Doctoral student in pure and applied biochemistry with a focus on the understanding, mapping and engineering of plant hemoglobins - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description
Hemoglobins occur in a very large number of different organisms, in addition to humans and animals, also in bacteria and plants. Plants often have several different types of hemoglobins with differences in structure and function. In the project, these hemoglobins will be characterized at both the DNA and protein levels. The genes for hemoglobin will be expressed in bacteria and yeast, and then produced and purified from these heterologous host cells.

The project will use a cross-disciplinary methodology to create a thorough overview of the metabolic mechanisms that hemoglobins use. This will be done both in cell cultures and in plants. The goal is to use the knowledge generated to improve the availability of iron in patients suffering from anemic conditions. The project will be carried out at Lund University, at the division of Pure and Applied Biochemistry in collaboration with several domestic and foreign partners.

Work duties
The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will 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 he or she:

• 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:

• Practical experience of working with animal cell cultures.
• Practical experience of advanced genetic engineering from a biochemical or biomedical laboratory.
• Practical experience of statistical processing of experimental results.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English. 

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 on the basis of 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. These may be demonstrated through documents appended to the application and at a possible interview.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. The assessment could be made on the basis of the student’s degree project and a discussion of this at a possible interview.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience

Other assessment criteria

• Documented experience of working with experimental test animals.
• Practical experience of transcript analysis.

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 successfully 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.).

Your are also asked to answer the job specific questions.