PhD students, Chemistry

The Department of Molecular Sciences at SLU conducts research and education in chemistry, biochemistry, food science and microbiology. The department is located at the Biocenter in Ultuna, where approximately 110 employees have access to a high-quality research infrastructure for, among other things, microscopy, X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

In metabolomics, techniques such as NMR and MS are used to analyze small molecules (metabolites) in many complex samples from biological material. Metabolite concentrations are affected by both genetic and environmental factors, and can therefore be used to determine the origin of organisms or how they are affected by their habitat. Widely different applications can be found in areas e.g., fundamental biochemical research, food control and areas that investigate the connection between food and health. Efficient methods are necessary for large-scale analysis, which is a prerequisite for high-quality metabolomics studies. Designing automated methods and workflows is therefore a natural step in the development work in metabolomics.

We are seeking two PhD students in chemistry, with a focus on method development in metabolomics, for the Organic Chemistry research group at the Department of Molecular Sciences. The group has solid experience in sample processing and analysis work, as well as access to its own high-class and modern equipment for both MS and NMR. SLU:s platform for NMR metabolomics is part of the national network SwedNMR (www.swednmr.se ). In recent years, the research group has developed effective methodology for the analysis of NMR data, but there is a great need for further development to enable quantitative studies of increasingly complex samples where existing methods have not been sufficiently tested or provide insufficient results. The aim of the two projects is to evaluate existing methods for the identification and quantification of metabolites and to develop and test new efficient methods and workflows based on MS and NMR data respectively.

Tasks: The two projects will be developed step wise based on data from simulations, laboratory prepared mixtures and processed samples from e.g., plants, dairy products, or blood plasma. The work will include the use of generated data for developing and testing automated methods for the identification (MS) and quantification (NMR) of metabolites and reporting the results in scientific journals. The two projects will be run in close collaboration with other researchers and doctoral students. Up to 20% non-research work (for example in the form of teaching) may be included.

Qualifications: The applicant should have a university degree such as a master's degree in a relevant field (chemistry, engineering, bioinformatics, biotechnology, computer science or similar). Experience of laboratory work is central. Knowledge of metabolomics and the techniques NMR and MS are meritorious, as well as practical experience of a programming language suitable for the analysis of data. Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualifications such as analytical ability, sense of responsibility and the ability to independently perform tasks in collaboration with a research group. Well-written and spoken English is required.

Uppsala, Sweden

Employment (4 years)

100%

According to agreement

Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2023-01-28.

To qualify for third-cycle (Doctoral) courses and study programmes, you must have a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification. Alternatively, you must have conducted a minimum of four years of full-time study, of which a minimum of one year at second-cycle level.

Applicants will be selected based on their written application and CV, degree project, copies of their degree certificate and transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution, two personal references, and knowledge of English. More information about the English language requirements can be found here: www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/new-doctoral-students/english-language-requirements/

Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, a transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution. Applicants who are not Swedish citizens need to submit an attested copy of their passport’s information page containing their photograph and personal details.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

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The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses.

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