Doctoral student in Integrative Structural Biology

Subject description

This is a PhD-project within the CLIMB project (ID 101169269), funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN). CLIMB is a highly interdisciplinary Doctoral Network designed to advance our understanding of lipid membrane complexity and its potential for applications in biotechnology, healthcare, and sustainability. CLIMB brings together leading research laboratories with expertise spanning chemistry, physics, biology, and computational sciences. The CLIMB project focuses on studying the complex interplay between lipid composition, structural properties, and membrane-driven interactions, with the aim of developing advanced lipid-based materials for a variety of applications. Key research themes include:

• Understanding the role of lipid compositional complexity in membrane properties and functions.
• Developing lipid nanomaterials for use in mRNA delivery systems, bio-sensors, and sustainable formulations.
• Physicochemical characterization of aggregates formed by novel lipid mixtures, including natural extracts and polymer/peptoid coatings.

Doctoral Candidates will benefit from a rich, multidisciplinary training environment, with opportunities to collaborate with both small and large industrial partners, contributing to cutting-edge research with real-world applications. Selected candidates will engage in multidisciplinary research, participate in international secondments across academic and industrial settings, and contribute to high-impact publications and conferences.

Description of workplace

The Department of Chemistry belongs to both the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering (LTH) at Lund University. The Department of Chemistry has a unique strength for Sweden with education in all areas of chemistry and research by internationally leading research groups which ranges from basic to applied research areas. The department also has the advanced instrumentation needed in modern molecular research. The Department of Chemistry has about 310 employees, of whom about 170 are post graduate students. The number of full-time students enrolled in undergraduate studies is almost 500.

At the Division of Computational Chemistry, we study statistical thermodynamics, suspension dynamics, and quantum chemistry. While we have a strong focus on fundamental research and model development, our methods have been applied on a diverse range of systems such as Life Siences, clay, cement, sea water, dental environments, wood fibers, sand, and dairy products! We also have a well-equipped experimental lab for preparing protein samples and conducting physical chemistry measurements.

Marie Skepö is a professor of Theoretical Chemistry, and an Excellent Teacher Practitioner at the Science Faculty, LU, Sweden. Her background is in surface- and colloid chemistry, and she has a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, from LU. Her primary research is directed into integrative structural biology, with focus on intrinsically disordered proteins and bio-molecular interactions: From bulk solution to surface interaction. The main techniques are atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations in combination with biophysical solution and surface adsorption techniques, as X-ray and neutron scattering. Skepö research group consists currently of three PhD students and two postdocs, whereas two PhD-students and one postdoc will start in 2025. On a yearly basis, Skepö supervises two-three master/summer project students as well. Skepö has supervised eight Ph.D. students to completion as main supervisor, and eight postdocs. For more information, please see https://www.teokem.lu.se/people/seniors/skepoe/#/.

Work duties

The title of the project is: Decipher sequence determinants for intrinsically disordered proteins and their interaction with lipid bilayers/vesicles and focus is to determine the role of amino acid motifs on the interaction of intrinsically disordered peptides with lipid membranes of increasing complexity. The project will utilize an integrative approach combining atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations with scattering experiements.

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.

The special entry requirements for computational chemistry are met by those who have: 

• At least 120 higher education credits must consist of chemistry courses of which at least
  30 credits of degree project at second-cycle level in the chosen specialization or closely related specializations.
• In some cases, the requirement for chemistry courses can be replaced by other subjects.
  For computational chemistry, 60 credits of physics and 60 credits of mathematics.
• The specific qualification may also have been obtained through other equivalent education, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.”

Additional requirements:

• 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.

2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.

3. Written and oral communication skills

4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Courses in physical chemistry, statistical thermodynamics, protein chemistry, biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, mathematics, and programming are an advantage.
• Knowledge about atomistic and coarse-grained modelling and molecular dynamics simulations is an advantage.
• Previous practical experience of X-ray/neutron/light scattering is an advantage.

Specific Eligibility Criteria of MSCA-DN Programme:

• Doctoral Candidates must not yet been awarded a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
• Doctoral Candidates must have not resided or carried out main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date.
• Doctoral Candidates must be able to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English. Specific rules might exist for each individual position.
• Note: Mobility rules apply to both physical residence and the institution where the activity was performed (e.g., remote studies).

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 §§.

Monthly salary: 32400 SEK

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.)