PhD in Mass Spectrometry, Bioinformatics, and Precision Medicine

PhD Position in Mass Spectrometry, Bioinformatics, and Precision Medicine – Focus on Microbiota and Multiple Sclerosis

Are you interested in applying cutting-edge mass spectrometry techniques in a vibrant and collaborative research environment? Would you like to work alongside skilled, supportive colleagues in an international setting, at a university that values sustainability and offers excellent working conditions? If so, we invite you to apply for a PhD position at Uppsala University.

The Department of Medical Sciences is one of the largest clinical departments at Uppsala University, with approximately 250 employees and over 900 affiliated researchers connected through Uppsala University Hospital. Our research spans a broad spectrum of medical fields, closely integrated with clinical activities, and includes both fundamental studies and the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Learn more about us at www.medsci.uu.se.

Duties
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student with a background in mass spectrometry, analytical chemistry, or chemical engineering, and strong skills in bioinformatics, data analysis, and mathematics. The position is based in the interdisciplinary research group led by Associate Professor Kim Kultima at the Department of Medical Sciences. The group is internationally recognized for its work at the intersection of mass spectrometry, computational biology, and AI-driven precision medicine. Please read more about our research here.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation tools for understanding complex disease mechanisms by leveraging advanced mass spectrometry, bioinformatics, and large-scale biological data.

The project aims to explore the role of gut microbiota in the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) by identifying microbial metabolites in the bloodstream that may serve as markers of disease activity or treatment response. Using advanced mass spectrometry techniques (metabolomics, lipidomics, exposomics) and integrating these data with genomic, lifestyle, and clinical information, the project seeks to uncover novel molecular insights into MS progression and therapeutic strategies.

Your work will involve method development in LC-HRMS, as well as statistical and AI-based data integration. Both supervised and unsupervised learning methods will be employed for biomarker discovery and patient stratification based on molecular signatures.

The Kultima lab operates within an interdisciplinary research environment and collaborates closely with the Burman group (clinical MS research) and the Spjuth group (AI and predictive modeling). The team has recently published in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, BMC Medicine, and npj Digital Medicine. Our research is expanding in the areas of microbiota, environmental exposure, and biomarker discovery, with strong translational potential.

The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council, FORMAS, the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, and the Swedish Society for Medical Research (SSMF), ensuring access to state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure, high-performance computing resources, and a robust research network.

As a PhD student, your primary focus will be on your doctoral studies. Up to 20% of the position may include departmental duties such as teaching or administrative tasks. The standard duration of the doctoral program is four years full-time, extendable to five years with departmental service.

Requirements

• - Eligibility for admission to doctoral studies requires a Master's degree in chemical engineering, analytical chemistry, or a related field, and demonstrated proficiency in chemistry, mathematics, and bioinformatics.
  
  
• - Alternatively, candidates must have completed at least 240 higher education credits, including 60 at the advanced level, and an independent project of at least 15 credits.
  
  
• - Or, has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge through other means.

We place strong emphasis on motivation and personal suitability. Experience in mass spectrometry, omics data analysis, and programming in Python or R is essential. Candidates should have a genuine interest in mass spectrometry-based microbiota research and precision medicine.

Additional qualifications
Applicants should also have excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams. Fluency in spoken and written English is required; Swedish is considered a merit due to some teaching responsibilities. Positive academic references are mandatory. Experience working with high-performance computing, microbiome-related data, or metabolomics is highly advantageous.

Your application should include: a cover letter outlining your background, research interests, and motivation (max 1 page); a CV; a summary of your academic qualifications; a copy of your Master's diploma and transcript; a copy of your Master's thesis; contact details for at least two academic references; and any relevant publications.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. The scope of employment is 100 %. Starting date by agreement. Location: Uppsala.

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

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Kim Kultima at kim.kultima@medsci.uu.se.

We look forward to receiving your application by June 19th 2025. Reference number: UFV-PA 2025/1698.

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