项目介绍

2026年4月22日

The Molecular Geriatrics research group, based at the Rudbeck Laboratory, is internationally leading in antibody‑based therapy and diagnostics for neurodegenerative diseases. The research is conducted in collaboration with academic groups both in Sweden and internationally, as well as with pharmaceutical companies.

Biological drugs constitute a large proportion of newly developed therapeutics and are also used for in vivo diagnostics. The same is true for neurodegenerative diseases, where immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies is now being established as the first disease‑modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. However, the development of biological drugs for brain disorders is hampered by the blood–brain barrier, which prevents large molecules from entering the brain. To address this challenge, the research group has developed a concept for receptor‑mediated transcytosis of bispecific antibodies and other proteins across the blood–brain barrier, resulting in a substantial increase in brain uptake. The overall aim of the project is to develop antibody‑based therapies and diagnostics for diseases of the brain.

Duties
The objective of the PhD project is to generate and evaluate brain‑penetrating antibodies that bind to proteins involved in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. These antibodies will then be used to develop novel diagnostic tools, such as PET and SPECT radioligands, or for therapeutic applications to investigate whether the antibodies affect pathology in models of neurodegenerative disease. The work will therefore include both in vitro studies, primarily involving immunological and histological methods as well as cell culture, and in vivo studies in models of neurodegenerative diseases.

Doctoral students are expected to devote the majority of their time to their own doctoral education. Other duties at the department, such as teaching and administrative work, may be included within the scope of the position (maximum 20%).

Requirements

To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in biomedicine, pharmacy, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, or an equivalent field, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

Applicants must have experience with the methods immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and ELISA and should have completed relevant training to be authorized for in vivo animal work. Experience in data analysis using Excel, GraphPad, and ImageJ is required. A very good command of spoken and written English is essential.

Additional qualifications
Experience with one or more of the following techniques is considered an advantage:

• cell culture,
• protein design, production and purification
• radiolabeling of proteins and other substances
• work with in vivo models, preferably of brain diseases
• preclinical PET/SPECT imaging, and pharmacokinetic data analysis

Experience and formal training in handling radioactive materials is also considered as a merit. Previous research experience in neuroscience, especially neurodegenerative diseases and/or blood–brain barrier biology, including its role in drug transport to the brain, is highly desirable. Co‑authorship on published research articles in international peer‑reviewed journals is also considered a merit.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University’s rules and guidelines 

About the employment
The employment is atemporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %.Starting date in September 2026 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Professor Dag Sehlin (dag.sehlin@uu.se).

In this recruitment we have replaced the cover letter with questions that you are asked to answer when making your application. The answers will be used as a part of the selection process.

Please submit your application by 1 June 2026, UFV-PA 2026/1204.

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