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Two PhD student positions
in medical science with an orientation towards molecular biology
Two PhD position in the subject of “Molecular mechanisms of the interaction of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans in antifungal defence” are available now at the MIMS. The MIMS (The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden is a new laboratory at Umeå University with emphasis on the field of molecular infection as the Swedish node in the Nordic 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).
Description of the PhD project
Severe infections caused by the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans are increasing in immuno-compromised people worldwide. A functional innate immune system can suppress the development of diseases caused by fungi. The innate immune system has been shown to be essential for an efficient antifungal defense in humans. Among the professional host phagocytes from the innate immune system only neutrophils are able to kill C. albicans. This underlines the crucial role of neutrophils. However, the factors that mediate fungal killing are not well defined yet. Our group is in particular interested in the molecular interaction between C. albicans and neutrophils. We approach this by investigating both, the pathogen and the neutrophil. One project will focus on the identification of fungal targets attacked by antimicrobial neutrophil proteins. The other project will approach from the other side and study the evasion strategies of C. albicans against these neutrophil effectors. The combined knowledge will help us to find previously unknown targets for novel antifungal therapeutics. These are required since currently available medication have strong side effects, are limited in range and more resistant C. albicans strains are emerging.
Qualifications
Applicants must hold or anticipate receiving within the next months a University degree equivalent to a European University Master degree. Applicants should have a high interest in the field of molecular infection biology and be willing to take on a scientific and technical challenge. Prior hands-on experience in molecular biology and microbiology is highly desirable.
Special eligibility
In order to be accepted to postgraduate education, it is required that the applicant has the following:
- necessary knowledge from University higher education or corresponding education, and/or
- special professional experience that is assessed in relation to the postgraduate education area,
- 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
The group of Constantin Urban
(curban@mpiib-berlin.mpg.de, www.molbiol.umu.se,
Tel +46 90 785 3341)
The MIMS: www.ucmr.se/index.php?option=com_
content&task=blogcategory&id=96&Itemid=231
Start date
May 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”).
Other 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. The applications will be discarded or, if the applicant wishes, returned two years after the position has been filled.
Application procedure
The application should be in English and should include a coverletter with a brief statement of research experience and interests, a CV and two letters of reference (or the names of two referees).
Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.
Your complete application, marked with reference number 313-95-09, should be sent to jobb@umu.se or to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive March 31, 2009 at the latest.
We look forward receiving your application!
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