Doctoral Student in Tumor Biology Full-time

Doctoral Student in Tumor Biology

Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine

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, led by Senior Lecturer Charlotte Rolny, conducts experimental and translational research on brain tumors and tumor dissemination. The group is part of Lund University Cancer Centre at Medicon Village and belongs to the Unit of Translational Cancer Research at the Department of Laboratory Medicine. Find out more here: Immuno-Oncology Group.

The research group studies how the tumor microenvironment influences cancer progression and metastatic dissemination, with a particular focus on tumor-associated macrophages, TAMs, and their interactions with cancer cells and tumor blood vessels. Previous studies from the group have shown that TAMs located in close proximity to tumor blood vessels, so-called perivascular TAMs, can promote vascular abnormalities and facilitate the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to secondary tumors.

We are now seeking a highly motivated doctoral student with an interest in tumor biology, tumor immunology, and metastasis. The doctoral project will focus on studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate how cancer cells disseminate from primary tumors to secondary tumors. Particular emphasis will be placed on how tumor-associated macrophages and signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment influence the invasive properties of cancer cells, their interactions with blood vessels, and their ability to establish metastases.

The project includes advanced molecular and cell biological methods, experimental tumor models, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and advanced image analysis. The project has a strong translational focus, in which experimental findings will be validated in clinically relevant patient material.

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave, and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee: Work at Lund University.

The doctoral project aims to increase our understanding of how cancer cells spread from primary tumors to secondary tumors, and how this process is influenced by the tumor microenvironment. The project will specifically investigate how tumor-associated macrophages, blood vessels, and recently identified signaling pathways contribute to cancer cell migration, invasion, intravasation, survival in the circulation, and establishment in new tissues.

The aims of the project are to:

• Identify cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive the dissemination of cancer cells from primary tumors to secondary tumors,
• Investigate how tumor-associated macrophages influence the invasive and metastatic properties of cancer cells,
• Study how the interplay between cancer cells, immune cells, and blood vessels contributes to metastatic dissemination,
• Identify new therapeutic targets that can inhibit the dissemination and establishment of secondary tumors,
• Map tumor microenvironment signatures associated with survival, treatment response, and relapse,
• Validate experimental findings in patient material to ensure clinical and translational relevance.

For examples of related research, see:

PMID: 38041815 PMID: 37142795 PMID: 33077599 PMID: 27197153

Requirements for employment are:

• MSc degree, or equivalent qualification from a foreign higher education institution, in medicine, biomedicine, molecular biology, or a related field, including FELASA C certification.
• Good communication skills in English.
• Good ability to collaborate with others.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. We are looking for a curious, responsible, and committed candidate with strong collaborative skills. You should be structured and able to organize and prioritize tasks in a dynamic research environment.

Meritorious qualifications for the position include:

• Experience working with animal models, flow cytometry, and multiplex analysis.

Type of employment: Limit of tenure, four years according to the Higher Education Ordinance (HF 5 kap 7§) in Sweden. The employment is a full term position with the desired start date of 1 August 2026 or according to agreement.

Eligibility: 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.)

The Faculty of Medicine is a part of Lund University, and is responsible for education and research within medicine and healthcare. Our academic programs are closely linked with the healthcare system and are firmly anchored in the faculty's strong research tradition. Our research spans a broad field within experimental preclinical research, near-patient clinical research, and health sciences research. The Faculty of Medicine, with its 1,800 employees and 2,700 students in Lund and Malmö, is a knowledge-intensive meeting place for students, teachers, and researchers from all over the world.

The Department of Laboratory Medicine is one of six departments at Lund University's Faculty of Medicine. We conduct leading research, both broad and specialized, within the field of laboratory medicine, focusing on the onset of disease and how we can improve diagnostics and treatment for patients. Some of our strongest areas with world-class research deal with cancer, genetics, and blood.

We kindly decline all sales and marketing contacts.

Type of employment – Temporary position

First day of employment – 1 August or by agreement

Salary – Monthly salary

Number of positions – 1

Full-time equivalent – 100

City – Lund

County – Skåne län

Country – Sweden

Reference number – PA2026/1893

Contact – Charlotte Rolny, charlotte.rolny@med.lu.se

Union representative – SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-2229366, sekocivil@seko.lu.seSACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-2220000, kansli@saco-s.lu.seOFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-2229362, st@st.lu.se

Published – 02.Jun.2026

Last application date – 24.Jun.2026