PhD position in Medical Science with Specialization in Virology

Description of work

You will be working in the laboratory of Marta Bally (https://ballylab.com/), in close collaboration with the laboratory of Anne-Marie Fors Connolly (https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/anne-marie-fors-connolly) at the Department of Clinical Microbiology, at Umeå University (https:// www.umu.se/en/department-of-clinical-microbiology/), the PhD candidate work in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) Doctoral Network GLYCOCALYX.

About the Network:  GLYCOCALYX brings together 15 leading European partners in a transnational network, implementing a multidisciplinary and intersectorial research and training programme between the academic and industrial partners, to research the self-organisation and barrier functions of the mammalian glycocalyx. 

Virtually all mammalian cells are covered with a dense and complex coat of sugar chains (glycans) known as the glycocalyx, which is essential for multicellular life. Glycocalyces accomplish critical functions in inter-cellular communication, controlling tissue development, homeostasis and repair, inflammatory and immune responses, neuronal connectivity, and symbiosis with bacteria. However, when dysregulated, they can promote immune diseases, neurodegeneration and cancer. Glycocalyces also act as the first line of defence against pathogens, but some pathogens have evolved to hijack the glycocalyx to promote infection. 

Despite their importance, mammalian glycocalyces remain the ‘dark matter’ of biology, under-studied owing to the historical lack of preparative and analytical tools to probe the local molecular composition and transient interactions of molecules within glycocalyces, and missing physics rules to interpret experimental observations. 

The GLYCOCALYX Network will train 15 PhD Fellows in chemistry, physics and biology methods and concepts required to resolve the dynamic organisation of glycocalyces. The project will establish a new level of understanding of how glycocalyces perform their many selective barrier functions. The PhD Fellows will receive cutting edge scientific training, alongside industry-relevant transferable skills, to equip them for careers in the medical technology sector and its underpinning research and innovations. 

About the position

About the PhD project: Endothelial glycocalyx degradation during viral diseases

Endothelial glycocalyx (EG) degradation has been associated with a multitude of vascular pathologies, including cardiovascular complications associated with viral diseases. The degradation process is mediated by enzymes which degrade components of the glycocalyx, thereby affecting not only its compositions but its biophysical properties (thickness, stiffness and permeability for example). Recently, two viral diseases potentially leading to severe cardiovascular complications, have been shown to associate with EG degradation: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Puumulavirus (PUUV; a hantavirus), and coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2. In both cases, it remains unclear whether there is a direct correlation between EG degradation, pathogenesis and disease severity. The molecular mechanisms at play also remain to be elucidated. This project aims at gaining fundamental understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying endothelial glycocalyx degradation during viral infections; it further aims at establishing a correlation between disease stage/severity and the glycocalyx’s biophysical properties.

In this project, you will use a combination of analytical and biophysical tools based on optical tweezers, atomic force microscopy and advanced fluorescence microscopy to characterize the biophysical properties of the endothelial glycocalyx with suitable cellular and molecular models of the glycocalyx. Studies will be carried out using both purified glycocalyx-degrading enzymes as well as blood plasma samples from patients stratified across disease stages and severity, to systematically investigate how the biophysical properties of the glycocalyx change when it is degraded. In addition to this, you will be in charge of characterizing the patient samples in terms of the presence of glycocalyx degradation products and glycocalyx-degrading enzymes, to further characterize the key molecular players.

You will interact and develop research collaborations with our GLYCOCALYX academic and industrial partners, and in addition you will participate in activities of the Doctoral Network, including attending training courses and work placements at other sites. 

Eligibility requirements

Applicants meet the basic eligibility requirements for doctoral studies if they have:

• Completed a second-cycle (Master’s level) degree;
• Fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (ECTS), of which at least 60 credits at second-cycle level;
• Or otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 39).

In order to be approved for MSCA funding, the applicant, at the time of application, must not have resided in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date.

Applicants must:

• Have a Master’s degree (or an equivalent level of professional qualification or experience) in Chemistry, Physics, Biomedicine, Biology, Biomedical Engineering or a related discipline, with a strong interest in biological or medical sciences;
• A keen interest in working across scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology and medical sciences;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English, both written and verbal, and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Good time management and planning skills, with a proven ability to meet tight deadlines and to manage competing demands effectively, responsibly and without close support;
• A proven ability to work well both independently and as part of a team. 

Other qualifications

Applicants may also bring the following skills:

• Prior practical experience with fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscopy or optical tweezers;
• Prior wet-lab experience in biological sciences, especially virology or molecular biology.

Application

A complete application must include:

• A cover letter, which outlines the applicant’s motivation behind applying for a position (1 page);
• A curriculum vitae (CV);
• Copies of all Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree certificates, including documentation of completed academic courses and their grades;
• Names and contact details for 2 references.

Applications are submitted electronically via Varbi. Documents should be in Word or PDF format. The deadline for applications is March 30th 2026.

The position is funded for four years and starts immediately or as agreed. The latest possible starting date is November 30, 2026. For more information, contact Marta Bally (marta.bally@umu.se)