PhD student in Xingqi Chen group

PhD student in Xingqi Chen group

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 student position is available for highly motivated individuals with interest in single cell biology join the unit of molecular tools at Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology.  The PhD student would be supervised under Dr.Xingqi Chen. Research in this project is to understand the tumor metastasis.

This project aims to (1) delineate the epigenetic landscape of brain metastases, (2) identify dynamic chromatin accessibility changes associated with metastatic relapse, and (3) map tumor-microenvironment interactions that support brain colonization.

We will analyze paired primary and relapsed clinical samples with brain metastasis. Using single-cell epigenetic profiling technologies, we will generate high-resolution profiles of chromatin accessibility to uncover regulatory elements and transcriptional programs unique to metastatic cells.

Further information on the activity of the research group can be accessed at http://igp.uu.se/research/molecular_tools/xingqi-chen/

The successful candidate will devote most of the time towards his/her research level education. Other service activities within the department, e.g. education and administrative work can be included within the framework of the employment (maximum 20%). The position will be extended with the time devoted to teaching to allow four years of fulltime graduate studies.

Requirements

To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in molecular biology, pharmaceutical technology, biotechnology, or similar fields 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 30 credits. Prior experience in cancer research Prior lab experience in molecular and cell biology, such as PCR, flow cytometry, cell culture and etc. Prior experience in the computational biology, e.g. data analysis of bulk RNA sequencing and scRNA sequencing. Documented experience in image analysis by ImageJ or QuPath. Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Additional qualifications

Have experience with animal modelling Have experience in handling with clinical samples, such as FFPE Familiar with the process of immunochemistry

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: Xingqi Chen, xingqi.chen@igp.uu.se

Please submit your application by 14 October 2025, UFV-PA 2025/2620.

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