PhD student in Molecular Biosciences

at the Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute. Closing date: 10 July 2024.

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 www.su.se/mbw.

Project description 
This PhD student position is available in the laboratory headed by Associate Professor Qiaolin Deng.The project addresses molecular mechanisms coupled to reveal human placental development in disease, and developmental programming effects mediated by the placenta. Disease-derived human trophoblast organoids will be established and further developed to incorporate multiple cell types. More importantly, microfluidic co-culture of placental organoids with metabolic tissue organoids (i.e. liver, heart, brain) will be established to investigate developmental programming effects in human. More information about the lab is found at www.thedenglab.org

Qualification requirements
In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, 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.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements, 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.

The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

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 should have documented knowledge in a field of molecular and cellular biology or other relevant fileds in biological sciences. The candidate needs to have proven track record for written proficiency and oral presentation in English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence in further developing the project. 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 are available at: www.su.se/rules and regulations.

Terms of employment 
Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.

The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.

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.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, seko@seko.su.se (SEKO), and PhD student representative, studentombud@sus.se.

Application
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of degree projects/theses
• Project proposal/Research proposal describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement 
  – why and how you wish to complete the project 
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question%]
• Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 6 files)
• Degree projects/theses (no more than 6 files).

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

You are welcome to apply!

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