PhD student in Medical Sciences (Facial Nerve Palsy- FACE) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to the future of precision medicine by exploring why some patients with facial paralysis develop long-term complications? Would you like to work in an engaging, interdisciplinary research environment with close links between clinic and laboratory? Welcome to apply for a position as PhD student at Uppsala University.

The Department of Medical Sciences is a large clinical institution with more than 250 employees and over 900 additional coworkers connected via the Uppsala University Hospital. The Department of Medical Sciences has a broad research profile with strong research groups in a number of different areas. The research carried out at the department is performed in close connection with the clinical activities at the Uppsala University Hospital, which includes both basic studies on the causes of a variety of illnesses and the development and evaluation of improved diagnostics and new treatment methods. More information about the Department of Medical Sciences can be found at https://www.uu.se/en/department/medical-sciences

The position is located at the Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, within the Section of Clinical Neurophysiology. The research group, led by Professor Anna Rostedt Punga, conducts translational research on neuromuscular and neuroimmunological disorders, with a particular focus on myasthenia gravis and facial nerve palsy.

The FACE Project (Facial Nerve Palsy: A Comprehensive Exploration for Precision Medicine) is a multidisciplinary research initiative within a newly established Clinical Academic Group (CAG). It combines expertise in clinical neurophysiology, virology, immunology, plastic surgery, and clinical medicine to elucidate the mechanisms underlying facial nerve palsy and to develop novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The project is carried out in close collaboration with Uppsala University Hospital (Departments of Emergency Medicine, ENT, and Plastic Surgery) and the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM) at Uppsala University.

As a PhD student, you will be part of a dynamic and supportive research environment with strong clinical connections, access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, and an active national and international network. We value collaboration, professional growth, and sustainable working conditions.

Duties
The PhD project includes both clinical and experimental components, focusing on patients with facial nerve palsy. Primary tasks will include:

• participation in patient recruitment, clinical assessments, and sample collection,
• performing laboratory analyses (e.g., DNA, RNA, microRNA isolation, quality control with qPCR and NGS),
• contributing to data management, NGS and statistical analyses,
• preparing and presenting research findings at national and international conferences,
• completing doctoral courses

Requirements
To be eligible for admission to doctoral education, the applicant must have:

• a Master’s degree in medicine, biomedicine, or a related field, or
• completed at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits are at the advanced level, including an independent project of at least 15 credits.

We are seeking a candidate with a clinical background, such as a licensed physician, nurse, or biomedical scientist, with a strong interest in research and development.
Excellent skills in Swedish and English, both spoken and written, are required, as well as basic computer proficiency. The work requires good collaboration skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently.

Additional qualifications
Experience in any of the following areas is considered an advantage:

• clinical or patient-oriented research,
• laboratory work in molecular biology, virology, or immunology,
• neurophysiological methods or neurological disorders,
• bioinformatics.

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 is 50-60% of full-time. Starting date as agreed. Location: Uppsala.

Applicants who currently hold a clinical position within Region Uppsala will be able to pursue their doctoral studies as part of their existing employment. Candidates without a clinical employement in the region will be offered a doctoral position at Uppsala University, in accordance with the university’s doctoral student agreement.

For further information about the position, please contact: Professor Anna Rostedt Punga, e-mail: anna.punga@neuro.uu.se; phone: 018-4714941

Please submit your application by November 14th 2025, UFV-PA 2025/3161.

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