PhD student in Biochemistry (MSCA COFOUND project PRISMAS)

Organisation/Company

Stockholm University

Research Field

Chemistry » Biochemistry

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Sweden

Application Deadline

30 Oct 2023 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

FP7 / People-Marie Curie Actions COFUND

Reference Number

927--1-21351

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics . Closing date: 31 October 2023.

The Department is mainly located with the other Departments of Chemistry and Life Sciences in the Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, which are situated in the northern part of the University Campus at Frescati. Some 300 people of which about 70 are PhD students work at the Department.

PRISMAS - PhD Research and Innovation in Synchrotron Methods and Applications in Sweden – is a new doctoral network training the next generation of 40 leading synchrotron experts, co-funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND Programme.

As a PRISMAS PhD student, you will have the chance to conduct cutting-edge research in your field, taking advantage of state of the art tools that will bring to attractive future job opportunities in academia or industry. Moreover, you are part of designing the future of synchrotron technology and instrumentation and using these to tackle some of the most significant global challenges the world faces today while acquiring interdisciplinary and intersectoral knowledge. Being part of the PRISMAS programme gives you the one-of-a-kind experience in form of a secondment at the world´s first 4th generation synchrotron, MAX IV in Lund, Sweden.

Complemented with a tailored training programme, including courses to build scientific and technical competence as well as strengthen transferrable skills, PRISMAS provides you with the skills, knowledge and competence needed to successfully achieve your doctoral degree.

Project description
Your studies in Biochemistry will be in the project: "Structure-based fragment screening targeting Cancer".

Cancer cells have an increased demand for DNA synthesis and DNA repair compared to normal cells and are therefore highly reliant on enzymes involved in these processes. This can be exploited by developing inhibitors that stop the activity of these enzymes. We will use structure-based fragment screening to develop potent inhibitors that target these enzymes, which cancer cells depend on. In recent years, structure-based fragment screening has been established as a key method to identify low affinity binders that can be developed into promising lead compounds. Billions of compounds can now be rapidly synthesized at low cost by chemical suppliers. This dramatically increases the possibilities to quickly expand and modify initial fragment hits into potential drugs. We will develop novel inhibitors and aim to bring them all the way to clinical trials. To succeed with this in an academic setting, many groups with diverse expertise have to work together.

The MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS offers you outstanding opportunities as well as a stimulating and inspiring surrounding for performing cutting-edge research. Supporting your mobility, it creates perfect conditions for strengthening your international network.

The training implies a secondment of 3-12 months at MAX IV laboratory in Lund, Sweden. Additional secondments and/or short stays may be arranged in agreement with the supervisor of the research project. Moreover, you will attend international conferences, participate in periodical project meetings and training schools as well as in specialised courses at different universities to complement your knowledge.  A certain amount of travelling is foreseen in relation to these activities. 

Qualification requirements
To comply with the mobility rule of the MSCA COFUND programme, you are eligible if you have not resided in Sweden for more than 12 months during the period 2020-10-30 to 2023-10-31 for work or studies as main occupation. 

By the employment date (before 1 March 2024) you must have completed a second-cycle degree and completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

You cannot already have a doctoral degree.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements, for acceptance in the Biochemistry program the applicant must have passed courses within the first and second cycles of at least 120 credits in Biochemistry/Life Science, including at least 15 credits Biochemistry at the second cycle level and a Degree Project (thesis) also in Biochemistry of 30 credits.

Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to successfully complete the program. Important criteria when assessing this capacity are; documented knowledge and skill in the field of the thesis project, written and oral proficiency in English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence. The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, references, relevant experience, interviews and the candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position.

Previous experience in structural biology, molecular biology, enzymology and biophysical methods, specifically X-ray crystallography and Cryo-EM is an advantage. 

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.su.se/rules and regulations .

Terms of employment
Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.

The employment is for four years, extent 100% (full-time) and foreseen to start on 1 March 2024.

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

The initial employment as a PhD student may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.

Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
For more information, please contact Professor Pål Stenmark, pal.stenmark@dbb.su.se .

For questions on the selection process, please contact: prismas@maxiv.lu.se .

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se , Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se , seko@seko.su.se  (SEKO), and PhD student representative, doktorandombud@sus.su.se .

Application
Attention! Applications are to be submitted via the Stockholm University's recruitment system. You can find the full advertisement at Stockholm University web page for available PhD-student positions. .

The application will be evaluated based on scientific excellence, the adequacy of your career plan and your thesis project as well as your research experience. Details on the novel, unique and common selection process for all the PRISMAS positions can be found here: How to apply – MAX IV (lu.se)

The general instructions for applicants to Stockholm University are available at: How to apply for a position .

You are welcome to apply! 

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Chemistry » Biochemistry

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Stockholm University

Country

Sweden

City

Stockholm

Postal Code

10691

Street

Universitetsvägen 10A

Website

https://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/work-at-su/available-jobs?rmpage…

City

Stockholm

Street

Universitetsvägen 10A

Postal Code

10691