PhD student in metabolic and genomic sleep & chronobiology research

Published: 2022-12-27

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 54,000 students, more than 7,500 employees and a turnover of around SEK 8 billion.

A four-year fully funded position as a PhD student is now available at the Department of Medical Cell Biology, at Uppsala University, in Sweden. We are seeking highly motivated candidates who wish to study genomic and molecular aspects of sleep & circadian medicine (chronomedicine), and how these are modulated by lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet.

The focus will be on state-of-the-art interventional trials in sleep & circadian rhythms, with 24-h day and nighttime sampling for molecular analyses. The project will also entail unique opportunities for complementary preclinical studies. You will be able to learn and deploy a range of molecular and genomic techniques, ranging from RNA-sequencing to mass spectrometry-based metabolite & protein identification.

The project is hosted within the framework of the Uppsala Diabetes Center, which provides an even greater focus on multidisciplinary PhD candidate training, including carefully selected courses and tailored events that are scheduled throughout the academic year.

As a PhD student, you will conduct cutting-edge research in an environment that is highly interactive and equally collaborative. The department interacts closely with healthcare providers from the adjacent hospital, hosting all the prerequisites for bench to bedside research. This also comprises access to several unique cohorts for complementary epidemiological validation.

At the Department of Medical Cell Biology, we have access to facilities for sequencing, proteomics and bioinformatics, as well as animal research and in vitro-based studies. We also host several dedicated sleep rooms for interventional sleep and circadian studies, and collaborate closely with groups with expertise in diabetes, nutrition, molecular diagnostics and circadian bioinformatics.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University

Duties
The main tasks of the PhD candidate will be to help carry out advanced clinical research trials that involve both in-field and in-lab monitoring of participants and data collection. The PhD candidate will furthermore immerse themself in the doctoral studies in the relevant subject area, and learn how to analyze the collected data, including metabolomics and genomics data. Experienced supervisors will guide the student throughout the process, from planning the study, to study implementation and subsequent manuscript writing.

The PhD program comprises four years of full-time studies. Other meritorious duties at the institution relating to education and administrative work may take place (max. 20%), which extends the employment by up to one year.

You will be supervised by one main supervisor, and at least one co-supervisor.

Requirements
Eligibility for admission to graduate level education are those who have completed a degree at an advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or otherwise acquired essentially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country. The applicant must have basic university or college-level education in medicine, bioinformatics, biomedicine, biology, or related subjects. The applicant must be able to work independently, but also be good at teamwork. Furthermore, the applicant should be highly motivated, careful and goal-oriented. Applicants must be able to express themselves well, both orally and in writing, in English. Emphasis will especially be placed on documented experience of experimental work, statistical and bioinformatics analyses, as well as previous publications.

Additional qualifications
Prior research experience or interest in sleep, circadian biology, metabolism, and bioinformatics is desirable. Of relevance is also prior experience with clinical trials or clinical medicine, processing of large datasets, and basic knowledge in molecular biology and biostatistics. Knowing Swedish is advantageous. Particular emphasis will be placed on individual suitability, in terms of who is deemed to have the best conditions to implement the planned project.

The application should be written in Swedish or English, and should contain a curriculum vitae, and any prior project thesis and scientific publications. The application should also contain a personal letter, with a brief description of yourself, your motivation, skills and suitability for the position, as well as the names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of two reference persons.

The application should also contain (as attachments) copies of relevant diplomas and course transcripts. Applications are assessed according to eligibility, previous experience and individual suitability.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines .

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala, Sweden.

For further information about the position, please contact: Jonathan Cedernaes, [email protected]

Please submit your application by 10 February 2023, UFV-PA2022/5031.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden .  

Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services.

Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Placement: Department of Medical Cell Biology

Type of employment: Full time , Temporary position longer than 6 months

Pay: Fixed salary

Number of positions: 1

Working hours: 100 %

Town: Uppsala

County: Uppsala län

Country: Sweden

Union representative: ST/TCO [email protected]
Seko Universitetsklubben [email protected]
Saco-rådet [email protected]

Number of reference: UFV-PA 2022/5031

Last application date: 2023-02-10

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