Looking for your next challenge? Join us as a doctoral student to create microfluidic immunosensing technologies that help decode how immune cells communicate and signal.
About us
The Department of Life Sciences conducts research, innovation, and education to enable a biobased society and improve human health. We explore how biological systems, and innovative technologies can be used to convert biomass into valuable products. We use advanced computational technologies to discover how biomolecules and organisms function and interact. We pioneer new methods for prediction, prevention, diagnostics and treatment of diseases.
The Division of Molecular Bioscience offer a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment where researchers combine experimental biology with enabling technologies.
About the research project
The Doctoral student project will design platforms that combine immunosensing with precisely controlled environments to dissect immune-cell signaling in real time. You will integrate these platforms with optical readouts and image-based assays, and apply them for single-cell quantification of receptor activation, cell–cell communication and dynamic pathway responses in well-defined microenvironments.
Who we are looking for
The following requirements are mandatory:
- To qualify as a Doctoral student, you must have a Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a Master’s degree (magisterexamen) of 60 credits* in Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or similar
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
- Experience in experimental work relevant to the project (e.g., microfluidics, bioanalytical assays, cell-based experiments, or related laboratory techniques)
- In this position, you will need strong collaboration skills, curiosity, and a structured approach to problem solving
*for students with an education earned outside of Sweden, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree is accepted.
The following experience will strengthen your application:
- Microfluidics
- Biosensing / bioanalytical methods (fluorescence-based assays)
- Cell culture and/or immunology-related assays
- Microscopy and quantitative image analysis
- Data analysis skills (Python/MATLAB/R) and reproducible workflows
- Surface chemistry / biomolecular functionalization is a plus
What you will do
- Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate school of Biosciences
- Develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing
- Design microfluidic chips for controlled stimulation, sampling, and time-resolved measurements
- Develop and optimize on‑chip immunosensing assays
- Integrate measurement modalities and validate device performance
- Run experiments with relevant immune cells and perturbations to generate dynamic signaling datasets
- Communicate results through presentations, manuscripts, and well-documented methods; contribute to a collaborative research environment.
- The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 percent of working hours
You will receive scientific mentorship while gaining broad technical training at the interface of microfluidics, biosensing, and immunology.
Contract terms
- The Doctoral student positions are fully funded from start.
- The position is a fixed-term appointment of four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position up to five years.
- A starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025).
- Doctoral studies require physical presence throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise the admission may be withdrawn.
What we offer
- As a Doctoral student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
- A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
- Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.
Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.
If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.
Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.
Application procedure
The application should be written in English and attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.
CV
Personal letter
- A brief introduction about yourself.
- A brief motivation as to why you are interested in this position.
Bachelor’s and, if available, master’s thesis together with the transcripts.
Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.
A background check may be conducted as part of the application process.
Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview.
We welcome your application no later than June 4, 2026.
For questions, please contact:
Alexandra Stubelius
Associate Professor
[email protected]
We look forward to your application!
*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***
Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.
Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!
