PhD-position in Medicinal Chemistry at Umeå University - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

New chemistry for efficient and safe insecticidal molecules targeting disease-transmitting mosquitoes

The focus of the PhD project is the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of organic molecules with insecticidal activity aiming for efficient prevention of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue. Given the onset of insecticide-resistant mosquitoes, new insectides are imperative to successful vector control in public health initiatives in the future. The application deadline is 2018-06-25.

Description
The objective is to develop biologically active organic molecules that can be used as chemical tools to facilitate the discovery of new insecticidal candidates aimed for vector control products to protect against mosquito-borne diseases. The research question of the PhD project is: Is it possible to develop molecules that inhibit the function of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of mosquitoes and thus efficiently prevent transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, and at the same time be safe for human and other animals? The project will also contribute to fundamental knowledge of how the cholinergic signaling work in insects. The PhD candidate will design and synthesize molecules that inhibit the function of mosquito AChE. The focus will be two-fold, first to explore and elucidate the possibility to develop molecules that selectively inhibit mosquito AChE versus AChE of other species, and secondly to optimize pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties of inhibitors, e.g., increased in vitro potency and penetration through exoskeleton of mosquitoes. The PhD candidate will work closely together with computational chemists, and have the opportunity to conduct/participate in both in vitro evaluations as well as mosquito studies. Most of our mosquito experiments are performed in close collaboration with researchers at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in Nairobi. The PhD student will be employed at the Department of Chemistry, Umeå University.

Admission requirements
You are required to have completed a second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS 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 chemistry, you are required to have completed first-cycle courses of at least 90 ECTS credits within the field of chemistry, or in a subject considered to be directly relevant for the specialization in question. Of those 90 ECTS credits, at least 15 ECTS credits shall have been acquired at second-cycle level within the specialization in question, or an equivalent subject.

This project will be carried out within a research group that uses multidisciplinary approaches to address medicinal chemistry research questions. You should have a genuine interest in organic- and medicinal chemistry and be prepared to take on scientific and technical challenges. Very good command of the English language, both written and spoken, is required. The applicant must have competence of organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry, as well as training and/or experience in organic synthesis. Experiences of protein expression, biochemical and biological evaluations, X-ray crystallography and computational chemistry are merits. You should be creative, with good interpersonal and collaborative skills, power of initiative, and a high degree of independence.

About the position
The position is intended to result in a doctoral degree and the main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies which include both participation in research and postgraduate courses. Teaching and other departmental work can be assigned (up to a maximum of 20%). The employment is limited to four years full-time, or up to five years when including other duties part time. Salary is set in accordance with the established salary ladder for PhD position.

Application
A complete application should contain the following documents:

• A cover letter including a description of your research interests, your reasons to apply for the position, and your contact information
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of BSc and/or MSc theses and, if applicable, research publications
• Copies of degree certificates, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades
• Electronic copy of BSc and/or MSc thesis
• Contact information of at least two reference persons

The application can be written in Swedish or English. Applications must be submitted via our recruiting system. The last day to apply is 2018-06-25. For more information please contact Prof. Anna Linusson, phone: 090-7866890, email: anna.linusson@umu.se

About us
Information about the Department of Chemistry, see: www.chemstry.umu.se/english Information about the postgraduate education can be found on the Faculty of Science and Technology website: http://www.teknat.umu.se/english/doctoral-studies/. For more information about working at Umeå University, see: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/