Doctoral student in biochemistry - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Job description

The project is directed towards enzymology for conversion of hemicellulose, which is an abundant but unexploited carbohydrate-based plant fiber. The structure, function and applications of enzymes of the type glycoside-hydrolases will be studied. Aligning with the biorefinery concept (i.e. use of renewable resources), the project contributes methodology for green and sustainable production of environmentally friendly biochemicals and materials. The studied enzymes (e.g. beta-mannanases) can cleave hemicellulose into prebiotic carbohydrates which may stimulate gut bacteria. Another application is the synthetic capacity of selected enzymes to generate future smart materials with biomedical and technical applications.  

The aim is to build up new knowledge, generate and evaluate new applicable enzymes. These new enzymes will be discovered and generated with bioinformatics, gene-technology and protein engineering. They will be analysed for catalytic properties and product profiles (e.g. by mass-spectrometry and HPLC). Part of the methodology is described in ”Rosengren et al. 2014 (Appl. Microbiol. Biotech., 98, 10091-10104)”. Knowledge will be built up about the function and the structure of the enzymes (X-ray crystallography at MAX IV and electron microscopy within collaborations). The project lies within strategic research areas and includes cross-disciplinary collaborations.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should have at least 4 years of academic education in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology or similar including an independent practical project. Experience of relevant research and the above described methods are merits. Very good English communication skills are required.

How to apply

Application in English is done online and should include a personal letter, CV with contact information (email) to two reference persons, list of courses with grades achieved and the diploma of the achieved degree. MSc thesis (or similar) should be attached. Other merits can be included.

In the application the following questions should be answered: i) why should you be considered for the PhD-position? (1/2 A4-page). ii) based on the article ”Rosengren et al. 2014”, referred to above, independently state a relevant research problem in the context of the project and describe how it potentially could be practically solved and connect to your own experience (1/2 A4-page).

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.