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PhD student position in medical science with an orientation towards virology
PhD position in the subject of “Molecular mechanisms of adenovirus attachment to target cells” is available at the Department of Clinical Microbiology and MIMS (The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden). MIMS is a new laboratory at Umeå University with emphasis on the field of molecular infection as the Swedish node in the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine that is formed together with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the new Nordic nodes for Molecular Medicine in Finland and Norway. The aim of this new initiative is to strengthen Swedish research and enhance the dynamics in the field of Molecular Medicine, partly by promoting the career opportunities for young scientists. The MIMS groups work in modern laboratories with well-equipped common facilities in a creative and highly interactive environment. MIMS is established within the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR): www.ucmr.se.
Description of the PhD project
Adenoviruses are common pathogens in humans and cause severe and sometimes life threatening infections, mainly in organs/tissues such as eyes, respiratory tract, intestine and kidneys. Currently, there are no antiviral drugs available against adenoviruses. The tropism of adenoviruses is to a large extent depending on their interactions with specific cellular receptors. Cellular receptors have been identified for some adenovirus types, but not for all. In this project we will set up a novel approach to identify cellular receptors for specific adenoviruses, and characterize viral ligand- cellular receptors structurally and functionally. These approaches may help to develop novel antiviral drugs against adenoviruses.
Qualifications
Applicants must hold or anticipate receiving within the next months a University degree equivalent to a European University Master degree in the field of molecular biology, biomedicine or equivalent. Applicants should have a high interest in the field of molecular virology and be willing to take on a scientific and technical challenge. Prior hands-on experience in work with species B adenovirus type 3, cell culture and binding experiments is highly desirable.
Special eligibility
In order to be accepted to postgraduate education, it is required that the applicant has the following:
1. necessary knowledge from university higher education or corresponding education, and/or
2. special professional experience that is assessed in relation to the postgraduate education area,
3. necessary English language skills, both in writing and in speaking.
Evaluation of these skills is made by having the intended PhD student present his/her research plan in English for the department board’s designated postgraduate education group.
Further information
Contact: Niklas Arnberg: 090-785 84 40, niklas.arnberg@climi.umu.se
Department of Clinical Microbiology/VIROLOGY: www8.umu.se/climi/inst/index_eng.html
MIMS: www.ucmr.se/index.php?option=com_
content&task=blogcategory&id=96&Itemid=231
Start date
June 1, 2009.
Salary/type of position
The salary is made up of a postgraduate student allowance (“utbildningsbidrag”) for the first two years and the salary successively increases according to a stipulated scale in the last two years of the PhD position (“doktorandtjänst”).
Further information
www.umu.se/medfak/utbildning/forskarutb/
handbok/Forskarutbildningshandboken_eng.pdf
Union information is available from SACO +46 (0)90-786 53 65,
SEKO civil +46 (0)90-786 52 96 and ST +46 (0)90-786 54 31.
The procedure for recruitment for the position is in accordance with the
Higher Education Ordinance (chapt. 12, 2 §) and the decision regarding the position cannot be appealed. Applications will be discarded or, if the applicant so wishes, returned two years after the position has been filled.
Application procedure
The application should be in English and should include a cover letter with a brief statement of research experience and interests, and a CV.
Your complete application, marked with reference number 313-353-09, should be sent to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive April 24, 2009 at the latest.
We look forward receiving your application!
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