PhD student in organoid models and gene therapies for brain tumors

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University has a broad research profile with strong research groups focused on cancer, autoimmune and genetic diseases. A fundamental idea at the department is to stimulate translational research and thereby closer interactions between medical research and health care. Research is presently conducted in the following areas: medical and clinical genetics, clinical immunology, pathology, neuro biology, neuro-oncology, vascular biology, radiation science and molecular tools. Department activities are also integrated with the units for Oncology, Clinical Genetics, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Pathology, and Hospital Physics at Akademiska sjukhuset, Uppsala. The department has teaching assignments in several education programmes, including Master Programmes, at the Faculty of Medicine, and at the Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology. The department has a yearly turnover of around SEK 500 million, out of which more than half is made up of external funding. The staff amounts to approximately 345 employees, out of which 100 are PhD-students, and there are in total more than 700 affiliated people. Feel free to read more about the department's activities here: https://www.uu.se/en/department/immunology-genetics-and-pathology

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Duties
A PhD position is available in Fredrik Swartling’s research group at Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology. We are looking for a highly motivated individual to study organoid models of the brain and to develop gene therapies and antisense oligonucleotides for the treatment of malignant brain tumors. The group's work focuses on developing methods for cultivating brain tumor cells in organoids, studying changes in treatment-resistant cancer, and developing gene therapies based on adeno-associated viruses for malignant brain tumors in both children and adults.

The PhD position is a full-time appointment for a maximum of four years. The holder of the PhD position is primarily expected to pursue their own doctoral studies, but other duties such as teaching and administrative work may be included to a maximum of 20 percent of the position. The employment period will be extended in proportion to any teaching duties, to ensure four years of full-time doctoral studies.

Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in medicine, biomedicine, molecular biology, pharmacy, genetics or similar
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have documented practical experience of experimental research work on primary cell cultures, iPS cell differentiation and organoid development, virus vector design and production, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, antisense oligonucleotides and CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing are strongly encouraged.
• show good oral and written English skills

Additional qualifications
Previous studies and research experience with brain tumors or development of the brain will be seen as favourable.

You can find information about education at postgraduate level, eligibility requirements and admission regulations at https://www.uu.se/en/disciplinary-domain/medicine-and-pharmacy/study/doctoral-studies   

Selection of applicants is made by the supervisor in consultation with the department's postgraduate education group. The doctoral education committee in the discipline of medicine-pharmacy accepts the doctoral student.  Salary placement takes place according to local guidelines at Uppsala University.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Universitetslektor Fredrik Swartling, fredrik.swartling@igp.uu.se

Please submit your application by June 24 2025, UFV-PA 2025/1063.

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