PhD position - Chromosomal hybrids: A Source of Globally-Spread Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM) at Uppsala University provides a broad international environment for research and teaching. The Department's research covers three collaborative and partially integrated sections: Cancer, infections and immunity as well as genetics and genomics. More info: http://www.imbim.uu.se/research-areas/.

This position is partly funded by the Uppsala Antibiotic Center (UAC), and the recruited PhD student will be part of UAC’s graduate research school. UAC is a center for research, education, innovation & awareness founded in 2015 to bring together, stimulate and support important research on antibiotic resistance from all three disciplinary domains at Uppsala University: Medicine and Pharmacy, Science and Technology, and Humanities and Social Sciences. The doctoral student positions and graduate school are central parts of UAC with the goal of educating a new generation of researchers with broad knowledge and willingness to contribute to combating the problem of antibiotic resistance. For more information about UAC: Start - Uppsala Antibiotic Center - Uppsala University, Sweden (uu.se)

Project description: The Hughes research group at IMBIM, Uppsala University, is seeking a highly motivated candidate to pursue PhD studies into the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance. The research group investigates bacterial chromosome organization and mechanisms of evolution of resistance to antibiotics. Recent research suggests that the formation of chromosomal hybrids has contributed to the creation of globally widespread virulent and antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens. The mechanisms of hybrid formation, factors that influence their rates of formation, and the global prevalence of strains with hybrid chromosomes among clinical isolates are currently unknown. The candidate will develop experimental model systems to study the mechanisms and rates of formation of hybrid chromosomes in bacteria, use whole genome sequence analysis to study the genetic architecture of hybrid strains, and apply bioinformatic analysis to evaluate the prevalence of hybrid strains among clinical isolates. The project aims to clarify the factors that promote or constrain hybrid formation using a combined bioinformatic and experimental approach

Duties: The candidate will pursue PhD studies within the given research area. Other departmental tasks, for example teaching and/or administration, may be included up to a level not exceeding 20% of fulltime.

The selection is based on the following criteria: completion of the above qualifications, grades in relevant courses, suitability of the courses to the research program, previous experience in working and/or performing research in the wider area that relates to the project described above. An integrated assessment of the applicant is generated in order to employ the best possible candidate that can succeed in the doctoral studies and contribute to a positive development of the research program.

To be employed as a PhD student, the applicant must be accepted in the postgraduate program. Information concerning doctoral education, requirements and rules of admission can be found in: Medicine and Pharmacy - Uppsala University (uu.se). The length of the study period for full time employment is a maximum of four years. Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Further information about the position: Diarmaid Hughes, diarmaid.hughes@imbim.uu.se, +46736749343.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

Starting date: As soon as possible or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 §§ 1-7.

Scope of employment: 100 %

Please submit your application by June 7, 2021, UFV-PA 2021/1770.

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