PHD position in Biochemistry - structure and dynamics of photoreceptor proteins time-resolved serial crystallography.

PhD position in Biochemistry
structure and dynamics of photoreceptor proteins time-resolved serial crystallography.

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 45,000 students, more than 7,000 employees and a turnover of around SEK 7 billion.

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.

We are looking for a student for studying structural changes of photoreceptor proteins using time-resolved diffraction methods. A concrete goal will be to structurally characterize the structural effects of charge transfer (for example in cryptochrome and photolyase proteins) using time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography at Free-electron laser sources.

Time-resolved crystallography is a cutting-edge method to study femto- microsecond structural changes of proteins while they function. The project requires production and crystallization of protein, performance of time-resolved crystallography experiments at Free electron laser sources, and advanced data analysis of the time-resolved crystallographic data in terms of structure and dynamics.

You are expected to be involved in all steps of this collaborative project, however, depending on your background and interest the emphasis of your work will be adapted. You will be required to work at the forefront of the method and develop it further, both in terms of performing the experiment and on the data analysis side.

Tasks may include:

• Independent planning and performance of experimental work
• Identification and publication of the results
• Scientific collaboration within and outside the group
• Communication of the results
• Development of the methods

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, which strives for excellent research. You are expected to grow into an independent researcher at the end of your PhD.

The position is placed in the Westenhoff research group. The group (currently 10+ members, placed in the division of biochemistry) has the goal to uncover structural dynamics of proteins and chemical reactions. The research group stretches from biochemistry, over biophysics to machine learning is well funded and continuously publishes in high impact journals. We foster a creative working environment, where you will find freedom to implement, develop, and publish research of highest quality. 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 (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 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.

Qualifying
We are looking for a highly driven person, who shows clear signs to perform research work independently and can work effectively in a team. Primarily, we are looking for a biochemist, structural biologist, biophysicist, or other backgrounds if your curriculum contains a strong chemistry component.

Doctoral students are normally engaged for some teaching at undergraduate and graduate level. Previous experience from teaching/mentoring, even from environments outside the school/university, as well as other outreach activities may therefore be meritorious.

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 %. Start of employment as otherwise agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position please contact: Prof Sebastian Westenhoff sebastian.westenhoff@kemi.uu.se, +46 73 469 72 67.

Please submit your application by 19 mars 2026. UFV-PA 2026/475.

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Submit your application through Uppsala University’s recruitment system.