Doctoral student in Medical Science: Predicting eco-evolutionary dynamics in a polymicrobial urinary tract infection model

University, Department of experimental medical science

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.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard equality, equal opportunities and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Description of the workplace

The position is based in the Microbial Evolutionary Genetics (MEG) Lab led by Johannes Cairns at the Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University.

The group studies microbial evolution, antimicrobial resistance and microbial interactions using experimental evolution, microbial ecology, bioinformatics and quantitative analysis. We combine experimental microbiology with data-driven approaches and collaborate with national and international research environments.

The doctoral student will work at BMC in Lund in a small interdisciplinary research environment with close supervision and interaction between experimental and computational researchers.

Research group website: https://johannescairns.github.io/meg-lab/.

Description of the project

The doctoral project, "Predicting eco-evolutionary dynamics in a polymicrobial urinary tract infection model", investigates how species interactions shape antibiotic responses, community composition, biofilm formation and resistance evolution in a defined four-species UTI model. The project combines longitudinal experiments in planktonic and biofilm systems with quantitative analysis. The work includes experimental evolution, bacterial culturing and phenotyping, antibiotic dose-response experiments, sequencing-based analysis of community composition, statistical modelling and bioinformatics. The project is connected to the DDLS environment and includes collaboration with researchers at Lund University and other universities.

Work duties and responsibilities

The main task for a doctoral student is to devote yourself to your doctoral studies, therefore you will be both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.

• Plan and conduct longitudinal experiments with defined polymicrobial UTI model systems
• Establish, maintain and quality-control microbial culture systems, including planktonic and biofilm-based models
• Perform bacterial culturing, sampling, growth quantification, antibiotic dose-response experiments and resistance phenotyping
• Familiarize yourself with and use the university’s systems for chemical management, risk assessment, and electronic laboratory documentation
• Work in a BSL-2 laboratory and follow applicable biosafety procedures, risk assessments, and local safety regulations
• Analyse experimental data in R and/or Python and contribute to statistical modelling and visualization
• Analyse sequencing-based and potentially other omics data
• Contribute to experimental planning, data management, manuscript preparation, seminars and scientific conferences
• Complete required courses and other activities within the doctoral education programme

Meritorious for the position are:

• Experience with biofilm systems, catheter-relevant models or other infection-relevant biofilm systems
• Experience in experimental evolution and/or antimicrobial resistance research
• Experience with statistical modelling, bioinformatics or analysis of sequencing-based microbial data
• Experience working in a research laboratory or clinical microbiology laboratory
• Experience with quantitative microbial phenotyping, for example flow cytometry

Great emphasis will be placed on how the applicant, through his/her experience and competence, is judged to have the ability needed to complete the doctoral studies.

About the employment

The position is a fixed-term employment for a total of four years, 100%, with a preliminary start date November 16, 2026 or as agreed. The main rule is that employment at Lund University is conducted in Sweden, and the work is expected to be carried out primarily on site at BMC in Lund.

Rules and regulations concerning employment as a doctoral student can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. Provisions regarding admission to doctoral studies are found in Chapter 6, Section 3 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). More information is available on the university's website.

Additional information

For doctoral students, a specific salary scale is linked to each faculty, and salaries are determined in accordance with the applicable salary scale.

Interviews can be conducted in person in Lund or online.

More information regarding The Faculty of Medicine

The Faculty of Medicine is a part of Lund University, and is responsible for education and research within medicine and healthcare. Our academic programs are closely linked with the healthcare system and are firmly anchored in the faculty’s strong research tradition. Our research spans a broad field within experimental preclinical research, near-patient clinical research and health sciences research. The Faculty of Medicine, with its 1,800 employees and 2,700 students in Lund and Malmö, is a knowledge-intensive meeting place for students, teachers and researchers from all over the world.

We kindly decline all sales and marketing contacts.

• Tyra Lundquister, HR-partner, +462229876, tyra.lundquister@med.lu.se
• Johannes Cairns, Forskargruppschef, +358504306617, johannes.cairns@med.lu.se
• SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-2229366, sekocivil@seko.lu.se
• OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-2229362, st@st.lu.se
• SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-2220000, kansli@saco-s.lu.se

Qualifications

Admission requirements are:

• A second-cycle degree completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the second-cycle level, or in some other way acquired essentially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country
• Good ability to utilize the doctoral studies
• Specific eligibility for doctoral studies in Medical Science at the Faculty of Medicine, including at least 60 higher education credits in a subject area relevant to Medical Science

Requirements for employment are:

• A Master's degree in microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, or another field relevant to the project
• Documented hands-on experience in experimental microbiology, including bacterial culturing, aseptic technique and quantification of microbial growth
• Experience establishing and maintaining defined microbial culture systems and working with synthetic or polymicrobial bacterial communities
• Documented experience with in vitro models of polymicrobial urinary tract infection or a closely comparable infection-relevant polymicrobial model system
• Experience with experiments addressing antibiotic responses, microbial interactions or evolutionary change in bacterial communities
• Basic experience with data handling and analysis in R and/or Python
• Very good written and spoken English
• Self-motivation, persistence and good written communication skills, together with a structured working style and the ability to work independently and collaboratively

How to apply

You apply for the position through Lund University's recruitment system. The application should include a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how your qualifications match the project, a CV, degree certificates and transcripts, and your Master's thesis or equivalent independent research work.

What we offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means that you get special benefits, generous holidays and a favourable occupational pension. As a doctoral student at Lund University, you are both admitted as a student and employed, which gives you several benefits. Read more about being admitted and employed at the university's website.

As a doctoral student in the MEG Lab, you will have access to modern microbiology infrastructure at BMC, close supervision, and participation in DDLS training and scientific meetings. The project provides training in both experimental microbiology and quantitative data analysis, with opportunities for national and international collaboration.

Find out more on the University website about working with us Work for us.