PhD student in Biochemistry - artificial intelligence in structural biology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Department of Chemistry – BMC conducts research and education in analytical chemistry, biochemistry and organic chemistry. More than 100 people, including around 45 PhD students, work at the department. New employees and students are recruited from all over the world and English is the main working language. The department is located at the Biomedical Centre in Uppsala, which facilitates collaborations with research groups in biology, pharmacy, medicine and SciLifeLab and gives access to advanced infrastructure for experimental and theoretical studies. The international environment and good opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations enables PhD students at the department to participate in relevant research projects and prepare for an international research career.

Read more about the research at The Department of Chemistry – BMC at our website.

Project description: You will use cutting-edge methods that use artificial intelligence (AI) to study protein structure. We are particularly interested in applying and developing new AI methods to interpret experimental data in cryo electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography, and to combine these methods with AI-aided prediction of protein structures.

You are expected to be involved in all steps of the project, i.e. to prepare and to perform experiments and to analyze and publish the data. The choice of sub-projects will be adjusted to your interests and previous knowledge and experiences.

Tasks may include:

• Analysis of cryo electron microscopy or crystallography data using AI.
• Prediction of protein structure with the support of AI
• Development of AI-based methods in data analysis and / or protein prediction.
• Identification and publication of the results
• Scientific collaboration within and outside the group
• Communication of the results

You will be given extensive creative space to develop the project, significant resources to produce cutting edge results, and you will profit from being part of our highly collaborative team.

The position is placed in the Westenhoff research group. The team has the goal to uncover structural dynamics of proteins and chemical reactions. The research at the interface of biology, chemistry and physics has resulted in two ERC awards and other high profile grants, and the group continuously publishes in high impact journals. Find more information on google scholar.

Duties: The main duties of PhD students are to devote themselves to their research studies, which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20 %).

 Requirements: 

• To be eligible for doctoral education, a basic higher education equivalent to at least 240 ECTS credits, including at least 60 ECTS credits at second-cycle level, or essentially equivalent competences acquired in some other way, is required. More information about the general requirements can be found here.
• To be admitted to the doctoral education programme in biochemistry, 120 ECTS credits in biochemistry or courses relevant to the biochemistry field are required. These courses shall include at least 90 ECTS credits chemistry courses, of which 45 ECTS credits are biochemistry courses where at least 15 ECTS credits consist of a degree projects in biochemistry. More information about the subject specific requirements can be found here.
• Very good English proficiency in speech and writing.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities such as good collaborative skills, motivation and independence, as well as how the applicant through his/her experience and competence is judged to have the abilities necessary to develop within and acquire the doctoral education.

Additional qualifications: We are looking for a bold person, which is highly independent and driven and can work effectively in a team. Primarily, we are looking for a biochemist/biophysicist, who has a strong interest and documented experience in programming and computational chemistry/biology.  We will also consider applications by computer scientists, who have strong experience with computational biology, for example through research experience and courses at the university level.

PhD students at the department are typically engaged in teaching at BSc and MSc level. Prior experience from teaching/mentoring, also from non-academic contexts, and outreach can therefore be considered a merit.

Application procedure: The application is preferably written in English and shall include the following documents:

• A personal letter including a brief description of yourself and your research interests.
• Curriculum vitae
• Attested copies of certificates of exams, degrees and grades.
• Contact information to at least two references (e-mail address and phone number).
• Copy of diploma thesis, publications or other relevant documents, if available.

PhD students at the department are typically engaged in teaching at BSc and MSc level. Prior experience from teaching/mentoring, also from non-academic contexts, and outreach can therefore be considered a merit.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

Starting date: 01-08-2021 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. The doctoral education programme normally consists of four years of full-time studies. The position may be combined with teaching or other departmental duties (maximum 20%), which extends the employment by the corresponding time. More information about the doctoral education programme can be found here.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: Sebastian Westenhoff, phone number 076-6183936, sebastian.westenhoff@kemi.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 19 July 2021, UFV-PA 2021/2464.

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