PhD Student in Chemistry with a Specialization in Organic Chemistry

PhD Student in Chemistry with a Specialization in Organic Chemistry
The 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
Novel synthetic tools are necessary for the development and efficient production of new pharmaceuticals and functional materials. The control of chirality throughout synthetic procedures is just as important as it is challenging.

This project focuses on the development of novel synthetic tools based on the use of chiral diboronates that are designed to enable the generation of a broad spectrum of chiral organic molecules through target- and diversity-oriented synthesis. It is financed by the Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and hence the work is performed in close collaboration of four leading research teams active at Uppsala University and Stockholm University. These contribute to the project with knowledge in synthetic organic chemistry, physical organic chemistry, quantum chemistry, NMR spectroscopy and computer science. The successful candidate will become part of an international multidisciplinary environment and will receive ample opportunities for learning, collaboration and knowledge transfer.

The objective of this specific Ph.D. project is the solution NMR spectroscopic investigation of the reaction mechanisms of the chemical transformations that are being developed. The NMR studies will be performed in close collaboration with synthetic and computational chemist. The successful candidate will receive training in advanced solution NMR spectroscopy and synthetic organic chemistry, and will gain knowledge in computational chemistry. Whereas the focus will be on organoboron chemistry, the overall training is expected to provide a wide set of skills in organic chemistry and NMR spectroscopy.

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 (not more than 20 % of full time).

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 Master’s level, including an independent project equivalent to at least 15 credits, or has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way, is required. More information about the general requirements can be found here. 
• A student has special eligibility for doctoral studies in organic chemistry if s/he has passed courses of at least 90 higher education credits (or equivalent) of courses relevant to the specialization. At least 40 higher education credits must be in organic chemistry at an advanced level (second cycle). More information about the subject specific requirements can be found here. 
• Very good English proficiency in speech and writing.
• A Master´s degree in organic or medicinal chemistry, in pharmacy or have similar experience.

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

• Knowledge and practical experience with NMR spectroscopy will be seen as very strong merit.
• Knowledge and practical experience with organoboron chemistry will be seen as a strong merit.
• This project requires that you are able to work independently, and that you also have excellent collaborative skills as the project will require that you are able to collaborate with scientists from other universities and industry.
• You should have relevant scientific experiences to the project.

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 specific research field. High emphasis will be put on personal qualifications required for the project.

In filling these positions, we aim to recruit the persons 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 contributing to a positive development of the department.

Doctoral students are normally involved in some teaching at the undergraduate and advanced levels. Previous experience in teaching/mentorship, even from environments outside school/university, as well as other outreach activities, may therefore be considered a merit.

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

About the employment

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100%. Starting date as agreed or latest on 2024-07-01. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: 

Mate Erdelyi (e-mail: mate.erdelyi@kemi.uu.se, +46729999166).

Please submit your application by April 27 2025, UFV-PA 2025/800.