Uppsala universitet, institutionen för kemi - BMC

The department of Chemistry – BMC is located within Uppsala University Biomedical Center. We conduct teaching and outstanding research in areas of Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry. Research education is given within these subjects. We have interfaces towards pre-clinical biomedicine and the clinic, pharmacy, physics and materials science. The department has approximately 140 employees, and of them around 40 PhD students and 10 Professors. 
Click here to find more information about us.

We are looking for a graduate student in Chemistry with specialization in Organic Chemistry

Description of project
This project aims to fight bacterial resistance against existing antibiotics through development of metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitors. These substances will be given as part of combination therapies along with antibiotics to protect the latter against enzymatic cleavage. This interdisciplinary project will include the expression and purification of proteins, fragment screening by NMR, quantification of binding strength and identification of the binding mode and binding site of small molecular drug candidates to beta-lactamases using advanced NMR spectroscopic techniques. The studied compounds will also be tested for activity against isolated beta-lactamases as well as against bacteria, in collaboration. The project will provide training in medicinal chemistry and in advanced NMR spectroscopic techniques.

Appointment period
The PhD position is for four years, extendable to a maximum of five years by including department duties at a level of at most 20%, typically teaching. The time for employment can be prolonged if special reasons exist.

Nature of duties
As a PhD student in our team you will perform graduate studies within the subject and is expected to carry out advanced research in structural biology and to broaden your perspective and knowledge of organic chemistry and structural biology by taking relevant graduate courses.

Rules governing PhD candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and regulations.

PhD students with employment in our department are normally expected to teach and participate in general departmental work, such as instrument maintenance, to a level corresponding to a maximum of 20% of the employment time.

Click here more about how it is to be a post graduate student with us here. 

Qualifications
To qualify for a PhD position, you must have at least 240 credits (hp), or an equivalent basic university education, with at least 90 credits in chemistry and 60 credits at the advanced level in the specialization subject. At least 40 higher education credits (or international equivalent) must be in organic chemistry at an advanced level (before 2007: CD-level).

It is desired that you have a science Master´s degree in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry or biochemistry or similar experience. Knowledge and practical experience in NMR spectroscopy, especially in ensemble analysis, will be seen as a strong merit for this employment.

To be employed as a PhD student, you must be accepted in the postgraduate program. Click here to find information concerning doctoral education, requirements and rules of admission. Click here to find the study plan for postgraduate studies in organic chemistry.

We place great emphasis on your personal qualifications. You need to have a strong motivation for the research project and to be able to contribute with creative ideas. This project requires that you are able to work independently, but that you also have excellent collaborative skills as the project will occasionally require that you are able to collaborate with scientists from other universities. You also need good language skills in English in order to be able to interact, write and publish internationally. Levels corresponding to IELTS: overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5; TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1-6) in written test and a total score of 575, internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0-30) in written test and a total score of 90; Cambridge: CAE, CPE are acceptable.

It is important for us to keep our lab and instruments clean and organized. Accordingly you must be very organized and systematic in your work, and ready to actively contribute to a pleasant and productive work environment.

Experience with NMR spectroscopic structure analysis, especially ensemble analysis of flexible compounds with NAMFIS, and a strong background in biochemistry will be considered as advantage. Independency and ability of critical and analytical thinking are necessities for the completion of this project and will therefore be valued at the selection of candidates. Teaching experience will be seen as a strong merit.

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Criteria for ranking
The ranking of applicants will be based on undergraduate grades, on the undergraduate education profile and on any additional experience of research in areas of relevance for the research project. Such additional experience should be documented and included in your application, e.g. through articles published in international peer-reviewed journals or by employment at companies or other institutions active in the field of research. High emphasis will also be put on personal qualifications required for the project.

In filling this position, we aim to recruit the person who, in a combined evaluation of competence, skills and documented qualifications, are judged most suitable to carry out and develop the project-in-hand and to contribute to a positive development of the department of chemistry. Interviews will be performed with the top candidates through visits to us or by electronic means.

Your application
Your application must include a personal letter with a short description of yourself and the reasons why you are interested in the position. You must also include a CV, authorized copies of degrees and diplomas, copies of your bachelor or master thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you want to provide. Names and contact details of at least two scientists that have offered to act as references for you must also be included, with a clear indication of their relationship to you.

For further information about the position please contact Mate Erdelyi (e-mail: mate.erdelyi@kemi.uu.se + 46729999166).

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students and teaching assistants.
 
Starting date: Will be agreed, temporary position for four to five years.

Type of position: Full time position.

Please submit your application by 16th of May 2018. Use the link below to get to the application form.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Will be agreed
Salary Fixed salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Uppsala
County Uppsala län
Country Sweden
Reference number UFV-PA 2018/1601
Union representative
  • Ellena Papaioannou, Seko, 018-471 3315
  • Suzanne Borén Andersson, TCO/ST, 018-471 6251
  • Per Sundman, Saco-rådet, 018-471 1485
Published 27.Apr.2018
Last application date 16.May.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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