Doctoral student in Medical Science

Doctoral student in Medical Science - Aggressive B-cell lymphoma

Reference number PAR 2025/4

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Doctoral position in Medical Science

The Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition is located at the Institute of Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. At the Department, research in several different areas is conducted, such as endocrinology, hematology, gastroenterology, hypertension, pulmonary medicine, allergology, and clinical nutrition. Research is focused on body composition and energy metabolism, in close cooperation with health care at both the Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Mölndal hospital.

Doctoral 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 here.

Project: Despite advances in both treatment and genetic classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), between 30 to 40% still die from the disease. DLBCL is a heterogeneous disease where both the malignant clone and the tumor microenvironment contribute to the variable clinical picture. The complexity can probably not only be explained by genetic changes, and it can also be difficult to predict whether such changes really affect protein expression and thus the properties of the tumor cell.

By performing parallel studies of global protein and gene expression in tumor tissue from high-risk patients, we have found over-expression of interferon-stimulated proteins, which previously has not been described in DLBCL, appearing to affect both prognosis and response to treatment. Interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) play an important role primarily in antiviral immunity, but in recent years it has become increasingly clear that they can also affect immunosuppressive mechanisms in various forms of cancer, inducing both tumor progression and treatment resistance.

The purpose of the project is to test the hypothesis that interferon-stimulated proteins have prognostic significance and influence the emergence of treatment resistance in DLBCL. The specific objectives are:

1. To investigate the prognostic value of digital immunohistochemical analysis of interferon-stimulated proteins in large patient materials.

2. To investigate the functional role of these proteins in DLBCL:

1. Through in vitro studies in different DLBCL cell lines.

2. By mapping activity and relevance in associated signaling pathways.

3. By investigating the therapeutic effect of blocking/downregulation of such genes/proteins, as proof-of-concept in vivo, in DLBCL mouse models.

The applicant is expected to have excellent communication skills in English, both spoken and written. Furthermore, the applicant should be able to work independently, have good organizational and initiative skills, and a pronounced drive for performing research. Great emphasis will be attached to personal suitability.

Doctoral studies comprise four years of full-time study, leading 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, resulting in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels but may also include research and administration.

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies 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 successfully completed the English B/6 course or being considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies.

Assessment criteria

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies. The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for:

1. Specific knowledge and skills within the subject area and related research fields.

2. Experience of scientific theory and relevant research methodology.

3. Scientific analysis and presentation verified through an academic paper, degree project, scientific journals, or the like.

Documented experience with experimental studies in cell culture is advantageous, as is experience with histological methods, RNA/protein preparation, and knowledge of PCR and RNA sequencing. Furthermore, experience of working with mouse models is advantageous.

Admission and employment

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, 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 SFS1993:100. 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 doctoral level for four years.

Location: Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: as agreed.

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

Please note, doctoral studies at the Institute of Medicine require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, the Institute of Medicine has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Contact information

For more information about the project please contact principal supervisor,
Per-Ola Andersson, Professor, Institute of Medicine,
e-mail: per-ola.andersson@medic.gu.se

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this 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 make 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.

Applications must be received by: 2025-01-30

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:

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.

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