PhD position in standardizing multi-omics of oral fluids for reproducible disease signatures

Work duties   

Those appointed to an employment as av doctoral student shall primarily devote themselves to their studies. Those appointed to an employment as a doctoral student may, however, work to a limited extent with educational tasks, research, artistic research and administration, however, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20 per cent of a full-time post (Chapter 5, Section 2 of the Higher Education Ordinance). 

The doctoral project in question is part of the national research school BioLabX – Biomedical Laboratory Scientist Research School for eXcellence – and focuses on the development of the non-invasive laboratory diagnostics of the future. The project aims to develop and validate standardized methods for using oral fluids, primarily saliva, as diagnostic sample material. Through BioLabX, the doctoral student will also become part of a national network of doctoral students, supervisors, and teachers in biomedical laboratory science.

The aim of the doctoral project is to establish robust workflows for multi-omics analyses, with a particular focus on metabolomics and proteomics. Through standardized sampling, sample handling, analysis, and data interpretation, the project will help ensure that biomarkers in oral fluids can be identified and validated in a reproducible manner. The project includes method development, analytical validation, clinical application, and targeted biomarker validation, using periodontitis as a model for inflammatory disease.

As a doctoral student, you will work at the intersection of biomedical laboratory science, clinical diagnostics, analytical chemistry, and data-driven medicine. The tasks include handling and preparing oral fluids, developing and optimizing bioanalytical methods, conducting and coordinating omics-based analyses, analytical validation, and the statistical processing, integration, and interpretation of complex biological data. The doctoral student will also contribute to translating the results into standardized laboratory workflows relevant to future clinical diagnostics.

Qualifications   

To be admitted to doctoral studies, the applicant must meet the general and specific entry requirements of the subject in question. Moreover, the applicant must be deemed capable of assimilating the education. 

General entry requirements for doctoral studies and study programmes (HEO Chapter 7 Section 39) have those who: 

• been awarded a second-cycle qualification
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or 
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.  

Specific entry requirements for doctoral studies and study programmes have those who: 

Successful completion of at least 90 ECTS, of which 30 ECTS are at an advanced level, in a subject relevant for the current research field or equivalent knowledge acquired in some other way. Adequate knowledge in English is also required.

A license as a biomedical laboratory scientist (BMA-legitimation) or a Bachelor’s degree in biomedical laboratory science.

Selection criteria 

Selection among applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements shall be made with regard to their capacity to assimilate the education (HEO Chapter 7 Section 41). 

General selection criteria

In the assessment of applicants for admission to third-cycle studies, the ability to benefit from the third-cycle studies is used as suitable criteria. To assess this ability, previous study results, essays, term papers, reports, research plans, any research qualifications and documented work experience are taken into consideration. Special importance is attached to independent work at first (undergraduate) and advanced levels.

Specific selection criteria

Experience in bioanalytical method development, work with biological sample materials, sample preparation, analytical validation, or analytical methods relevant to clinical laboratory diagnostics and the tasks described above is considered a merit.

Experience in omics-based analyses, chromatographic, mass spectrometric, immunological, or other bioanalytical methods is particularly relevant.

Experience in statistical processing, data analysis, and/or interpretation of complex biological data is also considered a merit.

Documented very good ability to communicate in English, both spoken and written.

A good ability to work independently, take initiative, and contribute flexibly in interdisciplinary research environments is considered a merit.

Faculty, Department and Research environment   

The position is based at the Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University. The department has an interdisciplinary profile, where research and education combine biology, chemistry, medicine, and physics. The research focuses on biomedical technology as well as cell and molecular biology with an immunological profile. We offer education at bachelor’s and master’s level and work in close collaboration with healthcare services and industry.

The doctoral project will be carried out in an interdisciplinary research environment with strong links to both clinical diagnostics and education in biomedical laboratory science. The project is connected to the Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces (BRCB), a research center at the interface between the life sciences and materials science, where researchers from the faculties of Health and Society, Odontology, and Technology and Society collaborate. Our vision is to create new solutions for improved health through outstanding science in close collaboration with industry.

The research project is part of the national research school BioLabX, a collaboration between the University of Gothenburg, Karolinska Institutet, Linköping University, Malmö University, Umeå University, Uppsala University, and Örebro University. The research school aims to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange between healthcare and academia, where doctoral students with a biomedical laboratory science background will develop into the teachers of the future. The research school intends to strengthen research in the subject, teaching methodology, and teaching competence in biomedical laboratory science, with a focus on both laboratory medicine and clinical physiology.

Link to the department: BMV    

Link to the research environment:  BRCB

Link to the research school: BioLabX

Link to the project: From variability to validation

Further information   

Senior Lecturer Magnus Falk, +46 (0)40-665 74 76, magnus.falk@mau.se

Head of Department Magnus Gram, +46 (0)72-203 49 76, magnus.gram@mau.se

Questions about the employment at Malmö University:

HR Partner Heidi Francke, heidi.francke@mau.se

In our recruitment work, Malmö University has taken a stand regarding recruitment channels and marketing. We therefore decline all offers of advertising and recruitment assistance in connection with this advertisement.   

You can read more about the benefits of working in Sweden here: Work in Sweden – Careers, work permits and moving to Sweden

Application   

You apply for this position via Malmö University’s recruitment system by clicking on the “Apply” button. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is completed in accordance with the job advertisement, and that it is submitted to the University no later than 2026-08-31. The application must be written in Swedish, English or any of the Nordic languages. As an applicant, you are responsible for the application and its appendices being translated.   

The application must include: 

• Curriculum Vitae 
• Diplomas, transcript of records and other certificates relevant for the position, including a biomedical laboratory scientist license or a certificate confirming a Bachelor’s degree in biomedical laboratory science 
• A brief research plan presenting the focus of research and a thesis concept, and how this relates to the specific post (max 4 pages). The research plan must contain an overall purpose, questions that the project intends to answer, an account of the methodological approach, a description of material collection and type of research material and an account of the theoretical framework 
• Independent work at advanced level (including master thesis or equivalent) 

Miscellaneous   

Preparation of admission to postgraduate education and employment as a doctoral student take place in parallel. Only those who are or have been admitted to doctoral level courses and study programmes at a higher education may be appointed to doctoral studentships (HEO Chapter 5, section 3).

The doctoral studentship is a fixed-term position comprising four years of full-time studies, in accordance with the HEO Chapter 5, section 7. A doctoral student shall be employed for an indefinite period but for no longer than until a specified date, and never for longer than a year after the doctoral degree or artistic doctoral degree has been completed. The first appointment must be limited to one year at the most. The appointment can be extended by a maximum of two years at a time.

Malmö University actively promotes gender equality and equal opportunities in order to offer a workplace and a university characterised by an open and inclusive approach.  

As part of this:

• Applicants of an underrepresented gender are given priority for admission, if they are equally able to benefit from the programme.
• Doctoral students with permanent disabilities are given the opportunity to receive support and adaptations during their studies, so that everyone can study on equal terms in a good study environment.

Employees who do not speak Swedish should learn Swedish in the long term so that they can participate in the daily and ongoing work of the institution or department. 

Malmö University applies salary setting for doctoral students in accordance with a local agreement on salary setting for doctoral students.

If the admitted person requires a residence permit to live in Sweden and pursue their studies, the University reserves the right to revoke the admission decision if the admitted person cannot present a valid residence permit as required on the date they are due to commence their education.

Start date   

1 November 2026 or by agreement, but no later than 1 January 2027.