Doctoral student in Medical Science - Role of the immune system in ulcerative colitis

Reference number PAR 2026/612 The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future. **Doctoral position** in Medical Science _Project title:_ Immunological mechanisms for predicting disease course in ulcerative colitis The Department of microbiology and immunology is located at the Institute of Biomedicine at the Faculty of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages. [https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies](https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies) ## **Duties** 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](https://www.gu.se/en/sahlgrenska-akademin/doctoral-studies) Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads 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, and result 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. _Project description:_ Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterised by periods of remission and relapse. Although modern treatment often leads to clinical, endoscopic and histological healing, many patients relapse. Why an apparently healed intestinal mucosa remains biologically vulnerable is a central unanswered question. This PhD project aims to identify the molecular mechanisms that determine whether remission remains stable or the disease relapses. The project is based on the hypothesis that the intestinal microenvironment, shaped by interactions between the microbiota, microbial metabolites and host regulatory signals, is not fully restored during remission, which may increase susceptibility to renewed inflammatory stimuli. The PhD student will be part of BioLabX, Sweden's national research school in Biomedical Laboratory Science. The project is particularly relevant for applicants with a background in Biomedical Laboratory Science. The PhD student will combine patient-oriented research with experimental models to investigate how the intestinal microenvironment influences immune function during remission. The work includes handling and analysis of human patient samples, functional cell models using human macrophages, advanced cell culture, flow cytometry and molecular biology, as well as metabolomics and lipidomics. Bioinformatic and statistical methods will be used to integrate molecular data with clinical follow-up and identify biomarkers that may predict relapse. The research environment is translational and interdisciplinary, with close collaboration between preclinical researchers, clinical gastroenterologists and national research networks. Through BioLabX, the PhD student will have access to a national network, specialised doctoral courses and pedagogical training. The PhD student will also participate in teaching Biomedical Laboratory Science in Swedish. ## **Eligibility** 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 completed the English B/6 course or is 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 SFS 1993:100. 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 Biomedicine, Department of microbiology and immunology. 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 Biomedicine require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted a