Doctoral student in structural biology focusing on virus replication

Description of the workplace

The Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology aims to understand fundamental life processes at the molecular level using experimental and computational methods. The division is part of the Centre for Molecular Protein Science (CMPS) at the Department of Chemistry. CMPS consists of research groups with expertise in a wide range of biochemical and biophysical methods and offers a creative and strong research environment with excellent infrastructure (see https://www.cmps.lu.se for more information).

The position is based in Dr. Anna Munke’s research group. The group focuses on structural studies of viruses, primarily using electron microscopy, complemented by additional methods to understand structure and function.

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

Diatoms are a group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms that play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. They produce oxygen, store carbon dioxide, and form an important part of the marine food chain. Diatoms are infected by various types of viruses, often small and host-specific, which can influence algal population dynamics and evolution, thereby affecting ecosystem function.

The PhD project involves studying the mechanisms underlying virus replication in diatoms. The project includes analyses of virus-infected cells, isolated viruses, and viral proteins. The work is primarily based on structural methods such as cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, and X-ray crystallography, complemented by additional techniques.

The PhD student will be admitted to the doctoral programme in Molecular Biophysics.

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.

In the project, your tasks may include:

• Cultivating diatoms for virus infection.
• Performing recombinant expression of viral proteins.
• Isolating proteins and virus particles using biochemical methods.
• Characterizing samples with complementary techniques.
• Preparing samples for structural determination.
• Analyzing collected structural data.
• Writing and publishing scientific articles.

You will have access to the synchrotron at the MAX IV Laboratory for X-ray crystallography and a newly installed Glacios microscope in Lund. Cryo-electron microscopy will also be carried out at national facilities in Stockholm and Umeå.

The position also includes participation in teaching and other departmental duties (up to a maximum of 20% of working time).

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 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 Molecular Biophysics if the applicant has:

• At least 120 higher education credits must consist of chemistry courses, including a basic course in biochemistry or cell biology, of which at least 30 credits should be a degree project at the advanced level within the chosen specialization or closely related fields.
• Specific eligibility may also be obtained through other equivalent education, which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Additional requirements

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

• master’s degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology or related subject
• documented practical experience in experimental biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, virology, cell biology, or similar.
• good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• good written and oral communication skills
• very good knowledge of English, spoken and written

Other qualifications 

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

• Practical experience in recombinant protein expression
• Practical experience in purification and characterization of biomolecules
• Practical experience in structural biology work

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 1 March 2026, 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.