PhD position in Microbiology
Join a PhD project investigating plasmid copy number and antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria.
Best for:Best for candidates with a Master's in microbiology, genetics or related fields, strong bacterial genetics experience, and interest in antibiotic‑resistance research.
Overview
The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology at Uppsala University is offering a PhD position focused on the mechanisms and dynamics of plasmid copy number in pathogenic bacteria. The project aims to understand how variations in plasmid copy number influence the evolution of antibiotic resistance and horizontal gene transfer. The successful candidate will work with a large collection of well‑characterised microorganisms, infection models and state‑of‑the‑art molecular tools. In addition to research, the role includes up to 20 % teaching or administrative duties. The PhD programme provides full‑time employment and a supportive international research environment.
What you'll do
- Design and perform experiments to quantify plasmid copy number in pathogenic bacterial strains.
- Analyse genomic and phenotypic data to assess the impact of copy‑number variation on resistance evolution.
- Write progress reports, scientific articles and the doctoral thesis describing the research findings.
- Present results at group meetings, seminars and international conferences.
- Collaborate with other research groups within the department and contribute to interdisciplinary projects.
- Participate in teaching or administrative duties up to a maximum of 20 % of the workload.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Genetics, Microbiology, Evolutionary Biology or a related field
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; very good oral and written proficiency required
Instruction: English
- Practical experience in bacterial genetics (required)
- Hands‑on experience in cell and molecular microbiology techniques
- Very good oral and written communication skills in English
- Ability to work independently and take initiative
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving capacity
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-09-21
Prepare a CV, a cover letter, transcripts of your previous degrees and three reference letters. Submit the complete application through Uppsala University's online recruitment system using the provided link. Ensure all documents are uploaded in PDF format before the deadline.
- CV
- Cover letter
- BSc and MSc transcripts
- Three reference letters
Contact
Helen Wang· Associate Professor
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