Doctoral student in biomedical science with a focus on advanced lung models and biopharmaceutics in inhalation therapy

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We are looking for   

A doctoral student in biomedical science at the Faculty of Health and Society.

Subject area: Pharmaceutical sciences with a specialization in biopharmaceutics and experimental models for inhalation therapy.

Work duties   

A doctoral student shall primarily devote themselves to their own doctoral education. However, a doctoral student may, to a limited extent, work with education, other research or artistic research, and administration, but not more than 20 percent of full-time work (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Section 2).

BioInhale is a research project at Malmö University that has been awarded funding from the Knowledge Foundation. The project aims to promote the development of inhalation-based drug therapy by clarifying how drug molecules, from small molecules to macromolecules, interact with the lung epithelium during aerosolization and deposition, dissolution and permeation, as well as clearance/elimination, thereby showing how regional differences in the lung govern drug distribution and disposition. Pulmonary drug administration (inhalation therapy) is increasingly being explored for the treatment of various diseases, as it shows potential to improve safety, target specificity, and pharmacokinetic profile compared with conventional routes of administration. At the same time, the human airways constitute an intricate and heterogeneous structure with pronounced regional physiological variation. The airways function as a barrier between the body’s internal and external environments, enable gas exchange, and perform central functions such as conditioning inhaled air, mucociliary clearance, and immune signaling.

The project will be carried out in close collaboration with six Swedish and international industrial partners: Emmace Consulting, Bioneer, MatTek, Inhalation Sciences, Truly Labs, and Magle ChemoSwed, as well as with advice from leading pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca. The collaboration with industry, universities, and research infrastructures ensures access to cutting-edge expertise and advanced research resources.

The project includes two doctoral students working in parallel within the project. This position is focused on biopharmaceutics and advanced lung models for inhalation therapy. As a doctoral student, you will work at the interface between pharmaceutical science, cell biology, tissue engineering, and inhalation therapy. The duties include the development and characterization of advanced 3D-cell- and tissue models that mimic the biological barriers and physiology of the lung. The work includes culture and analysis of cell-based models, biochemical and molecular studies, and evaluation of peptide- and protein-based drugs and inhalation formulations. The position also includes the development and application of preclinical models, including both ex vivo and in vivo models, to study how inhaled drugs interact with lung tissue and to evaluate new drug delivery systems for inhalation therapy.

Qualifications   

To be admitted to third-cycle education, the applicant must meet the general admission requirements and the specific admission requirements required by the subject, and must also be assessed as having the ability otherwise needed to benefit from the education.

General admission requirements for third-cycle education (according to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 39) are met by a person who:

Specific admission requirements for third-cycle education are met by a person who has:

At least 90 higher education credits, of which 30 higher education credits are at second-cycle level, in biomedical science or in a subject relevant to the current research area, or who has otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge. Adequate knowledge of English is also required.

Selection criteria 

Selection among applicants who meet the general and specific admission requirements shall be made with regard to their ability to benefit from the programme (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 41).

General selection criteria

When selecting among applicants for an advertised place in third-cycle education, the ability to benefit from third-cycle education is used as the criterion. In assessing this ability, previous study results, the applicant’s written work, reports, research plans and any research merits, as well as documented professional experience, are taken into consideration. Special importance is attached to independent work at first (undergraduate) and advanced levels.

Specific selection criteria

Experience of cell culture, development of cell-based models or tissue models, and other experimental methods relevant to inhalation therapy and the duties described above is considered a merit.

Experience of working with primary cells, advanced 3D-cell- and tissue models, tissue engineering, and histological methods, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence analyses is particularly relevant.

Experience of biochemical, molecular biological, or immunological analytical methods, such as ELISA, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy, is also considered a merit.

Experience of 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 orally and in writing.

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

Faculty, Department and Research environment   

The position is placed at the Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University. The department has an interdisciplinary profile in which research and education combine biology, chemistry, medicine, and physics. The research focuses on biomedical technology and 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 is 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 centre at the interface between life sciences and materials sciences 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.

Link to the department: BMV

Link to the research environment: BRCB

Link to the project: https://mau.se/en/research/projects/bioinhale/

Further information   

Senior Lecturer Sabrina Valetti, +46 (0)40-665 72 65, sabrina.valetti@mau.se

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

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 the position via Malmö University’s recruitment system by clicking the “Apply” button. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions below and that it reaches the university no later than 2026-09-14. Your application must be written in Swedish, English, or one of the Scandinavian languages. As an applicant, you are responsible for having your application and its attachments translated if necessary.

The application must include: 

Miscellaneous   

The processing of admission to third-cycle education and employment as a doctoral student takes place in parallel. Only a person who is admitted or has already been admitted to third-cycle education at a higher education institution may be employed as a doctoral student (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Section 3).

The position is full-time and fixed-term for four years in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Section 7. Employment as a doctoral student shall apply until further notice, but no longer than until a specified date and never for more than one year after the award of a doctoral degree or doctoral degree in the fine, applied and performing arts. The first period of employment may be for a maximum of one year. The employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Malmö University is a workplace and a higher education institution that strives to maintain an open and inclusive approach, where gender equality and equal opportunities add value to our activities.

As part of this:

Employees who do not speak Swedish should learn Swedish over time so that they can participate in the everyday and ongoing work of the department.

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

If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit to stay in Sweden and pursue their studies, the university reserves the right to revoke the admission decision if the admitted applicant cannot present a valid residence permit required for the studies by the date of commencement of studies.

Start date   

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

Union representatives   

PhD Student Union representative 

Hanna Bjure, hanna.ivarsson@mau.se

We are looking forward to receiving your application!