PhD Student in Biochemistry at Lund University

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. There are approximately 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of humanity.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all parts of our activities.

Job Responsibilities

The project involves experimental studies of chaperone proteins' self-association as well as chaperone-client interactions and co-aggregation with amyloid-forming proteins.

The aim is to characterize and understand the relevant protein-protein interactions and the origin of clients' increased solubility at the molecular level. The studies will involve various chaperones and amyloid-forming proteins. The experimental studies will typically include the use of several state-of-the-art techniques. Relevant experimental methods available include optical and NMR spectroscopy, calorimetry, neutron, X-ray, and light scattering techniques, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance and other surface techniques, optical and electron microscopy, and microfluidics for measuring diffusion. The PhD student will conduct planning, method development, experimental work, and data analysis. Detailed focus on the doctoral studies, including the choice of experimental techniques and approaches, will be determined in collaboration with the supervisors.

The main task for a PhD student is to engage in their doctoral education, which includes participation in research projects as well as doctoral education courses. The tasks also include participation in teaching and other departmental work, but no more than 20% of the working time.

Qualifications

Eligibility Requirements

Basic eligibility for doctoral education is met by those who have:

• completed a degree at the advanced level or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level, with content relevant to the doctoral education or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, within or outside the country.

Specific eligibility for Biochemistry is met by those who have:

At least 120 higher education credits must consist of chemistry courses, of which at least 30 higher education credits must be a thesis at the advanced level within the chosen field or closely related fields. The specific eligibility can also have been obtained through other equivalent education, which is assessed in each individual case.

Other requirements:

To benefit from the current doctoral education, the following is also required:

• Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.
• Good ability for written and oral communication.
• Good knowledge and skills relevant to the dissertation work and tasks. This includes theoretical knowledge in physical chemistry, biochemistry, and biophysical chemistry, practical experience in the purification of amyloid proteins and chaperones, as well as practical experience in studies of amyloid proteins' and chaperones' self- and co-aggregation.
• Other experiences relevant to doctoral education, e.g., work experience.
• Good ability for independent work and the ability to formulate and tackle scientific problems.

Meritorious

The following is meritorious for the current doctoral education:

• Documented experience of scientific experimental studies of self- and co-association processes in lipid, peptide, and/or protein systems, as well as imaging of liquid-liquid phase separation is a significant advantage, as well as both practical experience and theoretical knowledge of one or more of the aforementioned experimental methods.

Consideration will also be given to good collaboration skills, drive, and independence, as well as how the applicant is assessed to have the ability needed to complete the doctoral education based on their experience and competence.

We Offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means you receive special benefits, generous vacation, and a favorable occupational pension.

More about working at Lund University at lu.se (https://www.lu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss).

About the Employment

The position is a fixed-term full-time employment, starting 2026-02-01 or by agreement. The doctoral education is four years for full-time studies. If teaching and other departmental work is involved, the employment will be extended accordingly. Regulations regarding employment as a PhD student can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.

More about employment conditions for doctoral students on Lund University's employee web here (https://www.medarbetarwebben.lu.se/forska-och-utbilda/stod-till-forskning/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/anstallningsvillkor-doktorander).

How to Apply

The application must be written in English and must include:

• CV and a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the educational position/employment and how the research project matches your interests and educational background.
• Copies of issued transcripts and/or degree certificates. These must confirm your basic and specific eligibility for the doctoral education subject and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral research project.
• Other documents you wish to submit (copies of grades, references, recommendation letters, etc.).

Welcome with your application!

At the Faculty of Science, research and education are conducted in biology, astronomy, physics, geoscience, chemistry, mathematics, and environmental science. The activities are conducted at eight departments located within the northern university area. The faculty has about 1,500 students, 360 doctoral students, and 700 employees.

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