Doctoral student in biochemistry/structural biology with focus on biotechnology

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology conducts high-quality research and education in chemical sciences and molecular life sciences. Our research and education focuses on a deep understanding of chemical and biological processes in cells and in the environment.

We address important societal issues such as antibiotic resistance, cancer, brain diseases, environmental problems and climate change. In this way, we contribute to achieving the UN's global goals for sustainable development in the areas of good health and well-being, sustainable energy for all, sustainable cities and communities, and combating climate change.

The department is an international environment with interdisciplinary collaborations in both research and education, and contributes strongly to the University of Gothenburg's top ranking in life science.

The department is responsible for postgraduate education in the subject area Natural Sciences with a focus on chemistry, biophysics, biology and educational science. In addition, the department hosts educational programs in molecular biology, genomics and systems biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry, as well as prescription education. The department collaborates with various societal actors such as schools, business and authorities. The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology has around 200 employees. We are located in central premises both on Campus Johanneberg and on Campus Medicinareberget in Gothenburg.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages. 

https://www.gu.se/en/science/doctoral-studies/become-a-phd-student-at-the-faculty-of-science   

 

Duties   

The Morud Lekholm research group studies dynamical changes at ligand-gated ion channels using molecular biology, biochemical and biophysical techniques. The current PhD project is part of an interdisciplinary collaboration with several research groups at the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, and in Germany. The common aim of the project is to develop a new method to study structural changes of ion channels in real-time. The PhD student will produce several mutant versions of a pH-activated prokaryotic ion channel adapted for chemical conjugation to gold nanoparticles. The position therefore also involves surface chemical tasks in close collaboration with the Lundgren research group. The student will be placed at the division for biochemistry and structural biology, a highly international environment. The PhD student is expected to actively participate in experiments at European synchrotron and X-ray free electron laser facilities.

The main task for the PhD student will be to produce recombinant ion channels in E. coli and to purify large amounts of this protein using chromatographic techniques. This work also includes using molecular biology methods to produce new mutant versions of the protein that can be chemically conjugated to gold nanoparticles. The PhD student will therefore perform surface chemical modifications of gold nanoparticles and take part in the process of validating the function of these protein-nanoparticle bioconjugates, which includes the use of analytical chemistry methods and microscopy. The ion channel-nanoparticle conjugates will be used to study structural changes of the ion channel dynamically in X-ray scattering experiments where it can be activated by lowering the pH using a photolabile protoncage molecule. An important component of the project is analysis of large-scale datasets of X-ray scattering data collected at European synchrotron and X-ray free electron laser facilities.

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration. At the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology the PhD students are an essential component of the teaching activities. The PhD student is excepted to teach 10-20%, a common form of teaching is as lab assistant for educational practical exercises in bachelor and master courses. The teaching time is added to the standard 4-year PhD contract.
 

Education at third-cycle level comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree. 

  

Eligibility   

To be eligible for third-cycle studies, the applicant must meet both the general and specific entry requirements: A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle courses and study programs if he or she:

1. has been awarded a second-cycle qualification,
2. has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
3. has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, applicants must: (i) have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or (ii) have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or (iii) have completed a corresponding program of relevance to the planned third-cycle program, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.

*Relevant for the planned third-cycle education

The specific entry requirements also include an acceptable command of spoken and written English. Guidelines for assessing English proficiency may include a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL test (or 213 on the TOEFL-CBT, or 79 on the TOEFL-iBT).

Assessment criteria   

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the education at third-cycle level.   

In selecting between applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements, their ability to benefit from third-cycle studies shall be taken into account. The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for the following criteria:

The candidate is expected to have good biochemical or biotechnical knowledge. The student should be able to collaborate with ease with other scientists within a larger team and have high quality communication skills. It is of great importance that the applicant can work independently, has the willingness to learn new skills and is fluent in English, both written language and for oral communication.  

Employment   

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, four years full time

Extent: 100 %

Location: Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Gothenburg

First day of employment: As soon as possible based on agreement

Once you have been admitted for education at third-cycle level, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for education on a doctoral level are given in SFS 1993:100.

A new employment as a PhD student applies for a maximum of one year. The Appointment may be prolonged for up to two years at a time. A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at third-cycle level for four years. 

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

 

Contact information 

Julia Morud Lekholm, assistant professor, julia.morud@gu.se

Anders Lundgren, senior researcher, anders.lundgren@gu.se

Richard Neutze, professor, richard.neutze@gu.se

 

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande   

  

Application   

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

You must include the following, in PDF format

• Personal letter
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
• Proof of completion of  English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies
• Two references (name, e-mail, telephone number, relation)

If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

Closing date: 8th of May 2024   

 

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

  

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.