PhD student in molecular biology

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

Duties
As a PhD student in our research group, you will work on the development and application of new molecular techniques to study gene expression and molecular interactions in living cells with high spatial and temporal resolution. The work is part of a larger project focused on live-cell sequencing, where we combine chemical biology, molecular biology, and advanced microscopy.

See information here; https://www.furthlab.xyz/  

Examples of tasks include:

• Design and cloning of genetic constructs
• Optimization and validation of bioorthogonal labeling methods
• Fluorescence microscopy and image analysis of living cells
• Analysis of RNA and protein interactions at the single-molecule level
• Participation in collaborations with other research groups (both national and international)
• Presentation of results in writing and orally, both internally and at conferences

The project is interdisciplinary and well-suited for a candidate with a background in molecular biology, biotechnology, biophysics, or a related field. Strong emphasis is placed on curiosity, problem-solving ability, and interest, as well as documented experience in technology and method development.

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

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in biomedicine, biotechnology, chemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, molecular medicine, or related fields, or
• 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 acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way. 

The following experience and skills are required for the position:

• Practical experience with fluorescence microscopy, including live-cell imaging
• Experience with immunostaining techniques (IF/ICC)
• Hands-on skills in PCR, cloning, and handling of DNA/RNA
• Experience working with sequencing or sequencing preparation techniques

Additional qualifications

• Experience in bioinformatics or analysis of sequencing data
• Experience in microbiology, particularly work involving viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms
• Basic programming skills (e.g., in Python or R)
• Previous work in interdisciplinary research projects
• Experience with genetic modification of cells (e.g., transfection, CRISPR/Cas9)
• Knowledge of chemical biology or bioorthogonal labeling strategies
• Ability to present and communicate scientific results, both in writing and orally
• International experience or familiarity with working in a multilingual research environment

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: Daniel Fürth, 0768639542, furth@scilifelab.uu.se

Please submit your application by 24 June 2025, UFV-PA 2025/1485.

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