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

The division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology is part of the Centre for Molecular Protein Science (CMPS), Department of Chemistry. CMPS offers a creative and strong research environment with excellent infrastructure and several successful research groups that have attracted prestigious grants from the European Research Council and Wallenberg Foundation (see https://www.cmps.lu.se for more information)

The current position is placed in Prof. Susanna Horsefield’s research group. The focus of the research is to understand the molecular mechanisms behind how dysfunctional regulation of human membrane proteins leads to disease and obtain structural models that can be used for structure-based drug design.  

Subject description

The project involves structural and functional studies of human membrane proteins with high medical relevance. The goal is to obtain a deeper understanding of their physiological and pathophysiological role and generate information that can be used to develop drugs against for example Type 2 Diabetes and neurodegenerative disease.

Work duties

The work involves expression, purification and functional and structural characterization of several human membrane proteins. You will work with methods for recombinant overproduction of membrane proteins in yeast, interaction studies, membrane transport studies using proteoliposomes and structural determination using cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography. You will be trained in the latest techniques within membrane protein structural biology.

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 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 Biochemistry if the applicant has a minimum of 120 credits are to derive from chemistry courses, of which at least 30 credits from a second-cycle degree project in the chosen specialisation or a closely related specialisation.

The specific entry requirements can also be fulfilled through an equivalent programme. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Additional requirements:

• Master degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedicine, Molecular Biology or similar with a significant part of the studies conducted in protein science.
• Masters project with experimental work on molecular studies of membrane proteins
• 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:

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

Other assessment criteria:

Practical experience of the following are considered as strong merits:

• Recombinant overproduction of human membrane proteins in yeast
• Purification and biophysical characterization of human membrane proteins
• Studies of membrane transport using proteoliposomes

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. 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.).

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§.