PhD student in Molecular Biosciences

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 www.su.se/mbw.

Project description

This PhD student position is available in the laboratory headed by Associate Professor Qiaolin Deng. The project aims to addresses the molecular mechanisms underlying the intergenerational effects of maternal endocrine diseases in cardiomeatabolic health in offspring. We focus on the human placental development in disease, and their developmental programming effects mediated by tissue-tissue communication. Multiomic single-cell techinique such as RNAseq, ATACseq and spatial transcriptomics will be applied on human placentas from endocrine diseases including diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome to understand common and specific disease signatures. More importantly, microfluidic co-culture of placental organoids with metabolic tissue organoids (i.e. liver, heart, brain) will be established to investigate the molecular mechanisms of velopmental programming effects in human with focus on secretome, mitochondrial function and sateroidogenesis to reveal sex dimorphic effects.

More information about the lab is found at www.thedenglab.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 biology, stipulates that the applicant at the undergraduate level has at least 120 credits in molecular biology, biology, chemistry or the equivalent. And at least 60 credits at an advanced level in molecular biosciences or the equivalent, of which at least 30 credits must consist of an independent thesis project. 

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:

• Documented knowledge in a field of molecular and cellular biology or other relevant 
  fileds in biological sciences such as developmental biology, metabolism, immunology
• Proven track record for computational skills with experience of analyzing big data
• Written and oral proficiency in English
• Analytical thinking, independence and the ability to collaborate and teamwork.

The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, the quality of the degree project, references, relevant experience, interviews, and the candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position.

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 Qiaolin Deng, qiaolin.deng@su.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.