Research at the Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute (MBW) experimentally addresses fundamental problems in molecular cell biology, integrative biology, and infection and immunobiology. State-of-the art and advanced methodologies are applied in a professional research environment characterized by its well-established international profile. The institute has 30 research groups with a research staff of 180, of which 65 are PhD students. More information about us, please visit: Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute.
The human intestine contains a highly diverse microbial community, including bacteria, archaea, and single-cell eukaryotes. Yet, many cross-species interactions are tightly restricted by the human immune system. For example, immunoglobulin A antibodies can cross-link microbes with similar surface molecules. This can trap these microbes into species- and strain-specific aggregates, which limit their cross-species interactions and genetic exchanges, including the intercellular spread of bacteriophages. However, once expelled from the human body, these microbes can enter wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), were the aerated and mechanically mixed microbial reservoirs allow for unique cross-species interactions. Thus, WWTPs are an ideal environment were bacteriophages can evolve a broader range of host specificities, and such evolved bacteriophages would be ideal for antimicrobial therapies in the future.
This PhD project aims to systematically map the evolving host-range of novel cross-species bacteriophages within WWTPs and to identify unique receptor-binding-domains variants that enable such promiscuous target-cell interactions. This would hopefully unlock new strategies for engineering synthetic bacteriophages for both precision-targeted and broad-range antimicrobial therapies. The successful PhD candidate will use a combination of recently developed cutting-edge synthetic biology, cell-encapsulation and single-cell Nanopore sequencing technologies to investigate cross-species interactions within WWTPs. Building on these methods, the successful PhD candidate will also aim develop their own methodologies for tracking and genotyping bacteriophage-infected cells within these diverse microbial communities.
This PhD position is available in the lab of Dr. Marcus Wäneskog. The spoken language of the lab and the MBW department is English. The MBW department offers a multicultural experience with scientists from all over the world.
In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.
You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.
In order to meet the specific entry requirements, the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of molecular biosciences stipulates that applicants must have completed a university degree at an advanced level or at least 240 credits of university education (240 hp in Swedish universities), including at least 120 hp at the bachelor level in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry or a similar subject. In addition, candidates should have completed courses at an advanced level in molecular biosciences, microbiology, molecular biology or equivalent subjects (at least 60 hp), of which at least 30 hp represents an independent research project work. Candidates who have other documented qualifications, obtained in Sweden or elsewhere, that are judged to provide equivalent knowledge are also qualified.
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:
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Capacity for analytical and creative thinking.
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Ability to take own initiatives and design new research experiments.
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Capacity to develop scientific independence.
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Ability to collaborate scientifically within the framework of a research group.
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An assessment of previous grades.
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The scientific quality of completed degree project(s).
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Personal references.
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A personal interview.
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Candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position.
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Written and oral proficiency in Swedish and/or English.
Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.
We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).
A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
For more information, please contact group leader Marcus Wäneskog, [email protected].
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.
The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.
Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.
Anställningsform: tidsbegränsad anställning | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 1 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100 % | Ort: Stockholm | Län: Stockholms län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: SU FV-1928-26 | Facklig företrädare: ST/OFR ST/OFR 08162000, ST/OFR ST/OFR 08162000, Saco-S Saco-S 08162000, Saco-S Saco-S 08162000, Seko Seko 0770457900, Seko Seko 0770457900, | Publicerat: 2026-06-11 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2026-07-13
