PhD Position in Chemistry with a Focus on Biochemistry

The Department of Chemistry is announcing a PhD position in chemistry with a focus on biochemistry.

The PhD project will focus on mechanisms of drug resistance in microbiome species and is part of the European MSCA Doctoral Network (https://endamr.eu/ (https://endamr.eu/)). The position includes four years of doctoral education, including research and participation in doctoral courses.

The application deadline is May 31, 2025, and the planned start date is October 1, 2025, or by agreement.

Project Description and Responsibilities

The human gut microbiome consists of species that are poorly characterized at the molecular level, despite their crucial role in maintaining health. The presence of pathogenic species or imbalances in the composition of commensal species is linked to disease. The PhD project aims to increase the understanding of drug resistance mechanisms in these species, to enable a rational use of drugs to modulate the gut microbial community.

You will use molecular biological and biochemical methods to investigate drug resistance mechanisms in representative groups of species from the gut microbiome. Your tasks will include genetic manipulation, large-scale cultivation experiments, and biochemical analyses to study the structure and function of proteins (e.g., X-ray crystallography, NMR, cryo-electron microscopy). You will receive training in advanced cultivation techniques for anaerobic bacteria and develop skills in analyzing large datasets.

At Umeå University, you will be part of a dynamic research environment at the Department of Chemistry and the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). You will have access to advanced research infrastructures, including NMR, metabolomics, protein expression, and cryo-electron microscopy. In addition to research, participation in doctoral courses is also included.

As a PhD student, you will be part of a European doctoral network with nine research groups (https://endamr.eu/ (https://endamr.eu/)). This entails annual network meetings and specific training initiatives within the subject area. The doctoral education also includes a research stay at one of the network's partner laboratories.

Eligibility and Qualifications

To be admitted to doctoral education, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Have a master's degree,
• Have completed at least 240 higher education credits (hp), of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level,
• Have a corresponding foreign education or acquired equivalent knowledge in another way.

For specific eligibility for doctoral education in chemistry, you must have completed courses totaling at least 90 hp in chemistry or another subject relevant to the specialization. Of these 90 hp, at least 15 hp must be at the advanced level within the specialization or a corresponding subject.

To be granted MSCA funding, you must not have resided in Sweden for studies or work for more than 12 months during the last 3 years at the time of application. You must also be within 4 years of your master's degree (equivalent full-time research experience) and not have defended a thesis in any other field.

Additional Requirements:

• Basic laboratory experience.
• Knowledge in biochemistry or related fields.
• Good oral and written English.

Meritorious:

• Practical experience in biochemical and molecular biological methods (e.g., bacterial culture, cloning).
• Experience in protein structure and function determination (e.g., NMR, X-ray crystallography, cryoEM) and/or analytical chemistry (e.g., mass spectrometry).
• Programming skills (e.g., R or Python).
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate within the research group.
• Good oral and written communication skills to present research results.
• Commitment and motivation to complete a four-year doctoral education.

Employment Conditions

The position aims to result in a doctoral degree. As a PhD student, you will primarily conduct research studies, including research and doctoral courses. The position may also include teaching and departmental duties (up to 20% of the full-time position).

The total employment period corresponds to four years of full-time studies (48 months) but can be extended to five years with 20% teaching. Start date is October 1 or by agreement, but no later than December 31, 2025. The physical workplace will be Umeå, Sweden.

As an employee at Umeå University, you will be covered by social benefits, including parental leave, vacation, and occupational health care. Read more about employment benefits here: https://www.umu.se/jobba-hos-oss/formaner/ (https://www.umu.se/jobba-hos-oss/formaner/).

Salary is determined according to the established salary scale for PhD positions at Umeå University, but not lower than the granted funds from MSCA.

Application

Applications are made through our e-recruitment system (Varbi). Click on "Apply" at the bottom of the page.

Application deadline: May 31, 2025.

The application, written in English or Swedish, should include:

• A personal letter structured to begin with a brief description of why you are applying for the position, followed by your educational background and what experience you have (for example, techniques you have experience with), as well as how your qualifications and research interests are relevant to the above-described PhD project. (Max 1 page and written without the use of AI.)
• CV.
• Copies of degree certificates, transcripts, and other relevant documentation.
• Copies of thesis work or publications (max. 5 documents).
• Contact information for at least two referees.

Contact and Further Information

For questions about the position, please contact Dr. André Mateus (andre.mateus@umu.se (mailto:andre.mateus@umu.se)) or visit:

Research group website: https://mateuslab.com/ (https://mateuslab.com/)
Network website: https://endamr.eu/ (https://endamr.eu/)

Welcome with your application!

About Us

The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Science and Technology, with approximately 200 employees and a rapidly growing research activity. The department conducts research in four main areas: Biological Chemistry, IBEAM, Organic Chemistry, and Technical Chemistry. We are also a central part of the Chemical-Biological Center (KBC).

More information about doctoral education: www.umu.se/fakulteten-for-naturvetenskap-och-teknik/utbildning/forskarutbildning/kemi/ (http://www.umu.se/fakulteten-for-naturvetenskap-och-teknik/utbildning/forskarutbildning/kemi/)

More information about working at Umeå University: https://www.umu.se/jobba-hos-oss/ (https://www.umu.se/jobba-hos-oss/)