Doctoral student in Medical Science

Doctoral student in Medical Science - Extracellular vesicles in cancer

Reference number PAR 2025/11

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Doctoral position in Medical Science

The Department of Surgery is located at the Institute of Clinical Sciences at the Faculty of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.

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 this link.

The project will focus on extracellular vesicles, a heterogeneous group of bilayer membrane nanoparticles released by all cells and involved in all hallmarks of cancer. The overall aim of this project is to reveal novel extracellular vesicle-mediated mechanisms of cancer growth and progression. We have recently developed a state-of-the-art method to isolate highly purified EVs directly from tissues (Crescitelli R, Nature Protocols, 2021).

The PhD student will utilize this novel technology to explore the EVs released within tumor tissues under different conditions. Most of the work will be performed in mice melanoma tissue. However, thanks to the collaboration with Professor Roger Olofsson-Bagge, the PhD student will have access to nearly unlimited fresh and frozen human tumor samples. In collaboration with Professor Jan Lötvall, a pioneer in the EV field, the PhD student will have access to the most advanced techniques to isolate and characterize the EVs.

By optimizing the conditions to collect tumor tissue-derived EVs, we aim to shed light on the pathways by which cells in the tumor microenvironment communicate and how this contributes to tumor progression. The knowledge generated from this project will improve our basic understanding of EVs in cancer and will provide a platform for developing future therapies and diagnostics. The work includes the involvement of cellular and molecular methods, including cell culture, functional assays, and protein analyses, as well as the use of flow cytometry, electron microscopy, and advanced methods for the isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles.

The candidate should have a background in, for example, cell biology (cell culturing) and biochemistry (Western blotting). Experience in flow cytometry analysis will be advantageous. Familiarity with extracellular vesicles, mouse models, and mass spectrometry is an advantage. Ability to communicate in written and spoken English is necessary. Great importance will be given to personal qualities such as commitment, initiative, and cooperation skills.

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:

- specific knowledge and skills within the subject area and related research fields
- experience of scientific theory and relevant research methodology
- scientific analysis and presentation verified through an academic paper, degree project, scientific journals, or the like.

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 Clinical Sciences, Department of Surgery. 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 Clinical Sciences 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 Clinical Sciences 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:

Assistant supervisor, Jan Lötvall, Professor, Institute of Medicine,
e-mail: jan.lotvall@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 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: 2025-02-27

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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