MSCA PhD Student in Neuroscience – Cellular Brain Models of Alzheimer’s Disease Full-time

MSCA PhD Student in Neuroscience – Cellular Brain Models of Alzheimer's Disease

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.

Description of the Workplace

The Stem Cells, Aging and Neurodegeneration group is using stem cell, reprogramming and genome engineering to study and develop therapies for neurodegenerative disorders and brain tumors.

The group is led by Associate professor Henrik Ahlenius and includes two post-docs, two associate researchers and a few master students with different nationalities and professional background. The group is placed at the biomedical center (BMC), Department of Experimental Medical Science and part of several Strategic Research Areas (SRAs) in stem cells (StemTherapy), neurodegeneration (MultiPark) and cancer (LUCC) at LU. Read more about the team HERE.

We are looking for an experienced and ambitious doctoral candidate to broaden and strengthen our expertise in advanced cell-based 3D tissue models and modeling of neurodegenerative disorders.

As a work place we value an open, inclusive and equal work environment.

Project Description

You will work with the continued development, validation and use of novel reprogramming technologies, 3D tissue models and genome engineered pluripotent stem cell-based models of Alzheimer's disease. The work includes both development of new models as well as using established models to study the role of glial cells in Alzheimer's disease.

The project is part of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network VISI-ON-BRAIN which aims to train doctoral candidates in cutting-edge strategies to model brain disorders. The ultimate goal of VISI-ON-BRAIN is to train a new generation of scientists with the skills to advance therapeutic discovery.

Read more about VISI-ON-BRAIN here and here.

Project Reference: 101227124

Tasks and Responsibilities

The main task for a doctoral student is to devote yourself to your doctoral studies, therefore you will be both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.

You will be responsible for planning and performing research to further the development and use of genome engineering of pluripotent stem cells as well as reprogramming pluripotent cells to neural and non-neural cells. The results from these studies will be the basis for creating and studying glial cell interactions in state of the art cell-based 3D tissue models of Alzheimer's disease.

The work includes genome engineering of pluripotent stem cells, cellular reprogramming; molecular cloning, vector design, omics and bioinformatics as well as cellular, molecular and functional assays mainly in vitro.

The main task is laboratory and analysis work. In addition, presenting your research nationally and internationally, writing research articles as well as grant applications is part of the job description. Some supervision and teaching might be included.

You will be part of two vibrant strategic research areas and have access to several career development activities.

What We Offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means that you get special benefits, generous holidays and a favourable occupational pension. As a doctoral student at Lund University, you are both admitted as a student and employed, which gives you several benefits. Read more about being admitted and employed at the university's website.

Lund University has generous support for parental leave and favourable offers for training and wellness.

Find out more on the University website about working with us Work for us

As part of VISI-ON-BRAIN you will be entitled to the MSCA allowances package (living + mobility; family allowance if applicable), in accordance with programme rules

Qualifications

Requirements for the position are:

• a second-cycle degree, completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the second-cycle level, or in some other way acquired essentially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.
• good ability to utilize the doctoral studies

The employment requirements are:

• Must not already hold a PhD/doctoral degree
• MSCA mobility rules apply: The applicant must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work/studies) in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
• Second cycle education within cellular and molecular biology, neurobiology, biotechnology or similar
• Positive attitude, hard working and a drive to succeed
• Strong background in cell and molecular biology
• Excellent team player
• Good at taking own initiatives
• Excellent communication and collaborative skills
• Good command of the English language
• Experience working with pluripotent stem cells

Merits for the position are:

• Experience from genome engineering and inducible systems
• Experience from cellular reprogramming towards neural linages
• Experience with cellular, tissue and disease models
• Experience with fluorescence and confocal microscopy, imaging and analysis using imaging software
• Experienced with microfluidics and/or on-chip solutions
• Experience from neural 3D cultures such as organoids/spheroids
• Great emphasis will be placed on how the applicant, through his/her experience and competence, is judged to have the ability needed to complete the doctoral studies

About the Employment

The position is a fixed-term, full-time appointment (100%) for a total of four years, with a start date no earlier than 1 September 2026 and no later than 1 December 2026.

Rules and regulations concerning employment as a doctoral student can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. Provisions regarding admission to doctoral studies are found in Chapter 6, Section 3 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). More information is available on the university's website

How to Apply

The application should include the following:

• Personal letter (max 1 page) including description of how you fulfill the requirements
• Short CV
• Graduation certificate
• 2 Reference letters