PhD student in Biochemistry – time-resolved single-particle electron microscopy

PhD student in Biochemistry
Structure and dynamics of proteins using time-resolved single-particle cryo EM.

Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences 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 for Life Sciences – BMC at our website. 

Project description
We are looking for a PhD student to study the structure of proteins using cryo electron microscopy (cryo EM), in particular by using and developing time-resolved variants. The project aims at developing various compounds for light activation of (non-light-driven) enzymatic reactions. With these new methods, we aim to solve the structures of receptor proteins in the microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, ATPases (ATP activated) and proteins in the respiratory chain (charge transfer).

You are expected to be involved in all steps of the project, i.e. to plan, prepare and perform experiments, and to analyze and publish the data. You will be required to gain in-depth understanding of data analysis in cryo EM. Depending on your background and interests, the emphasis of the project will be adapted and can focus more on method-development aspects (building optical apparatus) or on the structural biology aspects of the project, however, you should be prepared to cover both to a significant degree.

Tasks may include:
• Performing and analysis of time-resolved cryo EM
• Method development in time-resolved cryo EM, including computational methods
• Protein expression and purification
• Structural interpretation and publication of results in a biochemical context
• 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, which strives for excellent research. You are expected to grow into an independent researcher by the end of your PhD.

The position is placed in the Westenhoff research group. The group 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 (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, more information about the general requirements can be found here.
• A person has special eligibility for a doctoral program in biochemistry if he/she has passed examinations in courses in biochemistry (or other subjects relevant to biochemistry) comprising a total of at least 120 higher education credits or the equivalent. The courses shall comprise at least 90 credits in chemistry, including at least 45 credits in biochemistry of which at least 15 credits shall consist of a project 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 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 relevant to the project.

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 %. 2026-03-01 or 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  21 December 2025, 2025, UFV-PA 2025/3717.

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