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PhD student position
in medical sciences
with an orientation towards medical biochemistry
Description of the PhD project
Helicobacter pylori infects the stomach of more than 50% of the world population causing chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. Furthermore, H. pylori infection is tightly correlated with the development of gastric cancer, responsible for more than 500 000 mortalities/year. We are interested in the bacterial virulence factors, especially proteins involved in the mechanism(s) of bacterial attachment to the mucosal surface. We focus on the Blood Group Antigen Binding Adhesin, BabA, which is the key protein in the attachment of H. pylori to the stomach mucosa. Tight adherence is mediated by binding to carbohydrates such as gastro-intestinal mucosal ABO antigens (displayed by the common ABO blood group system). Our approach is to study H. pylori isolates from different parts of the world to see how the attachment proteins have adapted in different populations as well as to changes in the local environment, since we are interested in the use of adhesins for the development of vaccines.
The student will be involved in the study of these bacterial isolates to investigate phylogenetic traits based on sequence information. Adaptation in binding properties during infection will also be investigated by means of proteomics and biochemistry techniques, for investigation of formation of protein complexes and shifts in binding affinities.
Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry or related with a minimum of 240 ECTS (or equivalent).
Specific qualifications
Laboratory experience in molecular biology and biochemistry, including (DNA) sequencing and radioimmunoassays is highly desired. Experience in genotyping and phylogenetic studies as well as previous work with Helicobacter pylori is a merit.
Necessary language skills in English (both oral and writing skills).
Start date: July 1, 2009
Application Procedure
The application should be in English and should include certified copies of university certificates, including copies of all academic records, a curriculum vitae, a personal statement of motivation to participate in the PhD program and name and address of one person willing to act as reference.
Further information
For further information, please contact Professor Thomas Borén, phone: +46 (0)90 786 9360, e-mail: thomas.boren@medchem.umu.se
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”).
Other information
www.umu.se/medfak/utbildning/forskarutb/
handbok/Forskarutbildningshandboken_eng.pdf
Union information is available from SACO, (0)90-786 53 65, SEKO, (0)90-786 52 96 and ST, (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.
Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.
Your complete application, marked with reference number 313-523-09, should be sent to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive June 8, 2009 at the latest.
We look forward to receiving your application!
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