PhD student in Biochemistry

The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. SciLifeLab (SciLifeLab) is a national center for molecular biosciences with focus on health and environmental research. The center combines frontline technical expertise with advanced knowledge of translational medicine and molecular bioscience. SciLifeLab is a national resource hosted by Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University and Uppsala University. The center also collaborates with several other universities.

The employment will be placed at the Department of biochemistry and biophysics, at Stockholm university. More information about us, please visit: www.dbb.su.se.

Project description

Your studies in Biochemistry will be in the project: "Structural and functional studies of biomedical relevant protein complexes using cryo-EM".

The project aims to use cryo-EM in different technical variants as a method to address questions about the molecular mechanism behind certain autoimmune and other diseases.

The PhD student will learn to purify antibodies and fab fragments from patient or animal model sera, will clone, express and purify antigen proteins using bacterial and eukaryotic systems, prepare specimens for cryo-EM, operate the electron microscope in different modalities and determine and analyse structures of molecular complexes. Additionally, the student will also learn bioinformatic tools for protein complex structure prediction and design. The PhD student will work also in close collaboration with national and international immunology and medical groups. The PhD student will be able to develop and test research hypothesis about structure and function of protein complexes involved in diseases and their treatment at the molecular level. The technical and theoretical knowledge that the student will acquire will be useful for future work possibilities in both the research and biotechnological/industry work environments.

The PhD student will work closely with two senior postdocs and two PhD student as well as with members of the Cryo-EM Facility at SciLifeLab (Stockholm, Sweden). The student will have access to two Titan Krios (equipped with Gatan Bioquantum-K3 cameras and CetaD for electron diffraction), one Talos Arctica (Falcon 3 and K2) and computational resources. SciLifeLab offers access to a number of other facilities such as super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, compound screening, NMR and structural mass spectrometry offering numerous possibilities to learn, explore cutting edge techniques, and to collaborate with different experts.

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, for acceptance in the Biochemistry program the applicant must have passed courses within the first and second cycles of at least 120 credits in Biochemistry/Life Science, including at least 15 credits Biochemistry at the second cycle level and a Degree Project (thesis) also in Biochemistry of 30 credits.

Selection

The selection among 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.

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 Marta Carroni, marta.carroni@dbb.su.se..

General information about the PhD programs can be given by the 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.