PhD student position in Bioinformatics/Evolutionary Microbiology

The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (Imbim) at Uppsala University is a broad international environment for research and teaching. The research at IMBIM spans biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, structural biology, tumor biology, comparative genetics, functional genomics, immunology, bacteriology and virology. The research is basic science focused with strong relevance for mechanisms behind health and disease in both animals and humans. More information: Research - Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology - Uppsala University

We are looking for a highly motivated doctoral student to the project "A two billion year history of infections: evolution of host adjustment of early gamma protebo and the science council and led by Lionel Guy. The doctoral student will be located at the Biomedical Center (BMC) in Uppsala.

Projektbeskrivning

The ability to feed in other organisms through phagocytosis is a crucial step in the Eukaryotes evolution and a prerequisite for nutrition, multi-cell and probably also the acquisition of mitochondria. It also paved the way for intracellular parasitism, as some bacteria escaped to be broken down by their hosts and instead propagated themselves in the nutritious cytoplasm.

Here we focus on deep branched intracellular gamma proteeobacteria (Deep-Branching intracellular gamma proteobacteria, you), a large group of related bacteria (eg,Legionella andFrancisella) With a great variety of hostizing strategies. Our hypothesis is that you have the latest common ancestors under the eukaryogenesen for two billion years ago and were among the first bacteria to infect eukaryotes.

In the project, the doctoral student will collect a solid selection of you-through, including isolates from 30 new legionella species, reconstruct their evolutionary history, assess their metabolic potential and identify their genes for host fit. The doctoral student will search through the genome of horizontal gene transfer from early eukaryotes or Asgard archains, and especially analyze evolution in the genus legionella.

A better understanding of relations between the first eukaryotes and their early intruders will shed light over the eukaryogenesis, and especially above the role of the phagocytos.

Kvalifikationskrav

Authorized to postgraduate education is the one who has

• Deposed degree at advanced level in bioinformatics, molecular biology, microbiology, microbial ecology or nearby area or
• completed at least 240 High school credits, at least 60 High school credits at the advanced level including an independent work on the least 15 higher education credits, or
• In some other way, the corresponding knowledge is mainly acquired.

Graduation should be completed, or expected to be depicted, before March 2027.

• Documented programming skills in Python or R.
• Experience of using and / or developing methods in metagomic and molecular evolution
• Basic understanding of and interest in microbial evolution
• Good knowledge of English, both in speech and writing
• Ability to independently plan, implement and complete research projects
• Creativity and good cooperation skills

Desirable / merit in general 

• Experience of building pipelines for high performance computing clusters (HPC)
• Competence in handling large data sets
• Experience of DNA extraction and production of sequencing library

The selection is based on the following criteria: Fulfillment of the above qualifications, ratings in relevant courses, the relevance of the courses for the research program and previous experience of work and research within the further area that the project concerns. An overall assessment of the applicant is made to employ the best possible candidate, who can assimilate the doctoral education and contribute to a positive development of the research program. Great emphasis is placed on personal characteristics such as analytical ability, accuracy, flexibility and cooperation capability.

Provisions for doctoral students can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance 5 Cape §§ 1-7 and in the university's rules and guidelines.

If the employment

The employment is time-limited, according to HF 5 Cape § 7. The scope is full time. Admitted as soon as possible or as agreed. Location: Uppsala

For more information, contact the Senior Lecturer Lionel Guy, lionel.guy@imbim.uu.se

Welcome with your application no later than the 29 October 2026, Ufv- PA 2026/2912.

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