Doctoral Student in Tumor Biology Full-time

Doctoral Student in Tumor Biology

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world's top universities. The University has around 46,000 students and 8,500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the human condition.

The research group conducts experimental research on brain tumors and is led by Associate Professor Alexander Pietras. The group consists of a bioinformatician, two postdocs, two PhD students, and two research engineers. We are part of the Lund University Cancer Centre at Medicon Village and belong to the Division of Translational Cancer Research at the Department of Laboratory Medicine. We are currently seeking a motivated PhD student to work on the doctoral project “Functional validation of therapeutic targets in the brain tumor microenvironment” and to participate in the group's other research projects. The project, funded in part by a grant from the ERC, involves generating and analyzing large datasets of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data to describe brain tumor progression from initiation to recurrence, functionally validating new therapeutic targets based on these analyses using experimental models, and identifying novel avenues for targeted treatment against brain tumors. The focus of the present project is experimental validation and evaluation of therapeutic targets. More information about the group's research is available at https://pietraslab.com/ and https://bsky.app/profile/pietraslab.bsky.social.

As a workplace, we prioritize a positive working environment characterized by mutual respect and care in our interactions.

We offer particular benefits, generous annual leave, and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

Work duties and areas of responsibility include experimental work, data analysis, and compilation of results. The primary focus of the PhD project is work with experimental in vivo and in vitro models. Additional tasks may be included within the scope of the position. The doctoral student is expected to actively participate in seminars and other relevant meetings, as well as present the project at meetings in accordance with the study plan. The PhD student is personally responsible for:

• Seeking out colleagues who can best support discussions regarding the results.
• Identifying avenues for career support.
• Formulating, developing, and optimizing the channels of communication with supervisors and colleagues that best facilitate the doctoral student's work methods and progress.

Qualifications Requirements for employment are:

• A university degree, or equivalent foreign education, in medicine, biomedicine, or molecular biology.
• Experience with in vivo cancer models.
• Good communication skills in English.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. We are looking for someone who is driven, curious, and responsible. Since the research group operates in an international environment, strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively are essential. Additionally, the nature of the work requires that you are organized and able to prioritize your tasks efficiently.

Additional qualifications for the position are:

• Experience in isolation of relevant cell types such as primary astrocytes and myeloid cells from mouse models of glioblastoma.
• Documented training in tumor biology.

Temporary employment of four years, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance- HF 5 kap 7§ in Sweden. The employment is a full term position with the desired start date of 2026-07-01 or according to agreement.

Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who have completed a second-cycle degree, have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998:80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research, and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Applications are to be submitted via the University's recruitment system. The application should include a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a CV, degree certificates or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.).