Doctoral student in Protein design

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Chemistry

Syrén's research group (www.syrenlab.com) is recruiting up to two PhD students in de novo protein design. The project, which is funded by the NNF Research leader program involves de novo enzyme design and characterization of computer-designed enzymes.

With a growing population and a decrease in the available natural resources on our planet, there is a great need for innovative green chemistries . The main aim of this research project is to develop protein-based catalysts that are new to nature. The research area for the PhD student includes de novo protein design, AI-assisted enzyme engineering and design, and synthetic biology to expand nature's current repertoire of biosynthesis.

The biocatalysts and their products will be carefully analyzed using interdisciplinary (bio)chemical methods. Communication and summarization of the research results to society in the form of presentations, participation in conferences and through scientific publications are part of your tasks as a PhD student. The work will be placed at the School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health at KTH. Collaboration with the Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology at KTH and the Science for Life Laboratory will be an integrated part of the doctoral student service.

Supervision:  is Per-Olof Syrén proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Guidance on relocating and settling in at KTH and in Sweden
• The successful candidate will work in the de novo protein design working group in this interdisciplinary collaborative project, within the research front in enzyme design (Syrén) and in close collaboration with industrial partners..

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge
• Master's degree in bioinformatics, biocatalysis, biotechnology, biochemistry, or equivalent

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyze and work with complex issues.
• In-depth knowledge in molecular biology and protein design, bioinformatics analytical chemistry and molecular modeling is an advantage. Experience in interdisciplinary scientific work at the interface between de novo protein design and experimental synthetic biology and biocatalysis is also an advantage. After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. 

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Contact information for doctoral section.

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here