2 PhD student positions in Microbial Chemistry

Published: 2017-01-17

Uppsala University is an international research university focused on the development of science and education. Our most important assets are all the individuals who with their curiosity and their dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting work places. Uppsala University has 40,000 students, 7,000 employees and a turnover of SEK 6,5 billion.

The Department of Chemistry – Ångström has more than 300 active persons, of which 170 are employees and the rest consist of guest researchers and students doing research on master level.

Research in the Microbial Chemistry group is focused on cyanobacteria, photosynthetic microorgansims with the ability to convert solar energy, CO2 and water into useful compounds. We work on metabolic engineering of cyanobacteria for renewable generation of chemicals and fuels, with the greater goal to contribute to a sustainable future through biotechnology. We employ gene technology to alter the metabolism of cyanobacteria, so that we can harvest the converted solar energy in the form of desired products, generated directly within the host cell. We also investigate the native metabolism of the cyanobacteria, in order to further our understanding of relevant pathways and mechanisms.

The Microbial Chemistry group provides a highly creative research environment, and the projects we are working on provide many opportunities for interaction and collaboration. The group currently consists of three senior scientists, several post-doctoral researchers, and graduate students in different stages of their education.

Projects: You will work in a project aiming to generate strains of cyanobacteria with new capabilities in formation of renewable chemicals. One of the available projects is about biosynthesis of terpenoids, a large and structurally diverse family of compounds with many applications, ranging from fuels to pharmaceuticals. The other project concerns developing renewable generation of chemicals originating from different pathways in the central metabolism of cyanobacteria. You will identify target pathways and enzymes to be incorporated in the cells, make genetic constructs and test them in model organisms, and evaluate the results. Molecular and biochemical techniques are used, at Uppsala University and in collaborations with other labs, to analyse the cells’ response to genetic and environmental changes, in terms of productivity, growth, photosynthesis, and other characteristics. The results are used to further develop the design of new, engineered cells, and increase our fundamental understanding of cyanobacterial metabolism and limitations to productivity.

You will also take part in an ongoing collaborative effort to improve the potential of cyanobacteria as biotechnological host organisms, developing synthetic biology tools for use in our model strains.

Qualifications: To be eligible for the position you must have, or obtain before the agreed starting date, an academic degree at master level or equivalent with specialization within biology, biochemistry, molecular biology or biotechnology. Documented practical skills in molecular biology work are required. Previous experience in molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry or similar is an advantage.

Large emphasis will be put on personal qualities; we are looking for a person with good collaboration and communication skills, who takes own initiatives and is able to work efficiently and independently. Excellent knowledge in English, both written and oral, is a must.

Position: The PhD education corresponds to four years of full time studies. The position may be combined with teaching (up to 20%) which extends the position by the corresponding amount of time.

More information about postgraduate studies at Uppsala University is available here.

Rules governing Ph.D. candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university's rules and guidelines.

Application: The application should contain a personal letter where you briefly describe yourself, your research interests, and motivate why you wish to do a PhD. The application should also contain your CV, copies of relevant exams and course grades, letters of reference or contact information of at least two reference persons, as well as other documents (such as publications) that you want to refer to in your application.

Uppsala University aims for gender balance and diversity in all activities in order to achieve a higher quality at all levels of the organization. We therefore welcome applicants of any gender and with different birth background, functionality and life experience.

Pay: According to local agreement for PhD students.
 
Starting: 1 April 2017 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position 4 years.

Working hours: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact Associate Professor Pia Lindberg, phone: +46 18-4716587, e-mail: pia.lindberg@kemi.uu.se

You are welcome to submit your application no later than 2017-02-28, UFV-PA 2016/4139

We decline offers of recruitment and advertising help. We only accept the application the way described in the advertisement.