Doctoral student in Biochemistry (PA2022/1341)

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The activities of  proteins in our cells are orchestrated to a large extent by chemical modifications catalyzed by specific signaling enzymes. A modification called ADP-ribosylation is catalyzed by 17 human PARP enzymes; pathogenic bacteria express toxins that catalyze the same modification of human proteins to shortwire crucial processes in their host cells. Both PARP enzymes and toxins are interesting from a pharmacological point of view. Despite rapid progress during the past decade, it is yet unclear how the ADP-ribosylating enzymes and toxins are regulated.

The overall goal of this graduate student project is to identify structure-function-relationships in ADP-ribosylating enzymes and toxins. These proteins have a multidomain structure and both accessory domains and other binding partners regulate the activities and specificities of the catalytic domains. Molecular cloning of multiple constructs and recombinant protein production will be central in producing catalytic domains in various domain and binding partner context. These proteins and protein complexes will then be analyzed with relevant biochemical, biophysical, and structural techniques in order to elucidate the details of their regulation.

The project will built to a large extent on own laboratory work, with elements of computational data evaluation. Part of the work will be done in close collaboration with other scientists, both in our own laboratory and abroad. Data collection at research facilities outside of regular working hours may occur.

The project is suitable for candidates with a strong background in biochemistry and molecular biology with a focus on proteins. You will acquire deep understanding of the general methods in these areas, and will have the chance to develop skills in narrower subject areas of enzymology, drug development, biophysics and/or structural biology.

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in biochemistryif he or she (i) has completed independent laboratory work (such as a thesis project) of at least 30 ECTS in biochemistry or a related subject; and (ii) has good proficiency in both spoken and written English.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study. An assessment of the ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. Written and oral communication skills Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Inter-personal qualities
• Independently acquired financial support during previous education
• International experience during previous education

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.). Furthermore, you must provide contact information for 3 references, whereof one must be a more experienced person (graduate student, postdoctoral scientist, TA) who can attest to your performance at the lab bench.

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

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