PhD student in advanced data analysis for data integration, image analysis, and precision oncology

Official university vacancy imported from Lund University. Details are presented for discovery and may change. Confirm the latest requirements and apply on the official source.

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund

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.

Description of the workplaceThe overarching goal of our research is to advance precision medicine by improving prognostication and treatment selection for cancer patients through the development of novel prognostic and treatment-predictive biomarkers, as well as by elucidating tumor biology to better understand mechanisms of treatment resistance and identify new therapeutic targets. To achieve this, we apply state-of-the-art technologies for molecular tumor analysis using both solid tissue and blood-based liquid biopsies derived from unique and well-annotated clinical cohorts. Our research integrates advanced liquid biopsy approaches, including analysis of circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA, with comprehensive tissue-based profiling methods such as gene expression analysis, DNA sequencing, single-cell sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics. These high-dimensional data are analyzed using advanced bioinformatic and biostatistical methodologies.

As a doctoral student, you will be part of a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research group focusing on developing precision medicine tools for better diagnosis and treatment of breast and prostate cancer. You will work closely with computational scientists, molecular biologists and clinical researchers in a translational setting.

The research is conducted within a highly supportive academic environment with excellent access to infrastructure and core facilities at Lund University, including platforms for genomics, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, and advanced imaging.

Within the research group, we value a positive work environment characterized by respect and consideration in our relationships. We continuously strive to create conditions that promote job satisfaction, development, and participation for all employees.

The research group is now recruiting a full-time doctoral student (100%) with a start date of 1 November 2026 (or as agreed).

Description of PhD ProjectThe PhD student will be responsible for leading projects focused on the development of novel computational and AI tools to improve our understanding of multimodal data for precision oncology. The projects include integrating different types of sequencing technologies for cell-free DNA in metastatic prostate cancer, developing novel methods to analyze single-cell spatial transcriptomics and protein data in paired prostatectomy samples and lymph nodes in prostate cancer, and to develop a novel method to classify lymphovascular invasion in primary breast cancer from whole-slide histology imaging and gene expression data.

We offerLund University is a public authority, which means that employees get benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee: Work at Lund University

Work descriptionAs a doctoral student, you will, under supervision, be responsible for initiating, conducting, and completing research projects in precision cancer medicine. In particular, your responsibilities will include:

• Advanced data analysis, including the development of software infrastructure to optimize data workflows
• Developing analytical methods to integrate different types of sequencing-based DNA data.
• Developing computational models for prognosis and treatment prediction
• Integrating various types of spatial single-cell data, such as gene expression and protein expression data
• Developing image analysis methods for histopathological specimens using AI-based models

As a doctoral student, you will also, under supervision:

• Contribute to various stages of the scientific publication process
• Present scientific results in different forums
• Apply for research funding

Additional duties related to the position may be assigned.

QualificationsRequired Qualifications;

• A background in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or equivalent (at least 240 ECTS credits, of which 60 ECTS credits are at an advanced level).
• Experience working with AI models for image analysis
• Experience working with sequencing-based analysis of DNA
• Documented ability to work independently in close collaboration with clinicians and other researchers
• Experience working with spatial single-cell technologies
• Ability to communicate in English, both spoken and written.

Meritorious Qualifications are:

• Advanced courses in data science or computational biology relevant for cancer research
• Previous research projects using bioinformatic methods for cancer research, in particular development of novel tools for prognostic or treatment predictive biomarkers.
• Previous experience of breast or prostate cancer research.
• Previous experience working with liquid biopsies for cancer diagnostics.

EligibilityStudents with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad. The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employmentLimit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

How to applyApplications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.).

The Department of Clinical Sciences Lund is one of six departments at the Faculty of Medicine. Clinical Sciences Lund cooperates closely with Skåne University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine in order to optimize the conditions for preclinical and clinical translational research, research strategies and development, as well as education on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

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.

• Lina Bull, HR-partner, lina.bull@med.lu.se
• Martin Sjöström, Main Supervisor, martin.sjostrom@med.lu.se
• Lisa Rydén, Head of division, lisa.ryden@med.lu.se
• OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-2229362
• SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, kansli@saco-s.lu.se
• SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-2229366