EU MSCA doctoral (PhD) position in Medical Cell Biology

EU MSCA doctoral (PhD) position in Medical Cell Biology – Development of Advanced Tissue Models

Admission to Doctoral (PhD) Studies in the subject of Medical Cell Biology
Dept. of Medical Cell Biology, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Uppsala University

About the Department
The Department of Medical Cell Biology conducts research and trains doctoral students in cell biology and physiology with a focus on diabetes, pharmacology, inflammation, cancer and neurobiology. We also teach students studying at various programs and independent courses in cell biology, physiology, neurobiology, anatomy and histology.

At the undergraduate level, the department is responsible for the teaching of anatomy, histology, cell biology and physiology for students on the medical program, the pharmacy program, the biomedicine program, the nursing program, the biomedical analyst program, the dietician program, the prescription program and on various independent courses. The department is also responsible for the master's program in biomedicine.

Read more about the Department here

Project description
This project is part of the EU-funded Print4Life, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) doctoral network led by Prof. Persson, group leader of Biomaterial. The network aims to provide Advanced Research Training for Additive Manufacturing of the Biomaterials and Tissues of the Future. You will be one of 17 doctoral students across the entire network, and one of two doctoral candidates based in this particular research group.

This specific doctoral position will be hosted at the Dept. of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University. This position focuses on the development of advanced tissue models for biomedical research. The main supervisor will be Associate Prof. Paul O’Callaghan (Dept. of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University), and co-supervisors Assistant Prof. Gry Hulsart Billström (PhD., Dept. of Medical Cell Biology) and Prof. Nils Hailer (Dept. of Surgical Sciences; Orthopaedics and Hand surgery, Uppsala University).

In living tissues, cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions establish signaling pathways that are critical for specific cell functions. Within this dynamic environment, a variety of external forces (including compression and shear) are exerted on cells and these in turn are relayed as biochemical signaling events through various molecular machines. These include, adhesions, which promote anchorage-dependent survival signaling, and mechanosensitive ion channels that regulate changes in plasma membrane tension, and has been associated with a wide array of functions. Additionally, differences in the structure and composition of the 3D microenvironment in normal and pathological tissues can impact the efficacy of treatment strategies.

Therefore, to better replicate tissue-specific cell behaviors and responses, advanced in vitro tissue models ideally need to account for the complexity of ECM composition, extracellular and intracellular forces, and reproduce specific microenvironmental conditions. This doctoral project will contribute to the development and evaluation of methods for bioprinting hydrogels (also referred to as bioinks) that support the development of better 3D in vitro models with such tissue-specific cell functions.

During this doctoral project you will undertake the following connected subprojects:

1. Integration of relevant extracellular matrix (ECM) components for bioprinting, using an open source bioprinting platform.
2. Incorporation of biomechanical cues such as compression and shear forces into the in vitro tissue models and evaluation of related cell responses.
3. Developing tissue models that incorporate microenvironments associated with pathological conditions, including bacterial infections and tumor-like ECM; and evaluating related therapeutic interventions.
4. Evaluate the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of the 3D tissue constructs.

Through these approaches, the project seeks to establish advanced in vitro tissue models that not only improve the physiological relevance of preclinical testing, but also aims to contribute to the translation of 3D-printed biomaterials into clinical practice.

Part of the research will be conducted in collaboration with other doctoral students, other academic institutions, and industry. The study period is planned to include short research secondments at the University of Minho, Portugal, and at ETH Zürich, Switzerland.

Duties
The main duty for a doctoral student is to focus on their research studies which includes participating in research projects and PhD courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

As a doctoral student you will:

• Conduct independent research in a laboratory environment and take responsibility for organizing and documenting your work
• Independently run projects within the specific subject of your thesis work
• Collaborate on an ongoing basis with other doctoral students and researchers to produce results within various projects and have one main and one or more co-supervisors for support during your doctoral studies.
• Participate in PhD courses and departmental activities
  Present your work at seminars and publish in scientific journals
  Undertake short research secondments at partner institutions
• Present a half-time seminar when half of your doctoral studies are completed.

When you are admitted to doctoral studies, you are offered employment as a doctoral student. A position as a doctoral student at Uppsala University corresponds to full-time PhD education for four years. Read more about being a Doctoral student at the Faculty of Medicine here.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in biomedical engineering, biotechnology, biological, or medical sciences field, or education in a related field considered equivalent to these qualifications.
• Documented experience and knowledge of cell biology, bioprinting, tissue engineering, biomaterials, hydrogel chemistry or additive manufacturing.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

To be eligible as a MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions) doctoral candidate, you must not have a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment, be enrolled in a doctoral program, and comply with a mobility rule requiring you to not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host country (Sweden) for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment (i.e. this includes online activities).

Additional qualifications
It is advantageous to have documented knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: 

• Fluorescence microscopy and image analysis
• Expertise in cell culture and molecular biology techniques
• Experience with additive manufacturing (3D-printing) technology
• Knowledge of microbiology and cancer cell biology

Great emphasis is put on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work. You have a good ability to work towards set goals and you work in a focused and well-organized manner to achieve them. You have good communication skills and cooperate well with others. You also have a good ability to write academic text.

Your application must include

• A short cover letter in which you describe yourself, why you want to do a PhD and why you are suitable for this position. 
• CV (max 2 pages)
• A certified copy of your master's degree and your course grades. 
• Copies (or drafts) of your master's thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you wish to refer to. 
• Names and contact details of at least two contact persons who have accepted to be references for you, with any additional letters of recommendation. It must also be stated what relationship you have had with the respective referent. 

The application should be written in English.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1st March 2026 or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

PhD students employed through the Marie Sklodowska Curie program will receive a salary in accordance with the Marie Curie regulations for doctoral candidates for the time of their fellowship (36 months). This means that gross salary (i.e. after deduction of employer’s taxes but including employee’s taxes) is approx. (pending exchange rates) 37 000 SEK / month (without family allowance). Employee’s national and local taxes will be deducted from this gross salary before payment of the net salary to the doctoral candidate.  At the end of the project an additional payment of salary may be done, if the average exchange rate during the entire project is higher than the estimated exchange rate.

For the remaining time of the studies, you will be employed on a regular PhD contract, according to the agreed salary ladder for PhD students. Follow this link to read more about financing for PhD students, and a local collective agreement for salaries for PhD students: https://www.uu.se/en/staff/gateway/doctoral-studies/working-and-employment-conditions-for-doctoral-students/forms-of-study-funding/doctoral-studentship

For further information about the position, please contact: Paul O’Callaghan; paul.ocallaghan@mcb.uu.se

Please submit your application by 31st December 2025, UFV-PA 2025/XXXX.

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