Vacant job

Project Description

Syrén's research group is recruiting a PhD student in protein design applied to terpenoid biosynthesis.

The project, funded by the EU (HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN), involves international research groups and exchanges with them (e.g., Jean Monnet University in France) and is at the forefront of biocatalysis and enzyme design. The successful candidate needs to be motivated to learn leading techniques from both of these disciplines and have an interest in synthetic biology.

With a growing population and a decrease in the available natural resources on our planet, there is a great need for innovative production methods based on green chemistry. The main purpose of this project is to develop nature-inspired protein-based catalysts for selective transformations applied to metabolites. The research area for the PhD student includes protein design, enzyme engineering, and synthetic biology to expand nature's current repertoire regarding selective terpenoid biosynthesis.

Doctoral Education Subject: Chemical Science

Supervision: Per-Olof Syrén is proposed to supervise the PhD student; the decision will be made upon admission.

We Offer

• The opportunity to pursue a PhD in a dynamic, international research environment in collaboration with industry and leading universities worldwide.
• A workplace with many employment benefits and a monthly salary according to KTH's agreement for doctoral salaries in line with MSCA regulations.
• Doctoral education at an institution that is active and supportive in issues such as working conditions, equality, diversity, and study environment.
• Work and studies in Stockholm with proximity to nature and the sea.

Eligibility for Admission

To be admitted to doctoral education (Chapter 7, Section 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility:

• completed a master's degree or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the master's level, or otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge, within or outside the country, in biocatalysis, biotechnology, biochemistry, or green chemistry, or equivalent.

Mobility Rule: At the time of recruitment, the candidate must not have been residing or conducting their main activities (work, studies, etc.) in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately preceding the recruitment date. Short stays such as vacations are not considered.

Doctorate: Applicants are not eligible if they have already obtained a doctorate.

You must be willing to spend a longer period at another institute/country in the network during the doctoral thesis period.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English corresponding to English B/6.

Selection

In-depth knowledge in molecular biology and protein design, analytical chemistry, and molecular modeling is advantageous. Experience in interdisciplinary scientific work at the interface between synthetic biology and biocatalysis is further beneficial.

To succeed in your doctoral studies at KTH, you need to be goal-oriented and persistent in your work. In the selection of applicants, the ability to:

• independently drive their work forward,
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach, and
• analyze and work with complex issues.

After the eligibility requirements, great importance will be placed on personal qualities.

Target Degree: Doctorate

Information on Admission and Employment

Only those who have been admitted to doctoral education may be employed as a PhD student. The total employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. An employed PhD student may, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within e.g., education and administration. A new employment as a PhD student is valid for a maximum of one year, and the employment may then be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. For studies that will conclude with a licentiate degree, the total employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union Representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

The Doctoral Student Section (Student Union of the Royal Institute of Technology)

Contact information for the Doctoral Student Section.

Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you have the main responsibility for ensuring that your application is complete when submitted.

The application must reach KTH no later than the last application day at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

The application should include the following content:

• CV with relevant professional experiences and skills.
• Cover letter with a brief account of why you want to pursue doctoral studies, your academic interests, and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals (Max 2 pages).
• Copies of degree certificates and transcripts from previous university studies and proof of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please attach a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other

The pursuit of equality, diversity, and equal opportunities is both a quality issue and an obvious part of KTH's values.

For information on the processing of personal data in connection with recruitment.

If the position is classified, a security clearance in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585) is required to be eligible. Information about the position being classified is provided during the recruitment process.

We kindly ask for no direct contact with staffing and recruitment agencies or advertisers of job postings.

About KTH

KTH is one of Europe's leading technical universities and an important arena for knowledge development. As Sweden's largest university for technical research and education, we gather students, researchers, and faculty from all over the world. Our research and education encompass both natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial economics, urban planning, history, and philosophy. Read more here (https://www.kth.se/om/om-kth-1.885102).