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Luleå University of Technology is in strong growth with world-leading competence in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of SEK 1.9 billion per year. We currently have 1,840 employees and 17,670 students. In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

The Division of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Health, Education and Technology are searching for a PhD student within the research subject Chemistry of Interfaces in a close collaboration with the research subject Biomedical Engineering and Norrlands University Hospital (NUH) in Umeå to work on the search of novel non-invasive biomarkers of Parkinson’s Disease.

As a PhD student you will be a part of two research groups at LTU, which operate in a dynamic, international research environment in a close collaboration with medical doctors in hospitals and with leading universities all over the world. You will also be a part of the graduate school within PRECISE – innovative Precision Health, one of LTU´s strategic research & education areas.

Subject description
Chemistry of Interfaces deals with both experimental and theoretical aspects of the heterogeneous processes that occur at interfaces between liquid, solid and gas phases, as well as with the development of novel surface-sensitive analytical techniques for studying these processes at the molecular level.

Project description
The proposed work “Exploiting Advanced Metabolomics and Lipid Profiling for Identification of Novel Non-invasive Biomarkers of Parkinson's Disease (BioPARK)” is multidisciplinary in nature and will involve teaming up of Chemistry of Interfaces with Biomedical Engineering at LTU and researchers from NUH.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that suffers from diagnosis at late stages. Currently there is no efficient cure for PD. Thus, the discovery of non-invasive molecular biomarkers for PD at early stages, is of the urgent need. We will target the search of non-invasive biomarkers in PD. We plan to use saliva and sebum as biofluids in advanced lipidomics analyses via NMR and LC-MS. We will also investigate “exosomes” from saliva samples. Exosomes are 30 to 150 nm nanovesicles that are formed inside the cells and stuck with unique nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. The emerging role of exosomal cargo in the pathogenesis of various diseases is well reported in the literature. We will gather more information about PD specific exosomal cargos for diagnosis the disease.

The project is funded by PRECISE – innovative Precision Health at LTU.

Duties
As a PhD student you are expected to perform experimental and theoretical work within your research studies and communicate your results at conferences and in scientific journals. Most of your working time (ca. 3 of totally 4 years) will be devoted to research. You will work as a neutral party, be involved in challenging development projects and participate in mandatory and recommended PhD-courses (ca. 1 year). You will also develop as a teacher via pedagogical courses at LTU and supervision of students during laboratory exercises (departmental duties). The tasks also include participating in seminar activities within the PRECISE Graduate School.

You will be optimising biological sample preparation and carry out advanced analyses on NMR, FTIR and LC-MS data. Experimental research will be carried out using research laboratories at the Division of Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. You are expected to discuss your progress frequently with your supervisors at regular project meetings.

Qualifications
We are looking for you that has a background in molecular biology/cell biology/life sciences and equivalent. It is advantageous for you to have a solid interest in experimental work. Your experience in the analysis of proteins and/or lipid biochemistry would be considered as meritorious. The experience with mass spectrometry, FTIR and NMR techniques is desirable but not mandatory.

In order to be eligible, you must have a master’s degree in Biochemistry or Biotechnology or Biophysics and some experience in biological or life sciences and characterisation of biological samples. You should write and speak English at a very good level.

For further information about a specific subject see General curricula for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Most employees at the research subject Chemistry of Interfaces are currently men why we would like to engage female applicants to apply for this post. Provided that the qualifications are the same, the underrepresented gender will be given priority.

Further information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 10 %. Placement: Luleå. Starting: September 2023.

For further information about the position, please contact: Professor Oleg N. Antzutkin, +46(0)920 492524, Oleg.Antzutkin@ltu.se or Dr Vaibhav Sharma,+46(0)73 2802213, vaibhav.sharma@ltu.se

Union representatives:
SACO-S Kjell Johansson (+46)920-49 1529 kjell.johansson@ltu.se
OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46)920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter, and copies of verified diplomas from high schools and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.