PhD student position in Surgery

PhD student position in Surgery

PhD student position in Surgery

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 46 000 students and 8 500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences.  We regard equality, equal opportunities and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Description of the Workplace

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. The University has approximately 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of humankind. 

The Faculty of Medicine is one of Lund University's faculties and is responsible for education and research in medicine, nursing, and health sciences. Education is conducted in close collaboration with the healthcare sector and is firmly rooted in the Faculty's strong research tradition. The Faculty's research spans a broad range of areas, including experimental basic research, patient-oriented clinical research, and health sciences research.

With more than 1,800 employees and 3,000 students in Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg, the Faculty of Medicine is a knowledge-intensive environment where students, teachers, and researchers from all over the world meet and collaborate.

The Department of Clinical Sciences Lund (IKVL) is one of six departments within the Faculty of Medicine. The department maintains extensive collaborations both within the Faculty and with other parts of the University. IKVL also has well-established collaborations with Skåne University Hospital (SUS), Region Skåne, and external partners in society and industry. These collaborations aim to promote clinical and experimental translational research, development, and education.

The research group is now recruiting a doctoral student (full-time, 100%) with a start date of 1 November 2026, or as otherwise agreed.

Description of the Doctoral Project and Research Group

The doctoral position is based in the Pancreatology Research Group within the Division of Surgery at Lund University. The group's research focuses on pancreatic cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of human malignancy. Pancreatic cancer is often detected at an advanced stage, and effective treatments remain limited. Our strategy combines clinical patient materials with advanced protein research to identify novel biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and treatment response.

The research group consists of two research engineers, several full-time and part-time doctoral students, and clinicians affiliated with the group. We value a positive work environment characterized by respect and consideration in our interactions with one another. We continuously strive to create conditions that promote job satisfaction, professional development, and participation for all employees.

Duties and Responsibilities

The doctoral student will work within a translational research project on pancreatic cancer, focusing on disease biology and prognosis. The project combines data from cancer registries and clinical materials with histopathological analyses and spatial proteomics.

The overall aim is to identify novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers and to improve our understanding of pancreatic cancer progression and treatment response.

The duties will include:

• Managing data from cancer registries and clinical databases and integrating these with histopathological and molecular data.
• Interpreting histopathological findings and spatial proteomics data in relation to tumour characteristics, metastatic patterns, and clinical outcomes.
• Conducting statistical analyses of prognostic and predictive factors and investigating associations between tumour biology, biomarkers, metastasis, and survival.
• Compiling and presenting research findings in scientific manuscripts and at national and international conferences.

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate a strong ability and willingness to collaborate with colleagues within the research group. Additional duties related to the position may be assigned.

We Offer

Lund University is a public authority, which means that employees are entitled to a range of attractive benefits, generous annual leave, and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. We also offer flexible working hours that support a healthy work-life balance.

Read more about working at Lund University on the University's website. Work at Lund University 

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the general entry requirements for third-cycle (doctoral) studies. A person meets the general entry requirements if they have:

• completed a second-cycle degree;
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level; or
• acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

Required Qualifications

Previous research experience in pancreatic cancer research is required. Excellent command of spoken and written English. Ability to conduct and document research in a structured and systematic manner.

We are looking for a curious, motivated, and highly engaged candidate with a strong interest in translational cancer research. The position involves close collaboration with colleagues, and therefore strong interpersonal and teamwork skills are essential.

Meritorious Qualifications

A publication record in peer-reviewed journals within the field of pancreatic cancer is considered an asset.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the general entry requirements for third cycle (doctoral) studies. A person meets the general entry requirements if they have:

• completed a second-cycle degree;
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level; or
• acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

Assessment Criteria

Regulations concerning employment as a doctoral student are set out in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1998:80). Only applicants who are admitted to third-cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.

In the appointment process, primary consideration will be given to the applicant's ability to successfully complete doctoral studies. In addition to pursuing their own doctoral education, the holder of the position may be required to undertake duties related to education, research, and administrative work in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance.

Terms of Employment

This is a fixed-term position of four years in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 7 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through Lund University's recruitment system.

The application should include:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position.
• A curriculum vitae (CV).
• Degree certificates, academic transcripts, and any other relevant supporting documentation.
• Any additional documents you wish to submit in support of your application.
• Contact information for at least two professional references. 

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.

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