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Your work assignments

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part of. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

Our research focuses on neonatal brain injury, and we use in vivo and in vitro models for preclinical studies. Your main project will focus on the role of peripheral immune cells in a model of neonatal hypoxia ischemia. In this context, you will characterize the involvement of cells of the innate immune system, primarily monocyte-derived macrophages. You will use RNA interference as a novel therapeutic approach and test both in vitro and in vivo models of neonatal hypoxia ischemia.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary research group at Linköping University, participate in regular lab meetings and collaborate in related projects with other lab members. Initially, you will receive close support and are expected to gradually take on increasing responsibility for one or more sub-projects leading up to the thesis.

You will be supervised by Drs. Ulrika Ådén and Elena Di Martino at Linköping University, and with co-supervision by Dr. Jennifer Dowling at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Your qualifications

You have graduated at master’s level preferably in neuroscience, immunology, biotechnology or related biomedical sciences field, or you have completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses in the aforementioned areas. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.

You are expected to have at least basic experience in the following techniques:

• cell culture
• ELISA, western blot
• DNA and RNA extraction, qRT-PCR
• immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence
• microscopy and stereology
• laboratory animal handling and behavior assessments
• data analysis using GraphPad Prism

Experience in the following is not required but will be considered a plus:

• flow cytometry and basic data analysis using FlowJo
• coding and data analysis using R or Python

Meriting:

• FELASA certification to work with laboratory animals
• background knowledge of the perinatal brain development and neuroinflammation
• previous involvement in scientific writing

Besides knowledge and practical skills, it is equally important to be an integral character, with the ability to work responsibly both independently and as part of an interactive research team. We are looking for the right fit that could function well and thrive in our transdisciplinary group, and thus personal traits are of great importance. You are expected to be persistent, adaptable, well-organized, have attention to detail, and a strong commitment to research excellence.

Lastly, you must meet the specific eligibility requirements for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education in English language proficiency (equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school).

You are expected to submit a personal statement describing the relevant knowledge and experience pertaining to the aforementioned requirements and should provide the names and contact details of three references that could attest to your character, skills and experience should questions arise.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Your workplace

Your primary workplace will be at Linköping University’s Medical Campus, located adjacent to Linköping University Hospital, in a translational research environment with close interaction between clinical and laboratory scientists.

The project is carried out within the Division of Children's and Women's health that is part of the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV). You will have access to relevant research infrastructure and methodological support. You will be part of a multidisciplinary research environment with collaborations between academic and clinical units.

You will spend a 3-month period in your co-supervisors’ laboratory in Ireland as part of your PhD education and doctoral project.

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. För Medfak: In connection with your admission to the doctoral program, your employment as a PhD student is handled. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of four years’ full-time equivalent. You will initially be employed for a period of one year. The employment will subsequently be renewed for periods of maximum duration two years, depending on your progress through the study plan. The employment may be extended up to a maximum of five years, based on the amount of teaching and departmental duties you have carried out. Further extensions can be granted in special circumstances.

Starting date by agreement, preferably no later than January 2027.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later thanno later than 31^st of July.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.