Doctoral student in Physics within the discipline of characterisation of artificial protein motors - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

The PhD position is placed at the Division of Solid State Physics at the Department of Physics, where extensive research is carried out centred on various aspects of nanophysics, ranging from materials science to bio- and quantum physics to various applications. The division is a central part of NanoLund, Lund University´s large interdisciplinary research centre on nanoscience and nanotechnology. The division includes Lund Nano Lab, a central and shared facility for the production of materials and components at the nanoscale. The divison has a strong commitment to undergraduate education, not least in the Master of Science in Engineering Nanoscience programme at LTH.

A significant part of the research at the division is in the area of nano-biotechnology, where we develop new methods to investigate biological systems, and to use biomolecules in nanodevices. The department hosts the ERC Synergy Grant ArtMotor (PI Heiner Linke), which aims to design and characterize functional, synthetic protein motors. As a first step, the partners will construct relatively simple protein motors that will require externally controlled stimuli. The final goal is to construct, step by step, an autonomous protein motor capable of moving along a track by transducing chemical energy.

More information can be found at: Division of Solid State Physics, Nanolund, and https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/heiner-linke, https://artmotor-synergy.eu/

Work duties

The goal of the project is to characterize artificial protein motors on single molecule level. Sup-projects are (i) to develop fluorescence-based methods to detect single steps of a motor at nanometer scale, (ii) use this to optimize and characterize the motor as it walks along a defined DNA track. The motor molecules will be provided by the collaboration partners. Methods can comprise bioanalytical and biochemical methods, fluorescence microscopy, TIRF, microfluidics, surface modification, nanofabrication as well as image analysis.

Supervisor for the PhD position will be Prof. Heiner Linke at the Division of Solid State Physics. The work will be performed in close collaboration with the other ArtMotor partners, Paul Curmi, UNSW Sydney (Australia) and Birte Höcker, University of Bayreuth (Germany), as well as Ken’ya Furuta (NICT, Japan).

The PhD student is expected to work independently as well as in close collaboration with the other partners in the project.

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 can 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 Physics if the applicant has:

• at least 30 second-cycle credits of relevance to the subject, of which at least 15 credits shall comprise a second-cycle degree project, or
• an MSc in engineering physics or an associated field, or a Master’s degree in physics or an associated field.

Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the programme.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• The basic degree should include courses in physics and biophysics.

Basis of assessment

Selection to postgraduate studies is based on the expected ability to perform well in the studies. The evaluation of the ability to perform well is based primarily on the results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of the study, see description of work duties. These can be demonstrated through attached documents.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. For example, the assessment can be based on the master thesis and a discussion about it during a possible interview.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

Other merits

• Experience in fluorescence microscopy.
• Experience in surface chemistry.
• Experience in image analysis.
• Furthermore, the research is to a large extent interdisciplinary, so a broad competence and experience in relevant areas of physics, biology and micro/nanoscience is of value.
• Being able to quickly assimilate new techniques and knowledge is an advantage.
• The ability to work in the laboratory will be essential, and experience in experimental work is an advantage, especially experience in fluorescence microscopy, surface chemistry, biochemical and molecular biological methods, optical microscopy and microfluidics.

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

Terms of employment 

Only those admitted to doctoral studies may be employed as doctoral students. The doctoral programme is four years of full-time study. In the case of teaching and other departmental work, employment is extended accordingly, up to a maximum of five years (i.e. a maximum of 20%). Employment as a doctoral student is regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications must be written in English. The application must include a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the research project matches your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, diploma or equivalent, a copy of the thesis or the equivalent, alternatively a summary if the work has not been completed, as well as anything else you wish to refer to (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Applicants are also required to answer the job specific questions in the final step of the application process.

The English version of this announcement is an interpretation of national formalities expressed in the Swedish text. In case of uncertainties, the Swedish text applies. 

Welcome with your application!