Description of the business

The Lung Biology research group at the Department of Experimental Medical Sciences is led by Prof. Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson. The group’s main task is to investigate mechanisms behind chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). With our research, we hope to identify new treatments to regenerate lung tissue. The group consists of approximately 15 people (doctoral students, postdocs, senior researchers, research coordinators, lab technicians) with expertise in, among other things, cell and matrix biology, bioengineering, physiology and histopathology. The group has close collaboration with clinics at Skåne University Hospital (Dr. Akbarshahi and Prof. Brunnström) and Sahlgrenska Hospital (Prof. Dellgren). The group has its premises at BMC C12 in Lund. The group is constantly working to create conditions for job satisfaction, development and participation for all employees, e.g. by having regular group meetings and retreats.

Project description

https://www.lu.se/lucat/group/v1000379

https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/arturo-ibáñez-fonseca

https://portal.research.lu.se/sv/persons/gunilla-westergren-thorsson

The project is about how extracellular matrix changes in the microenvironment of lung tissue affect chronic lung diseases. We will use and require good knowledge in proteomics, transcriptomics and 3D cultivation of primary and progenitor cells in hydrogels. The position includes a) investigating proteomic changes in lung tissue in COPD, b) developing and characterizing lung-like extracellular matrix equivalents, c) identifying biomarkers for disease progression in COPD using clinical material (serum/blood and lung biopsies).

Job 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.

You will work with 3D hydrogels of elastin biopolymer for cell culture of lung cells with subsequent analyses of cell activity and image analysis such as “live cell imaging”.

You will use mass spectrometry methods to analyze the proteomic profile in different types of samples such as blood and tissue. The analyses are followed by advanced bioinformatics and biostatistics and with simpler programming from an AI perspective.

You will stain and analyze staining of lung tissue and 3D cell cultures.

You are expected to take part in the lab’s common tasks such as handling human lung tissue (hepatitis B vaccination a requirement) and maintenance of the lab.

You are expected to present internally and externally, participate in meetings and conferences both within and outside Sweden.

You are expected to write applications and supervise undergraduate students.

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 benefit from the BSc and MSc postgraduate education in biomedicine.

Requirements for the position are:

• Good knowledge in the subject of lung biology, chronic lung diseases such as COPD and IPF, cell and matrix biology and bioengineering.
• Advanced experience in:
  • o ‘Click chemistry’.

Culturing of various primary cells, such as alveolar epithelium (including iPS organoids) and mesenchymal cells. 3D cell culture with elastin-based hydrogels. Sample preparation for mass spectrometry with biopsies. Isolation and analysis of RNA by RNA sequencing. Data analysis with R and other bioinformatics tools (Fiji/ImageJ). Staining techniques such as histology, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, as well as advanced microscopy (confocal, live imaging) and image analysis. ELISA. Wound healing assay. Competencies/personal qualities required to perform the work as a doctoral student: self-motivated, persistent writing skills, initiative and collaboration skills.

Qualifications for the position include:

• Knowledge of Swedish, both spoken and written, to be able to communicate with healthcare.
• Experience with trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER).
• Experience with qPCR and Western blot.

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.

We offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means you receive special benefits, generous vacation time and a favorable occupational pension.

As a doctoral student at Lund University, you are both admitted as a student and an employee, which provides several benefits. Read more about being admitted and employed at on the university’s website.

Read more on the university’s website about being employed by us. Work with us

About the employment

The position is a fixed-term position for a total of four years, 100% with a start date of 2025-09-15 or as agreed. The main rule is that employment at Lund University is conducted in Sweden, so you are expected to be able to perform your work on site in Lund.

Provisions regarding employment as a doctoral student are found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. Provisions regarding admission to doctoral studies are found in Chapter 6, Section 3 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). More information is available on the university’s website.

Other

For doctoral students, there is a specific salary scale linked to each faculty and salary is set according to the current salary scale.

Contact persons: Arturo Ibáñez Fonseca arturo.ibanez-fonseca@med.lu.se;

Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson gunilla.westergren-thorsson@med.lu.se 

How to search

The position is applied for via the university’s recruitment system. The application must include a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the position matches your qualifications. The application must also include a CV and information for references.

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