PhD position at Lund University

Job Description

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Description of the workplace

We are looking for a full-time microbiology PhD student to work on the project ‘Bacteriophage-based ATMP for selective editing the oral microbiome’ co-funded by the National Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Research School. The project is hosted by the lab of Vasili Hauryliuk, Lund University, Department of Experimental Medical Science. The lab uses a combination of microbiological, biochemical and structural approaches to study interactions between bacteria and bacteriophages, with a special interest in antiphage defence systems. The lab closely collaborates with the bioinformatics lab led by Dr. Gemma Atkinson, https://atkinson-lab.com/. Co-supervisors are Julia Davies, Prodean/Professor of Oral Biology at Malmö University, and Marcus Johansson, associate researcher at Lund University.

Description of the project

Bacteria-infecting viruses, bacteriophages (or phages) hold great potential for selective engineering of polymicrobial communities such as those present in the oral cavity. The unique property of phage-based interventions is the ability to specifically target a bacterial species. To kill bacteria, phages need to overcome their defences such as CRISPR-Cas. Many new defence systems still await discovery and characterisation.  

Work duties and responsibilities

The main tasks of a doctoral student are to devote themselves to their doctoral education and therefore you will be both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.

This experimental molecular microbiology project will involve – but not limited to – the following: i) isolation and characterisation of bacteriophages infecting bacterial species with cariogenic potential,

ii) investigations of phage-bacteria interactions, with a focus on mechanistic studies of novel antiphage defence systems,

iii) development of a phage ‘cocktails’ for ‘editing’ oral microbiota.

Qualifications

Requirements for admission are:

completed a degree at advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits at advanced level, or in some other way within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge good ability to make use of the postgraduate education

Specific admission requirements are:

• at least 60 credits in the field of medical science
• applicants must have a knowledge of English equivalent to at least a 3-year upper secondary school diploma.

Requirements for employment are:

• Experience in microbiology
• Experience in molecular cloning
• Basic understanding of bacteriophage biology
• Ability to conceive, execute, and complete research projects independently
• Good command of both written and spoken English

Meritorious for the position are:

• Experience in phage isolation and characterisation
• Experience in biochemistry or/and structural biology

Great importance will be placed on how the applicant, through their experience and competence, is assessed to have the ability needed to complete the doctoral program.

Link: https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:833903/

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