PhD position in Chemistry, with a specialization in Biophysical Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry is opening a PhD position in Chemistry with a specialization in Biophysical Chemistry. The thesis project will focus on regulation of calcium signalling processes with applications in drug development directed towards heart failure and antimicrobial resistance. The position is for four years of doctoral studies, including participation in research and postgraduate courses. The last day to apply is 2025-05-15. Starting date is 2025-10-01 or by agreement.

Project description and tasks

As a PhD student, you will be part of a research team that combines experimental and computational methods to understand membrane protein transport and signalling processes. The focus is to develop novel structural biology techniques with the aim to understand membrane protein transport and regulation with applications in heart disease and antimicrobial resistance. The group has pioneered synchrotron-based time-resolved X-ray solution scattering of ATP-dependent protein reactions with significant contributions to the field both with respect to experimental design and high-performance computing protocols for data analysis, visualization, and interpretation. We also use and develop new cryo-electron microscopy techniques. The PhD student will be trained in a highly international environment with active collaborations with e.g. University of Michigan, and visits to synchrotron facilities in Sweden and France. For more information, visit the research group website: https://www.biostruct.umu.se/principal-investigators/magnus-andersson/

Qualifications

To be admitted for studies at third-cycle level 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 another subject considered to be directly relevant to 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 or an equivalent subject.

Additional required qualifications are:

Good knowledge of the English language, both written and spoken, is required as well as a great interest within the field of biophysics, biochemistry and/or structural biology.

Merits are:

Experience from protein production and purification and/or Python code development.

Consideration will also be given to collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing doctoral studies.

About the employment

The position is intended to result in a doctoral degree. The main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies, including participation in research and doctoral courses. The duties can include teaching and other departmental work (up to 20%). The employment is limited to the equivalent of four years of full-time (48 months) or up to five years for teaching part-time. Salary is set in accordance with the established salary levels for PhD positions. The employment starts 2025-10-01 or according to agreement.

As employees at Umeå University PhD students are granted social benefits such as parental leave, holiday leave, and occupational health services. Read more about the benefits of being an employee at Umeå University here: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/benefits/. 

Application

You apply via our e-recruitment system Varbi. Log in and apply via the button at the bottom of the page. The deadline for applications is 2025-05-15.

The application, written in English or Swedish, should include:

• a personal letter with a brief description of why you are applying for the position, and how your qualifications and research interests are relevant to the doctoral project described above (no more than 2 pages),
• a curriculum vitae (CV)
• copies of degree certificates, diplomas or equivalent, including documentation of completed academic courses, grades obtained, and other certificates of relevance to the described project,
• copies of student theses on advance level or other publications (no more than 5)
• contact information for at least two reference persons.

The application documents must be in MS Word or PDF.

Further information

Further information is provided by Associate Professor, Magnus Andersson, email: magnus.p.andersson@umu.se.

Welcome with your application!

About us

The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 employees and strong and expanding research. The Department has four major research areas: Biological Chemistry, IBEAM, Organic chemistry 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/.