Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has around 44 000 students and more than 8 000 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

The Faculty of Medicine is a part of Lund University, and is responsible for education and research within medicine and healthcare. Our academic programs are closely linked with the healthcare system and are firmly anchored in the faculty’s strong research tradition. Our research spans a broad field within experimental preclinical research, near-patient clinical research and health sciences research. The Faculty of Medicine, with its 1,800 employees and 2,700 students in Lund and Malmö, is a knowledge-intensive meeting place for students, teachers and researchers from all over the world.

Background

In the Hauryliuk lab we work on deciphering the molecular mechanisms implicated in bacterial virulence, tolerance to stress, resistance to antibiotics, and refractivity to phage infection [1-5]. We use a powerful combination microbiological, biochemical, functional genomics and structural biology techniques, and work in close collaboration with the bioinformatics group of Gemma C. Atkinson (see https://atkinson-lab.com/ ). The joint lab is based in the Department of Experimental Medical Sciences in the Biomedical Centre (BMC) in Lund. You can learn more about the department here: https://www.medicine.lu.se/faculty-medicine-lund-university/departments/department- experimental-medical-science

One of the research directions in the lab is study of toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems of bacteria and bacteriophages. One of the novel TA toxins discovered in the lab are so-called toxSAS enzymes that inhibit bacterial growth though producing poisonous nucleotides (see our recent paper in PNAS [4]) or modifying tRNA (see our recent paper in Molecular Cell [5]). In 2020, our work on discovering and characterizing novel toxin-antitoxins was supported by a generous grant from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundation (see se https://kaw.Wallenberg.org/grundforskning-djupt-inne-i-bakteriernas-arvsmassa, in Swedish). The fundamental studies of TAs lay the foundation for developing them into new biotechnological tools. Since TAs constitute a mechanism of defence against bacteriophages, our research also important for understanding and eventually overcoming natural barriers to phage therapy for treating antibiotic resistant infections.

We are looking for an experimental full-time PhD student to work our explorative toxin-antitoxin research program. In our group, we strive for a supportive, respectful and stimulating working environment that promotes personal and professional development for all members.

Start date is by agreement.

References

1. Roghanian M. et al. Molecular Cell, 81(16), 3310-3322.e6 (2021)
2. Crowe-McAuliffe C. et al. Nature Communications, 12(1):3577 (2021)
3. Crowe-McAuliffe C. et al. Molecular Cell, 81(1):115-126.e7 (2021)
4. Jimmy S. et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 117, 10500-10510, (2020)
5. Kurata T. et al. Molecular Cell 81, 3160-3170 e3169, (2021)

Job assignment 

In this PhD project you will be a part of the project that will focus on toxin-antitoxin systems, but you will also have opportunities to broaden your horizons and work on other molecular systems studied in the lab. 

You will have the opportunity to attend and present your work at international meetings.

Qualifications 

Required qualifications 

-Familiarity with molecular microbiology techniques

-Familiarity with recombinant DNA technology

-Background understanding of molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics

-Proficiency in spoken and written English

Desired qualifications 

-Experience in working with bacteriophages

-Experience in protein and / or RNA biochemistry

-Experience in microbiological and biological analysis of protein synthesis

-Experience in microbiological and biological analysis of toxin-antitoxin systems

Include in your application:

–A cover letter explaining your interest in the project and your previous relevant experience

-A full CV with contact details of two referees

-Bachelors and Masters certificates

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment

Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset. We kindly decline all sales and marketing contacts.

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