项目介绍

2024年11月13日

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Project title: Genomic and functional analysis of ETEC adaption: From mobile elements to host receptors

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

Duties   

Doctoral 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: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) represents a major global health and agricultural challenge, causing severe diarrheal disease in both humans – particularly affecting children in developing countries and international travelers – and livestock, where it drives significant antibiotic usage in pig and cattle farming, contributing to the global antimicrobial resistance crisis. While ETEC’s remarkable ability to thrive across diverse hosts and environments is well-documented, the molecular mechanisms underlying this adaptability remain largely unexplored. This PhD project offers an exciting opportunity to unravel these mechanisms through cutting-edge genomic and functional analyses.

The successful candidate will employ bioinformatics and molecular approaches to investigate ETEC’s evolution and adaptation. Using advanced phylogenetic techniques and comparative genomics, you will analyse an extensive strain collection to identify key genetic determinants of host specificity and virulence. A particular focus will be placed on mobile genetic elements and their role in disseminating antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors. Through innovative conjugation experiments and plasmid characterisation, you will reveal how these elements contribute to ETEC’s environmental persistence and pathogenic success.

The project’s innovative aspect lies in its comprehensive investigation of ETEC-host interactions through glycobiology. Using advanced analytical techniques including thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometry, you will map critical adhesin-glycan interactions that determine host specificity. This multidisciplinary approach, combining genomics, molecular biology, and glycobiology, positions the project at the forefront of bacterial pathogenesis research. The findings will not only advance our fundamental understanding of ETEC adaptation but also inform future therapeutic strategies against this significant pathogen.The supervisory team includes Dr. Astrid von Mentzer as the principal supervisor, bringing expertise in ETEC, genomics, and molecular biology. The project will benefit from the guidance of Dr. Anne Farewell, an expert in molecular cloning, and Professor Susann Teneberg, a specialist in glycobiology, as assistant supervisors. The PhD position offers comprehensive training in bacterial genetics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology within a dynamic and collaborative research environment. The ideal candidate should have a background in microbiology, molecular biology, or bioinformatics. Practical experience with bacterial culture, molecular cloning, or genomic analysis tools is beneficial. However, more important than specific technical skills is the ability to work independently, think critically, and adapt to new methodologies as the project develops. 

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.    

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 successfully 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.

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.   

Contact information 

For more information about the project please contact principal supervisor,
Astrid von Mentzer, Institute of Biomedicine,  
phone: +46 76 9410890, e-mail: astrid.von.mentzer@gu.se

Links:
von Mentzer Lab
https://www.scilifelab.se/researchers/astrid-von-mentzer/

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande    

Application   

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application 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/

Applications must be received by: 2024-12-02

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/