PhD Student in Medicine

Lund University

Lund University, 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.

Section of Oncology, RNA Therapeutics in Cancer

Anders Wittrup research group (RNA Therapeutics in Cancer), is located on the Gunnar Nilsson floor of Kamprad House, in close proximity to the Oncology Clinic at Skåne University Hospital (SUS) in Lund. The floor hosts several laboratories that primarily focus on primary brain tumors. The Wittrup group works with a range of techniques to improve RNA delivery to tumors, as well as developing methods to study and characterize these processes.

Within the research group, we highly value a positive work environment characterized by respect and care in our relationships with one another. We continuously strive to create conditions that promote job satisfaction, professional development, and participation for all employees.

The research group is now recruiting a full-time PhD student (100%), with a start date of 1st October 2026 (or according to agreement). The position is a DDLS PhD student in Data driven cell and molecular biology.

Data driven cell and molecular biology covers research that fundamentally transforms our knowledge about how cells function by peering into their molecular components in time and space, from single molecules to native tissue environments.

About the Project – DDLS

Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) uses data, computational methods, and artificial intelligence to study biological systems and processes at all levels, from molecular structures and cellular processes to human health and global ecosystems.

The SciLifeLab & Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) aims to recruit and train the next generation of data-driven life scientists and to establish globally leading computational and data science capabilities in Sweden. The program is funded with a total of SEK 3.3 billion over 12 years by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW).

In 2026, the DDLS Research School will be expanded through the recruitment of 25 academic and 7 industrial PhD students. Over the course of the DDLS program, more than 260 PhD students and 200 postdoctoral researchers will be part of the Research School.

The DDLS program comprises four strategic research areas:

• cell and molecular biology
• evolution and biodiversity
• precision medicine and diagnostics
• epidemiology and biology of infection

For more information, please visit: https://www.scilifelab.se/data-driven/ddls-research-school/

The future of life science is data-driven. Will you be part of that change? Join us in this unique program!

We offer

Lund University is a public authority, which means that employees get benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee: Work at Lund University

Work assignments

The PhD student will be responsible for the analysis of advanced 4D live-cell microscopy data, with a particular focus on identifying and characterizing rare endosomal escape events.

The tasks include:

• developing, training, and validating deep learning–based models for event detection and vesicle tracking
• integrating models into automated analysis and imaging workflows
• managing and quantitatively analyzing large-scale image datasets
• method development in collaboration with supervisors and research collaborators
• biological interpretation of results
• documentation and presentation of results
• contributing to scientific publications

Additional duties may be assigned within the scope of the position.

Qualifications

Requirements for the Position

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in bioinformatics, engineering physics, mathematics, applied mathematics, computer science, biomedicine, biotechnology, or another relevant field
• Documented experience in programming or quantitative data analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or similar)
• Strong interest in method development at the interface between biology and artificial intelligence
• Strong collaborative skills, analytical ability, and capacity to work independently

Merits

• Education or training in computer vision, machine learning, deep learning, bioinformatics, advanced microscopy, cell biology, or RNA biology
• Education in mathematical statistics
• Experience in deep learning, computer vision, or neural network development
• Experience with live-cell microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, or 3D/4D image data analysis
• Experience in cell or molecular biology laboratory work, especially intracellular trafficking, endosomal biology, or RNA delivery

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 (Sweden or abroad)

Employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statutes 1998:80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships.

Type of employment

Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.
Proposed start date: 1 October 2026, or as agreed.

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system.

The application should include:

• CV
• Personal letter describing interest and suitability
• Degree certificate or equivalent
• Other relevant documents (transcripts, references, recommendation letters, etc.)

Welcome to apply!

About the Department

The Department of Clinical Sciences Lund is one of six departments at the Faculty of Medicine. It collaborates closely with Skåne University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine to support translational research and education.

The Faculty of Medicine is part of Lund University and is responsible for education and research within medicine and healthcare. It includes 1,800 employees and 2,700 students in Lund and Malmö, and spans experimental, clinical, and health sciences research.

Key information

• Type of employment: Temporary position
• First day of employment: 2026-10-01 or upon agreement
• Contract type: Full time
• Salary: Monthly salary
• Number of positions: 1
• Full-time equivalent: 100
• City: Lund
• County: Skåne län
• Country: Sweden
• Reference number: PA2026/1312
• Published: 22.Apr.2026
• Last application date: 03.Jun.2026

Contact

Julia Friman El Ghazzi
HR Partner
julial.friman_el_ghazzi@med.lu.se

Mattias Belting
Head of division
mattias.belting@med.lu.se

Anders Wittrup
Main Supervisor
anders.wittrup@med.lu.se