Doctoral Student in Tumor Biology

Description of the workplace

The research group, led by Senior Lecturer Charlotte Rolny, conducts experimental and translational research on brain tumors and tumor dissemination. The group is part of Lund University Cancer Centre at Medicon Village and belongs to the Unit of Translational Cancer Research at the Department of Laboratory Medicine. Find out more here: Immuno-Oncology Group.

The research group studies how the tumor microenvironment influences cancer progression and metastatic dissemination, with a particular focus on tumor-associated macrophages, TAMs, and their interactions with cancer cells and tumor blood vessels. Previous studies from the group have shown that TAMs located in close proximity to tumor blood vessels, so-called perivascular TAMs, can promote vascular abnormalities and facilitate the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to secondary tumors.

We are now seeking a highly motivated doctoral student with an interest in tumor biology, tumor immunology, and metastasis. The doctoral project will focus on studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate how cancer cells disseminate from primary tumors to secondary tumors. Particular emphasis will be placed on how tumor-associated macrophages and signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment influence the invasive properties of cancer cells, their interactions with blood vessels, and their ability to establish metastases.

The project includes advanced molecular and cell biological methods, experimental tumor models, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and advanced image analysis. The project has a strong translational focus, in which experimental findings will be validated in clinically relevant patient material.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular 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 duties and areas of responsibility

The doctoral project aims to increase our understanding of how cancer cells spread from primary tumors to secondary tumors, and how this process is influenced by the tumor microenvironment. The project will specifically investigate how tumor-associated macrophages, blood vessels, and recently identified signaling pathways contribute to cancer cell migration, invasion, intravasation, survival in the circulation, and establishment in new tissues.

The aims of the project are to:

• identify cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive the dissemination of cancer cells from primary tumors to secondary tumors,
• investigate how tumor-associated macrophages influence the invasive and metastatic properties of cancer cells,
• study how the interplay between cancer cells, immune cells, and blood vessels contributes to metastatic dissemination,
• identify new therapeutic targets that can inhibit the dissemination and establishment of secondary tumors,
• map tumor microenvironment signatures associated with survival, treatment response, and relapse,
• validate experimental findings in patient material to ensure clinical and translational relevance.

For examples of related research, see:

PMID: 38041815
PMID: 37142795
PMID: 33077599
PMID: 27197153

Qualifications

Requirements for employment are:

• MSc degree, or equivalent qualification from a foreign higher education institution, in medicine, biomedicine, molecular biology, or a related field, including FELASA C certification.
• Good communication skills in English.
• Good ability to collaborate with others.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. We are looking for a curious, responsible, and committed candidate with strong collaborative skills. You should be structured and able to organize and prioritize tasks in a dynamic research environment.

Meritorious qualifications for the position include:

• Experience working with animal models, flow cytometry, and multiplex analysis.

Type of employment

Limit of tenure, four years according to the Higher Education Ordinance (HF 5 kap 7§) in Sweden. The employment is a full term position with the desired start date of 1 August 2026 or according to agreement. 

Eligibility

Students 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.

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a CV, degree certificates 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.).