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

Description of the workplace

At CMPS (Biochemistry & Structural Biology and Biophysical Chemistry), basic research on proteins is conducted with a strong focus on their molecular characteristics and functions. The great challenge of the future is to understand how the specific structure, interaction, and dynamics of thousands of proteins form the basis of biological life processes. Basic research in this area is essential for future biomedical and biotechnological innovations. Key research areas include pharmaceuticals, health, smart materials, biological risks of nanoparticles, biofuels, biosensors, paleoenzymology (studies of prehistoric life using enzymes), sustainable biocatalysis, and mass spectrometry.

Being a doctoral student

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.

As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

Subject and project description

Biophysical chemistry involves research directed towards molecular questions in biological systems. The experimental and theoretical methods used often have their origins in physics. The biophysical chemistry research within the divisions of Physical Chemistry and Biochemistry and Structural Biology (Department of Chemistry), include experimental and theoretical research on soft and biological matter. Significant work is devoted to protein self-assembly and co-assembly and interactions with other biomolecules.

The current project is focussed on a class of chaperone proteins that through interactions increase the solubility of other proteins (clients) and thus prevent precipitation, often through amyloid fibril formation. The aim is to understand the fundamentals of chaperone self-assembly as well as chaperone-client interactions and co-assembly. The specific aims include determination of size-distributions, partition coefficients, stoichiometries, equilibrium versus kinetic traps, energy barriers, and elucidation of co-assembly structures over a range of length scales.

The PhD student will be part of a collaborative network of students and researchers at the divisions of Biochemistry and Structural Biology (http://www.cmps.lu.se/biostruct/) and Physical Chemistry (http://www.physchem.lu.se) at Lund University. The PhD student will be admitted in biochemistry.

Work duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, which includes participation in research projects as well as third cycle courses, seminars and conferences.

The project includes experimental studies of chaperone self-assembly and chaperon-client interactions and co-assembly with amyloid forming proteins. The aim is to characterize and understand the relevant protein-protein interactions involved, and the origin of client solubility enhancement at the molecular level. The studies will involve different chaperones and client amyloid proteins. The experimental studies will include the use of several state-of-the art techniques. Relevant experimental methods that are available include optical and NMR spectroscopy, calorimetry, neutron, X-ray and light scattering techniques, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance and other surface techniques, optical and electron microscopy aas well as microfluidics diffusional measurements. The PhD student will execute planning, methodology development, experimental work and data analysis. The detailed direction of the research studies, including the choice of experimental techniques and approaches will be decided together with the supervisors.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to research studies, which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (not more than 20%).

Qualifications

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

Admission requirements:

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he / she / they:

• 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:

• At least 120 higher education credits must consist of chemistry courses, of which at least 30 higher education credits are graduate work at advanced level within the chosen major or closely related majors. The special authorization may also have been obtained through other equivalent training, which is tested in each individual case.

Additional requirements:

In order to complete the doctoral programme in question, the following are also required:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Written and oral communication skills
• Good knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the work duties. This includes theoretical knowledge in physical chemistry, biochemistry and biophysical chemistry, practical experience of purification of amyloid proteins and chaperones to high homogeneity as well as practical experience of studies of amyloid proteins and chaperones in terms of their self- and co-aggregation.
• Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience of biophysical studies of proteins.
• Ability to work independently and to design experiments that can address specific research questions.

Other qualifications:

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications:

• Documented experience of scientific experimental studies of self- and co-assembly processes in lipid, peptide and/or protein systems, as well as imaging of liquid-liquid separation, is a great advantage, including experience of as well as both hand-on and theoretical knowledge of one or several of the experimental methods mentioned above.

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.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

More about working at Lund University on lu.se. https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university

About the employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting 2026-02-01 or as agreed. Third cycle studies consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

More about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University’s Staffpages. https://www.staff.lu.se/research-and-education/research-support/doctoral-education/terms-employment-doctoral-students

 How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include:

• CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background.
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project.
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application.