PhD student 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 and Organic 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 100 employees, and of them around 40 PhD students and 10 Professors. 

You can find more information about us here. 

We are looking for a graduate student in Chemistry with specialization in Biochemistry in a research group led by Erik Marklund (find out more about our research group here)

Description of project: Techniques for the study of molecules in the gas phase – aerosolized without water or other solvents – can have the advantages that they can analyze the different states and species that can exist in a sample separately, and that they enable a wide repertoire of means to manipulate the molecules in the experiment. Advances made in this area has enabled studies of intact protein complexes and other macromolecules. Calculations, simulations, and theory has proven to have an important role in this context, and we drive their development and apply them, for the study of macromolecular structure, dynamics, and interactions. For example, we want to explore how virus proteins self-assemble into virus capsids that enclose the viral genome, hoping to accelerate both biochemical basic research and strengthen our society’s defence against viral infections through development of new medicines.

Appointment period: The PhD position is for four years, extendable with department duties at a level of at most 20%, typically teaching. Starting date as agreed.

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 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 andguidelines.

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. 

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. 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 science Master's degree in biochemistry, chemistry, physics, or similar experience. Strong knowledge in molecular dynamics simulations, native mass spectrometry, bioinformatics, or structural biology is a merit.

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 (only in Swedish)

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, both in Sweden and internationally. 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.

The project concerns the structures, dynamics, and interactions, and the biophysical methods that can be used for their study. Since the project to a high degree is based on calculations and simulations, it is desirable that you have an aptitude, interest, and experience to apply chemical or physical theory and calculations to macromolecular systems.

Uppsala University finds that gender balance and diversity bring a higher quality to the organization. We therefore welcome applicants of any gender, with different birth background and life experience.

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 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, as well as personal suitability.

In filling this position, we aim to recruit the person who, in a combined evaluation of competence, skills, personal suitability, 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.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.
 
Starting date: As agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: Erik Marklund, erik.marklund@kemi.uu.se, 018-471 45 62..

Please submit your application no later than January 25, 2021, UFV-PA 2020/5019.

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.