PhD Position in Biochemistry - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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. 

You can find more information about us here.

We are looking for a PhD student in Biochemistry in the group of Professor Mikael Widersten.

Project description
The PhD project will include directed enzyme evolution to create new biocatalysts that can be applied for synthetic purposes. Also, metabolic engineering of microorganisms will be included to achieve in vivo synthesis of chemicals (synthetic biology).

The PhD project will be integrated into ongoing activities within the Widersten group. You can read more about the current research here.

Appointment period
The PhD position is for four years, extendable with department duties at a level of at most 20%, typically teaching. The time for employment can be prolonged if specific reasons exist.

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 biochemistry and to broaden your perspective and knowledge of biochemistry 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 guidelines.

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. You can read more about how it is to be a post graduate student with us here.

Requirements
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. For a PhD education in biochemistry the requirements are at least 45 credits in biochemistry, of which 15 credits should be thesis work.

It is desired that you have a Master´s degree in Biochemistry / Molecular Biology or similar experience.

To be employed as a PhD student, you must be accepted in the postgraduate program. Information concerning doctoral education, requirements and rules of admission can be found here and the study plan for postgraduate studies in analytical chemistry/biochemistry/organic chemistry can be found here  

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 you will collaborate with different people both inside and outside our university. 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.

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 as enzymology, chemical biology etc.. Such additional experience should be demonstrated 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 and are judged most suitable to carry out and develop the project-in-hand. 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, 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.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students and teaching assistants.
 
Starting date: 2018-10-01 or otherwise agreed, temporary position

Type of position: Full time position.

For further information about the position please contact
Mikael Widersten, e-mail: mikael.widersten@kemi.uu.se, tel:  018-471 4992

Please submit your application by July 31 2018,  UFV-PA 2018/2622.

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.