Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

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The Department of Chemistry is seeking a PhD-student in computational science with focus on chemistry. The position is for 4 years of research including courses on graduate level. Application deadline is 28 February 2020.

Project description
Food, wine and biopharma industries use in their production, from starting material to final product, multi-step chemical and biological processes, with each step being extensively complex. The difficulty to “control” the individual steps and accurately define the composition of the different raw materials and intermediate components explains partly why these processes are difficult to monitor and control. Linking what happens in the process from its starting materials up to the final product and finding clear causal relationships between most crucial factors is not an easy task, which can’t be achieved when studying each process step separately. The scientific challenge and opportunity therefore remains to study these chemical and biological processes as whole systems.

Understanding of these complex systems can be obtained by comprehensive (chemical, physical, phenotypic etc.) characterization of its steps, what creates huge amount of data. Improved multivariate algorithms, machine learning and visualization techniques are needed to enable handling of these large and complex datasets. During the project, the PhD student will develop methods that will enable modelling the combination of data sets from different platforms gathered at the same time for the same set of samples and combination of data sets from the same analytical platform but gathered at different time points. Together these results will characterize common (joint) and specific (unique) variations between these data sets, also linking to the design of experiments, for the future improvement of the production steps. The work includes development of innovative design of experiment strategies, development of new advanced data analytics tools within MVA and deep learning methodologies and development of new methods and approaches for improved interpretation and visualization of the multivariate and deep learning models.

Qualifications
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 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 computational science and engineering, the applicant is required to have completed at least 90 ECTS credits in computational science and engineering courses, of which at least 30 ECTS credits shall have been acquired at second-cycle level. Computational science and engineering courses refers to courses with major quantitative, statistical or computing science elements, such as courses in computing science, mathematics and mathematical statistics, and relevant courses in biology, ecology, physics and chemistry. Applicants who in some other system either within Sweden or abroad have acquired largely equivalent skills are also eligible.

Good knowledge in English, both written and spoken, is required. The candidate must be structured, have a solution-oriented approach and an interest to learn new things, especially in Advanced Data Analytics. Very good communication skills and ability to work in a team are also requirements.

Experience with data science tools including scripting, mainly in Python is meritorious as well as experience in Design-of-Experiments and data analytics.

Terms of employment
The appointment aims at a PhD degree and the main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies, which includes participation in research projects as well as postgraduate courses. In the assignments, teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20%) can be included. The employment is limited to four years full-time or up to five years when part-time teaching. The salary placement takes place according to the established salary level for doctoral employment.

Application
A complete application should contain the following documents:

  • A cover letter including a description of your research interests and motivation for applying
  • A Curriculum Vitae
  • Certified copies of degree certificates or equivalent, including documentation of completed
  • academic courses and obtained grades
  • Name and contact information of at least two reference persons

Applications must be submitted via our e-recruitment system. The last day to apply is 28 February 2020.

For more information please contact Professor Johan Trygg, johan.trygg@umu.se.

About us
The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 employees, of which approximately 40 doctoral students, and a strong and expanding research. The Department has three major research areas: Biological Chemistry, Environmental and Biogeochemistry, and Technical Chemistry. We are also a strong partner in the KBC, Chemical-Biological Center. Information about the postgraduate education can be found on the Faculty of Science and Technology website: www.umu.se/en/faculty-of-science-and-technology/education/doctoral-studies/chemistry/. For more information about working at Umeå University, https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment By agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-64-20
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-786 53 65
  • SEKO, 090-786 52 96
  • ST, 090-786 54 31
Published 16.Jan.2020
Last application date 28.Feb.2020 11:59 PM CET

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