Thesis work, 60 credits – Establishing In Vitro Models of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Acute Kidney Injury for Preclinical Drug Discovery

Are you passionate about pioneering new models in kidney disease research and driving innovation in drug discovery Join AstraZenecas Renal Biosciences Team for your masters thesis project where youll develop and validate advanced vitro models of mitochondrial dysfunction in acute kidney injury (AKI).

About AstraZeneca:

AstraZeneca is a global science-led patient-centered biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering developing and commercializing prescription medicines for some of the worlds most serious diseases. But were more than a global leading pharmaceutical company. At AstraZeneca were dedicated to being a Great Place to Work and empowering employees to push the boundaries of science and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit.

About the Opportunity:

As a Thesis Worker at AstraZeneca youll find an environment thats full of unique opportunities and exciting challenges. Here youll have the opportunity to pursue your areas of interest whilst equally developing a broad skillset and knowledge base to get the best out of your experience. Youll be working on meaningful projects to make an impact and deliver real value for our patients and our business.

Thesis work description:

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical condition characterized by a rapid decline in renal function affecting millions globally and carrying high morbidity and mortality rates often progressing to chronic kidney disease (CKD) .
This Masters thesis project will focus on developing and validating in vitro models of mitochondrial dysfunction in Acute kidney injury (AKI) using human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. The project will involve establishing an AKI model in these cells characterizing mitochondrial function using advanced assays such as the Seahorse XF analyzer and fluorescence microscopy and assessing the models responsiveness to known modulators of mitochondrial function. The ultimate goal is to create a robust and reproducible in vitro model that can be utilized for high-throughput screening of potential therapeutic compounds aimed at mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction in AKI. Understanding the pathogenesis of AKI may facilitate the discovery of therapeutic targets and the development of clinical drugs ultimately leading to reduced mortality rates. Clarifying the specific mechanisms underlying AKI can aid in the early diagnosis of the disease and the discovery of specific drugs for intervention.

Upon completion of this project the student will have gained:

• Extensive hands-on experience in advanced mammalian cell culture techniques including establishing and characterizing in vitro disease models.
• Proficiency in optimizing experimental conditions for mitochondrial functional assays including Seahorse XF analysis and fluorescence microscopy.
• Expertise in various analytical techniques such as microscopy image analysis and molecular biology methods (e.g. Western blot qPCR).
• A deep understanding of Acute kidney injury pathogenesis particularly the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and current research challenges.
• Skills in experimental design data analysis and scientific writing.
• Experience in critically evaluating scientific literature and presenting research findings.
• A strong foundation for future research in drug discovery particularly in the context of kidney diseases and mitochondrial biology.

Placement:

This is an on-site position at AstraZeneca Gothenburg.

AstraZeneca does not support with accommodations.

Structure:

Duration: Assignment start: August 2026
Credits: 60

Essential Requirements:

• Enrolled in a Swedish University
• Enrolled in a Masters program in biomedical sciences molecular medicine cell biology or related fields.
• Good networking and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Written documentation and oral communication skills in English.
• Proactive problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience in sterile mammalian cell culture.
• Experience with cell biology techniques (e.g. qPCR Western blot ELISA).

So whats next

Apply today and take the chance to be part of making a difference making connections and gaining the tools and experience to open doors and fulfil your potential. We cant wait to hear from you!

We welcome your application as soon as possible but ahead of the scheduled closing date March 31 2026. In the event that we identify suitable candidates ahead of the scheduled closing date we reserve the right to withdraw the vacancy earlier than published.

Date Posted

Closing Date