PhD position in Chemistry, with a specialization in organic chemistry

The Department of Chemistry is opening a PhD position in Chemistry with a specialization in Organic Chemistry. The thesis project will focus on new medical countermeasures for neurotoxicity caused by nerve agents and pesticides. The position is for four years of doctoral studies, including participation in research and postgraduate courses. The last day to apply is 15 Janjuary 2024.Starting date is  5th February 2024 or by agreement.

The focus of the PhD project is the design and synthesis of new organic molecules that contribute to the long-term goal of developing improved drug candidates (medical countermeasures) and new concepts for treatment of intoxications caused by chemical warfare and pesticides. The research will build on existing molecules developed in our group that have been shown to have promising properties. The new antidotes will differ from existing drugs in two important aspects; they should be active in the central nervous system and they should be effective regardless of which nerve agent that caused the intoxication. Medical antidotes of today act peripherally and their efficacy depend on highly on which chemical that inhibited acetylcholinesterase. This project will be carried out within a research group that uses multidisciplinary approaches to address medicinal chemistry research questions.

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:

Very good command of the English language, both written and spoken.

The applicant must have competence of organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry, as well as training and/or experience in organic synthesis.

Merits are: Experience of biochemical evaluation, X-ray crystallography and computational chemistry.

In order to benefit from a PhD in chemistry and succeed with the project, you need to have a strong interest in organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry and be prepared to take on scientific and technical challenges. Other key personal qualities are creativity, good collaborative skills, initiative and a high degree of independence.

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 5th February 2024 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/ . 

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 15th January 2024.

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,
• 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.

Further information is provided by professor Anna Linusson, e-mail: [email protected] , phone: +46(0)90-7866890.

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/ . For more information about working at Umeå University, https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/ .