项目介绍

2026年6月12日

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Doctoral position in Medical Science   

Project title: Interferon-stimulated proteins in Diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) – prognosis, function and therapy

The Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition  is located at the Institute of Medicine 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   

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

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: 

Despite advances in both treatment and genetic classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), around 25% of patients still die from their disease. DLBCL is a heterogeneous tumor where both the malignant clone and the tumor microenvironment contribute to the variable clinical picture. However, the complexity can probably not only be explained by genetic changes, and it is also difficult to predict whether such changes really affect protein expression and thus the phenotype of the tumor cell.

By parallel studies on global protein expression, RNA-sequencing and digital image analysis of immunohistochemical staining in tumor tissue from DLBCL patients, we have found that overexpression of interferon-stimulated genes/proteins (especially belonging to the PYHIN group), appears to affect both prognosis and response to treatment. After performing further in vitro studies in DLBCL cell lines, our data also indicate a functional role.
Interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) play an important role primarily in antiviral immunity, but in recent years it has become increasingly evident that they can also affect immunosuppressive mechanisms in various forms of cancer and then induce both tumor progression and treatment resistance. Their significance in DLBCL is so far unknown.
The main purpose of the project is to test the hypothesis if interferon-stimulated proteins, primarily from the PYHIN group, influence treatment resistance in DLBCL and if they could be of therapeutic potential.

The specific aims are to:
1. study the functional role of interferon-stimulated genes/proteins in DLBCL cell lines,
2. investigate the therapeutic effect of blocking/down-regulating/degrading interferon-stimulated genes/proteins, as proof-of-concept, in vitro and in vivo using DLBCL mouse models.

Documented experience of experimental studies in cell culture with CRISPR technology and flow cytometry is an advantage, as is experience of RNA/protein preparation, RNA sequencing and bioinformatics. Furthermore, experience of working with mouse cancer models is desirable.

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 Medicine, the Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition. 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 Medicine require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, the institute has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Contact information 

For more information about the project please contact the project supervisor,
Per-Ola Andersson , Institute of Medicine,
e-mail: per-ola.andersson@medic.gu.se

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.  

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: 2026-07-01