MSCA-Doctoral student in Medical Science - Mucin domains in host-bacteria interactions

14 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Gothenburg

Research Field

Medical sciences » Medicine

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Sweden

Application Deadline

4 Mar 2024 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Reference Number

1035--1-33276

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

Doctoral position in Medical Science

Project title: Decoding the language of defense: The role of mucin domains in host-bacteria interactions

The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell biology, is located at the Institute of Biomedicine at the Faculty of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/doktorand/?languageId=100001&skipSSOCheck=true     

Duties   

The PhD education in Medical Science comprises carrying out a scientific project and completing at least 30 credits of courses at third-cycle level. The doctoral student must also write a scientific compilation thesis or monograph corresponding to at least 120 credits. For more information about third-cycle studies at Sahlgrenska Academy, see https://www.gu.se/en/sahlgrenska-akademin/doctoral-studies

Project: Epithelial cells protect tissues against external insults while controlling exchange with the outside environment. In the intestine, epithelial cell defects increase the susceptibility to bacterial infections and diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Intestinal epithelial cells are coated with a dense glycocalyx consisting of transmembrane glycoproteins called membrane mucins. Membrane mucins and the glycocalyx barrier are crucial for protection against bacterial attachment, while allowing nutrients and signaling molecules across the cell membrane. However, we lack basic insights into how the molecular build-up, layering, and segment-specific properties of membrane mucins meet the conflicting needs of the glycocalyx. Moreover, the molecular basis of how pathogenic bacteria breach the glycocalyx to infect epithelial cells remains elusive. 

The doctoral project is part of the European network SurfEx (https://surfex-project.eu/ ), funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks.

The doctoral student will identify the molecular determinants that regulate how the glycocalyx allows selective transport while shielding the epithelium against pathogenic onslaught. Specifically, the successful candidate will define how the configuration of the carbohydrate-rich PTS domain of membrane mucins contributes to the protective barrier properties of this elusive family of large glycoproteins. The research project involves the design of a combinatorial library of recombinant mucins for the discovery of molecular signatures critical for barrier function against bacteria with distinct infection mechanisms. The doctoral student will use the latest ex vivo time-lapse confocal imaging methods, cell lines, mouse models, patient-derived tissues, and advance the technological state-of-the art by developing organotypic tissue cultures to investigate the molecular properties of the glycocalyx barrier.

The successful candidate has documented qualifications in the relevant experimental methodologies within the fields of cell biology and microbiology, involving studies of cell lines, mouse models, gene and protein expression, and the use of advanced microscopy. Prior research experience in an academic laboratory environment is desirable. 

Education at third-cycle level comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.  As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.    

Eligibility   

Education at third-cycle level requires general eligibility and specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for education at third-cycle level are:    
1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or  
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.  
 
Specific entry requirements for this subject, according to the general syllabus, are: 
having completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies. 

Assessment criteria   

The selection of applicants who are considered to have the ability required to benefit from the study programme and who meet the general and specific eligibility requirements are assessed based on the following documented qualifications:
- specific knowledge and skills within the subject area and related research fields
- experience of scientific theory and relevant research methodology
- scientific analysis and presentation verified through thesis, degree project, scientific journals or the like.    

Employment   

Once you have been admitted for education at third-cycle level, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg. The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100. Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time. A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at third-cycle level for four years.   

The employment is an MSCA doctoral student employment within a Marie Skłodowska Curie Program with MSCA-financing. In order to be approved for MSCA financing the applicant, at the time for the application, should not have resided in Sweden more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date. Moreover, the applicant must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

Location: Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell biology. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: as agreed.

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.   

Contact information 

For more information about the project please contact:

Principal supervisor Malin EV Johansson, Professor, Institute of Biomedicine, 
e-mail: [email protected]

Assistant supervisor Thaher Pelaseyed, Associate Professor, Institute of Biomedicine, 
e-mail: [email protected]

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande      

Application   

You can apply to be admitted for education at third-cycle level via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.   

You must include the following, in pdf format

• Personal letter
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
• Proof of completion of English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies

If your degree is from a university outside of Sweden, make sure that you attach a diploma and full transcripts that makes assessing your degree easier.  

If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

For information on what you need to submit in order to fulfill the English language requirement see https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

 

Applications must be received by: 2024-03-05

 

 

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/  

  

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.

Requirements

Research Field

Medical sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Medical sciences » Medicine

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Gothenburg

Country

Sweden

City

Göteborg

Postal Code

40530

Street

Medicinaregatan 3

Where to apply

Website

https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/main?site=7&validator=9b89bead79bb725…

Contact

City

Göteborg

Street

Medicinaregatan 3

Postal Code

40530

STATUS: EXPIRED