PhD student in Molecular Biosciences

Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute.

Closing date: 4 February 2022.

Research at 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 Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) is a collaboration between four universities in Stockholm and Uppsala: Stockholm University, the Karolinska Institute, the Royal Institute of Technology, and Uppsala University. The SciLifeLab is a national centre for large-scale biosciences with a focus on health and environmental research. The centre combines advanced technical know-how and cutting-edge equipment with a broad knowledge in translational medicine and molecular biosciences.

Project description
This PhD student position is available in the group headed by Associate Professor Marc Friedländer – part of the MBW Institute and located at the SciLifeLab. The group seeks to answer fundamental questions in RNA biology through quantitative approaches such as single-cell omics and new screening methods in combination with computational biology. Read more about Group Friedländer here. 

The purpose of the project is to discover novel microRNAs that are cancer-specific and not found in healthy tissues – by applying advanced computational methods to massively pooled next-generation sequencing data from cohorts of healthy and diseased tissues. In addition, the student will apply various multi-omics approaches to further characterize novel cancer-specific microRNAs. The student will work in close collaboration with wet-lab biologists and will be actively engaged in multiple levels of the projects. 

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 Biosciences stipulates that applicants must have obtained at least 120 credits in molecular biology, biology, chemistry or the equivalent at the undergraduate level 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 candidates’ documented knowledge in a relevant field of research, written and oral proficiency in English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence. 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.