Doctoral student in Medical Science -

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Doctoral position in Medical Science

Project title: Cotranslational quality control of mitochondrially encoded proteins

The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell biology is located at the Institute of Biomedicine at the Faculty of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. 

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages: https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/doktorand/?languageId=100001&skipSSOCheck=true     

The PhD education in Medical Science comprises carrying out a scientific project and completing at least 30 credits of courses at third-cycle level. The doctoral student must also write a scientific compilation thesis or monograph corresponding to at least 120 credits. For more information about third-cycle studies at Sahlgrenska Academy, see https://www.gu.se/en/sahlgrenska-akademin/doctoral-studies

Project: Mitochondria convert chemical energy into ATP by utilizing a system of molecular machines, the respiratory chain complexes. The complexes driving oxidative phosphorylation are a mosaic of proteins encoded by the nuclear and the mitochondrial DNA. Therefore, assembly of the respiratory chain and the ATPase requires not only expression and import of many nuclear encoded proteins but also translation of mitochondrially encoded proteins. The mitochondrial genetic system is responsible for replication and transcription of the mitochondrial genome and for the synthesis of a few polypeptides within the organelle. Dysfunction of these processes underlies many human disorders and aging. It is therefore surprising that so little is known about mitochondrial protein synthesis. The main goal of this project is to unravel how protein synthesis by mitochondrial ribosomes is connected to quality control and proteolysis. Specifically, we will identify how auxiliary factors interact with the mitochondrial ribosome to mediate co-translational protein quality control. Because the respiratory chain is crucial for cellular energy metabolism, defects of mitochondrial gene expression result in severe human diseases. Hence, the information emerging from this study will be relevant for basic as well as for medical sciences. We will employ a combination of protein biochemistry, genetics and high-resolution single particle cryo-electron microscopy to reveal basic molecular mechanisms. For more information see our homepage: www.martinottlab.com

We are looking for you, who is genuinely interested in basic molecular mechanisms. You should have experience of protein analyzes and / or good knowledge in molecular biology or biochemistry. We value personal integrity as well as interest and commitment to development. You should have a good ability to express yourself in English in both speech and writing, as the projects are run in an international environment. You should also be able to work both independently and in a group.  

Education at third-cycle level comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.  As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.    

Education at third-cycle level requires general eligibility and specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for education at third-cycle level are:
1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.
Specific entry requirements for this subject, according to the general syllabus, are:
having completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies. 

The selection of applicants who are considered to have the ability required to benefit from the study programme and who meet the general and specific eligibility requirements are assessed based on the following documented qualifications:
- specific knowledge and skills within the subject area and related research fields
- experience of scientific theory and relevant research methodology
- scientific analysis and presentation verified through thesis, degree project, scientific journals or the like.    

Once you have been admitted for education at third-cycle level, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg. The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100. Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time. A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at third-cycle level for four years.   

Location: Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell biology. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: as agreed.

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.  

For more information about the project please contact the principal supervisor,
Martin Ott, Professor, Institute of Biomedicine,
phone: +46-0722612871, e-mail: [email protected]   

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: 
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande      

You can apply to be admitted for education at third-cycle level via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.   

You must include the following, in pdf format

• Personal letter
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
• Proof of completion of English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies

If your degree is from a university outside of Sweden, make sure that you attach a diploma and full transcripts that makes assessing your degree easier.  

If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

For information on what you need to submit in order to fulfill the English language requirement see https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

 Applications must be received by:  2022-05-24

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/  

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.