PhD student in Biochemistry

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 recognised research covering a broad range of subjects. More information about us, please visit: the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

Project description

Your studies in Biochemistry will be in the project "Protein translation, folding and the deeper layers of the genetic code".

A significant amount of information can be stored in DNA. For example, a gene stores information about the amino acid sequence that needs to be translated, as well as how that amino acid sequence should be translated (the translational rhythm) so that it folds into a functional protein. The genetic code explains which amino acid sequence is encoded, but it doesn’t yet explain how the amino acid sequence should be translated or folded. The latter is considered to be in a deeper layer of information that we don’t yet understand. Our goal in this PhD project is to gain insight into this deeper layer by probing the relationship between synonymous codon use, translational rhythm and protein folding across the proteome of the model bacterium, Escherichia coli. We will do this by engineering DNA sequences, then monitoring the translation and folding of the encoded proteins in vivo with biosensors. The experiments will address fundamental questions about the existence of a deeper layer of information, its information content, and the location of the information in the DNA sequence. The project will provide fundamental insight into the genetic code, which can be leveraged to understand how genetic mutations result in protein misfolding diseases. It can also be leveraged to design synthetic genes that work effectively when bioengineering.

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 time the applicant is admitted to the PhD program at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

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 Professor Daniel Daley, daniel.daley@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.