PhD student (DDLS ) in Environmental RNA biology

Research at the Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute (MBW) experimentally addresses fundamental problems in molecular cell biology, integrative biology, and infection and immunobiology. State-of-the art and advanced methodologies are applied in a professional research environment characterized by its well-established international profile. The institute has 30 research groups with a research staff of 180, of which 65 are PhD students. Read more about MBW at the Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute (MBW).

Data-driven life science (DDLS) uses data, computational methods and artificial intelligence to study biological systems and processes at all levels, from molecular structures and cellular processes to human health and global ecosystems. The SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) aims to recruit and train the next generation of data-driven life scientists and to create globally leading computational and data science capabilities in Sweden. The program is funded with a total of 3.7 billion SEK (about 290 MUSD) over 12 years from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg (KAW) Foundation.

In 2025 the DDLS Research School will be expanded with the recruitment of 19 academic and 7 industrial PhD students. During the course of the DDLS program more than 260 PhD students and 200 postdocs will be part of the Research School. The DDLS program has four strategic research areas: cell and molecular biology, evolution and biodiversity, precision medicine and diagnostics, epidemiology and biology of infection. For more information, please see www.scilifelab.se/data-driven/ddls-research-school/

Data driven evolution and biodiversity concerns research that takes advantage of the massive data streams offered by techniques such as high-throughput sequencing of genomes and biomes, continuous recording of video and audio in the wild, high-throughput imaging of biological specimens, and large-scale remote monitoring of organisms or habitats.

The future of life science is data-driven. Will you be part of that change? Then join us in this unique program!

Project description

This PhD student position is in the research team of Associate Professor Marc Friedländer - part of the MBW Institute and located at the SciLifeLab. The team seeks to answer fundamental questions in RNA biology through quantitative approaches including custom next-generation sequencing and computational biology. Our group has recently started to study RNA traces in environmental samples including food, air and extinct and ancient animals such as the Tasmanian tiger and mammoth.

The project revolves around developing Traident – a new method to resolve the species origins and compositions of complex RNA sequence data. This will extend Kraken2 with analyses of ribosomal RNA and microRNA, and will apply deep learning to integrate the analysis flows. The PhD student will develop the method and apply to numerous in-house samples of environmental sequences, pushing the boundaries of RNA biology. The student will be working closely with wet-lab and dry-lab researchers in our team. Lab website: www.friedlanderlab.org

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific entry requirements are described in the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of molecular biosciences stipulates that applicants must have a completed university degree at an advanced level or at least 240 credits of university education (240 hp in the Swedish universities), including at least 120 hp at the bachelor level in molecular biology, biology, chemistry or similar subject. Candidates should have successfully completed courses at the advanced level in molecular biosciences or equivalent subject (at least 60 hp), of which at least 30 hp represent independent research project work. Candidates who have other documented qualifications, obtained in Sweden or elsewhere, that are judged to provide equivalent knowledge are also qualified.

Selection

The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:

• The candidate must have good programming/scripting skills.
• Previous experience with next-generation sequencing data, deep learning or RNA biology are advantages, but not required.
• capacity for analytical and creative thinking
• initiative
• independence
• ability to collaborate
• written and oral proficiency in English.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, please contact Associate Professor Marc Friedländer, phone: +46 7371 21558, marc.friedlander@scilifelab.se

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.