PhD studentship in medical biochemistry - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Umeå University is recruiting a PhD student for mechanistic and structural studies of RNA virus replication.

PhD project
The Carlson lab studies how viruses reshape the cells they infect. Our main interest is the drastic rearrangements of host-cell membranes that positive-sense RNA viruses carry out within hours of entering a cell. Such viruses induce the formation of organelles called replication complexes, which serve to copy the viral RNA genome. Hidden inside infected cells and associated with cellular membranes, replication complexes are the most mysterious manifestation of this vast group of viruses that cause diseases ranging from common cold, to hepatitis C and mosquito-borne tropical fevers.

We aim to recruit a PhD student to study the structure and function of viral replication complexes. The student will use cell biology methods to isolate active replication complexes from infected cells. Their function will be studies using biochemical methods. High-end cryo-electron tomography will be used to determine their three-dimensional structure. The studies will be complemented by structural studies on purified proteins using cryo-EM as well as measurements of replication fidelity in living cells using RNA sequencing. Ample access to all the necessary infrastructure exists in Umeå, such as the cryo-EM suite at the Umeå Core Facility for Electron Microscopy, cell culture facilities at biosafety level 2 and all necessary biochemistry instrumentation. In addition to cell biology, biochemistry and structural studies, advanced image processing will be an important part of the proposed project.

Admission requirements
To be admitted for studies at third-cycle level the applicant is required to have completed a second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level, or have an equivalent education from abroad or equivalent qualifications.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements to be admitted for studies at third-cycle level in medical biochemistry or medical biophysics, the applicant is required to have completed a second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level, in chemistry, biomedicine, molecular biology or equivalent.

Qualifications
The applicant must have completed relevant university studies of at least 240 credits with a major in a subject such as biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology or biology. Very good communication skills in English are required, both orally and in writing. The applicant is expected to be an independent worker, but also to be able to work in a group. Aptitude for critical and creative thinking is required. The research will entail both experimental and computational work. Therefore, experience in experimental molecular biology and cell biology is a merit, as is a solid understanding of physics and structural biology, and experience in computational work including programming.

About the position
The position is intended to result in a doctoral degree and the main task of the PhD students is to pursue their doctoral studies, which includes participation in research, the department seminar series, and courses. The duties within this position may also include teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20% of full working time). The employment is time-limited to four years of full-time work, with extension to compensate for part time teaching and other duties. Salary is set in accordance with the established salary ladder for PhD positions. Starting date according to agreement, as soon as possible.

The application
A complete application package should contain the following documents:

1. An application letter, stating your contact information and describing why you are interested in the advertised project.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. A copy of your completed BSc and/or MSc thesis and, if applicable, other research publications.
4. Verified copies of degree certificates, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades.
5. Contact information to at least two reference persons who can testify on your skills.

Your application should be written in English or Swedish and prepared as a package in PDF format, to be submitted via our e-recruitment system (link below) on 30 April 2018 at the latest. Top ranked candidates will be contacted within two weeks from the closing date for an interview.

For more information, contact Dr. Lars-Anders Carlson at lars-anders.carlson@umu.se