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

Project title: Anti-Inflammatory Synthetic Vesicle Therapeutics

Job assignments

The PhD 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 https://www.gu.se/en/sahlgrenska-akademin/doctoral-studies

Project: Asthma is a common but heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disease of the airway. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released into the extracellular environment by cells, where they communicate biological messages by transferring proteins and RNA. Due to this intrinsic ability by the EVs to transfer biological active molecules into cells they have been studied for drug delivery. However, the effectiveness of natural EVs as therapeutics has been limited. We work with two hypotheses 1) that by overexpressing certain molecules on the surface of the EVs they will be taken up more effectively by cells during inflammation and 2) that by creating artificially made vesicles so called synthetic vesicles (SyEVs) we can enhance the vesicles ability to deliver drugs or small biological molecules into the cells during inflammation.

We will transfect cells to express membrane proteins that binds to ligands and receptors on endothelial and epithelial cells during inflammation. We will then validate that these membrane proteins are also expressed on the surface of the SyEVs. Next the ability of the SyEVs to bind to and be taken up my cells during inflammation will be evaluated in depth in vitro to establish which membrane proteins stimulate the best uptake. Additionally, the SyEVs will be loaded with anti-inflammatory molecules and their anti-inflammatory properties will be evaluated in vitro. Lastly we will also use mouse models with allergen-induced inflammations to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the SyEVs in vivo. Extracellular vesicles have emerged as a future effective biological medicines platform, and the long-term goal with this project is to develop more efficient and better personalized medicines for individuals with different types of respiratory inflammation. 

We are looking for highly motivated candidates who are expected to be able to work independently as well in collaboration. Animal models are part of the projects and the candidate should be interested in running in vivo studies. Excellent knowledge in written and spoken English is essential. 

Third-cycle studies are equivalent to four year full-time and lead to a Degree of Doctor. Those appointed to doctoral studentships shall primarily devote themselves to their studies. Those appointed to doctoral studentships may, however, work to a limited extent with educational tasks, research and administration (departmental duties). Before a PhD degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20 per cent of a full-time post.

Eligibility

To be eligible for third-cycle studies, the applicant must meet both the general and specific entry requirements.

A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle studies if he or she:
1. has been awarded a second-cycle qualification
2. has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
3. has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad

A person meets the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in Medical Science if he or she has successfully completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies

Assessment

In selecting between applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements, their ability to benefit from third-cycle studies shall be taken into account. 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 thesis, degree project, scientific journals or the like.

Documented experience from hands-on laboratory work and knowledge in the field of extracellular vesicles is of merit. Working with processing, isolation and analysis of subpopulations of extracellular vesicles, cell cultures, modifying and isolation of artificial vesicles, and transfection of cells is desirable.

Employment

After admission to third-cycle studies you will be appointed to doctoral studentship. Regulations for employment of doctoral students are given in SFS 1993:100. The initial appointment may apply for no longer than one year. An appointment may be renewed for no more than two years at a time. A person may be appointed to a doctoral studentship for a total of eight years. The total employment period may, however, not exceed the time corresponding to full-time third-cycle study for four years.

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

Salaries for doctoral students are regulated in a local agreement at the University. 

For further information regarding the position

For more information about the project please contact:

Principal supervisor, Jan Lötvall, Professor, Institute of Medicine,
e-mail: jan.lotvall@gu.se 

Assistant supervisor, Cecilia Lässer, Institute of Medicine,
e-mail: cecilia.lasser@gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply

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:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

How to apply

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the 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 makes 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.

For information on what you need to submit in order to fulfill the English language requirement see https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Closing date: 2021-11-09

The University of Gothenburg promotes equal opportunities, equality and diversity.

Applications will be destroyed or returned (upon request) two years after the decision of employment has become final. Applications from the employed and from those who appeal the decision will not be returned.

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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