PhD student in Biophysics

The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics is mainly located with the other Departments of Chemistry and Life Sciences in the Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, which are situated in the northern part of the University Campus at Frescati. Some 270 people of which about 60 are PhD students work at the Department, engaged in internationally highly recognized research covering a broad range of subjects kortfattad institutionsinformation relevant för utlysningen.
More information about us, please visit: The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

Project description

Multiscale simulations of complex biological systems

The thesis work will be conducted within the framework of this project, we search for PhD candidates for mechanistic studies of proteins catalyzing biological energy conversion, in particular enzymes responsible for cellular respiratory and/or photosynthesis. The project is focused on how membrane-bound enzymes capture chemical or light energy, and catalyze proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) and charge transfer (CT) reactions across biological membranes. The project will address the structure, function, and dynamics of these remarkable proteins by multiscale molecular simulations (QM/MM and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, free energy methods, and machine learning) that are tightly linked with biochemical, biophysical and structural experiments (mutagenesis, spectroscopy, proteoliposome experiments, cryoEM). The PhD candidate will closely work with other PhD students, postdocs and senior scientists of the lab in an interdisciplinary team as well as in large collaborative projects. Several projects related to bioenergetics and protein function are possible depending on background and interests of the applicant.

Recent publications from PhD projects, related to the current project:

A. Beghiah A et al. (2024) Nature Comms 15, 9098.
F. Allgöwer (2024) PNAS 121(52), e2413396121.
D. Riepl et al. (2024) Nature Comms 15(1), 5276.
M. Pöverlein et al. (2024) JCTC 13, 5751.
H. Kim et al. (2023) JACS 145(31), 17075.

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific entry requirements, In order to meet the specific entry requirements, the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of Biophysics program, the applicant must have passed courses within the first and second cycles of at least 120 credits in Physics or Chemistry and at the second level, courses of at least 60 credits Biophysics, Biochemistry or Physical Chemistry including a 30 credit Degree Project (thesis).

Selection

The selection amongst the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to successfully complete the program. Important criteria when assessing this capacity are; documented knowledge and skill in the field of the thesis project, written and oral proficiency in English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence. The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, the quality of the degree project, references, relevant experience, interviews and the candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position. We seek a highly motivated PhD candidate, with ambitions to develop into a future field leader. The candidate should have prior training in molecular biophysics and computational methods applied to biological systems.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information please contact project leader, Professor Ville Kaila, ville.kaila@dbb.su.se.

General information about the PhD programs can be given by the Professor and Director of Doctoral Studies, Andreas Barth, andreas.barth@dbb.su.se.

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.