Doctoral student in pure and applied Biochemistry with focus on neutron scattering - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

SwedNESS: The project is a part of SwedNESS, a national graduate school for Neutron research in Sweden. Please see link for more information http://swedness.se/ 

The objectives of the doctoral project are to determine the structure and structural changes underlying protein aggregation and fibrillation using an in situ combinations of neutron scattering and optical spectroscopy. The application of the method has a broader impact on our general understanding of biological processes happening at multiple time and length scales as well as involving different reactive species. 

Work duties

The work will be carried out in close collaboration with partners at Malmö University and the European Spallation Source (ESS, Lund), combining competences on experimental aspects and data modelling, and offer broad learning opportunities in a growing field of biomolecular science.

You are expected to be involved in all steps of the project, i.e. to prepare and to perform experiments on instruments both in the laboratory and at large-scale facilities, as well as to analyse and to publish the data.

In return, you will be given ample 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 with complementary competencies.

• The research involves the design and testing of experiments using optical spectroscopy and scattering as well as analysis of data, including the use of multivariate analysis.
• The doctoral student is expected to assist in the supervision of MSc degree projects
• The project is a collaboration with Malmö University and the ESS, and the doctoral student is expected to contribute to these collaborations actively.
• The doctoral student is expected to take part in the activities arranged by SwedNESS graduate school.

Working duties may specifically include:

• planning, preparation, and implementation of small-angle scattering experiment in combination with optical spectroscopy at neutron sources protein production and sample optimisation
• develop strategies to simultaneously collect and interpret small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering and complementary techniques data as UV-VIS, Fluorescence and Raman spectroscopies for protein assembly.
• develop data analysis routines for kinetic studies of protein assembly/aggregation/fibrillation
• identification and publication of the results
• scientific collaboration within and outside the group and within the consortium
• communication of the results

Supplement with further details about the research project and work duties.

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

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third-cycle studies in Pure and Applied Biochemistry if the applicant has:

• at least 30 credits in the subject, of which at least 15 credits from the second cycle and a specialised project of at least 15 second-cycle credits in the subject, or
• an MSc in Engineering, other Master’s degree or other comparable degree that included basic or applied bioscience.

Additional requirements:

• Excellent oral and written proficiency in English.
• A background in structural biology, physical chemistry, protein chemistry or protein biophysics.
• Experience with data collection or analysis using neutron or synchrotron techniques is considered important
• Experience with small-angle scattering is considered important.
• Experience in kinetic studies, for example biomolecular aggregation/assembly.
• Experience with multidisciplinary projects is important. 

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily based on academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of the ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience. 

Other assessment criteria

• Ability to supervise younger researchers.
• International experience is considered positive.
• Experiences in scientific programming, molecular modelling and/or scattering are merits.
• Experiences in HPLC, UV-VIS, and/or Fluorescence analysis are an advantage for the candidate.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third-cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§. 

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).