Doctoral student in Natural Science, Specialising in Biology

Gothenburg, Sweden

2025-11-10 (Europe/Stockholm)

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The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

Doctoral position in Natural Science, Specialising in Biology (focus on Structural Biology)

Research and graduate education at the department of chemistry and molecular biology comprises a wide scientific field from the atomic and molecular levels all the way through cells to intact organisms. Much of the phenomena studied here impact on our natural environment and living systems. We participate in undergraduate programs in chemistry, molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, biology, marine sciences, and pharmacy.

As a PhD student you will be part of the research group of Prof Gisela Brändén. We collaborate closely with other research groups within the Biochemistry and Structural Biology Division and the environment is very international. In the Brändén group we use a range of biochemical and biophysical methods to study the structure, function and dynamics of proteins. A special focus is on new methods within structural biology that utilize X-rays from synchrotrons and XFELs to track structural changes in proteins as they work. More information about the research group is found at: https://cmb.gu.se/english/about_us/staff/?languageId=100001&disableRedirect=true&returnUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fcmb.gu.se%2Fom_institutionen%2Fpersonal%2F?userId=xbragi&userId=xbragi&utm_source=chatgpt.com

The specific PhD project is focused on time-resolved structural studies of the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase using serial crystallography and other biophysical methods. It involves performing experiments at various international research facilities and in collaboration with other groups. The same methods will also be applied to other enzymes to better understand their function. Potential application areas are within medicine and biotechnology.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages.

https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Duties

As a PhD student in this project, you will use biochemical methods to express and purify proteins. You will develop methods for the crystallization of proteins, manipulate crystals and design experimental set ups to be able to collect time-resolved X-ray structural data of the active protein. An important part of the project is data processing and structural analysis. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the MAX IV synchrotron in Lund as well as international synchrotron facilities.

As part of the PhD education, you will read and write scientific publications and present research results at national and international conferences and seminar series.

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.

Eligibility

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, applicants must: (i) have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or (ii) have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or (iii) have completed a corresponding program of relevance to the planned third-cycle program, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.

*Relevant for the planned third-cycle education

The specific entry requirements also include an acceptable command of spoken and written English. Guidelines for assessing English proficiency may include a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL test (or 213 on the TOEFL-CBT, or 79 on the TOEFL-iBT).

Assessment criteria

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.

In selecting between applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements, their ability to benefit from third-cycle studies shall be taken into account. The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for:

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate academic and scientific excellence, to be at ease collaborating with other scientists within a larger team, and to possess high quality communication skills. In addition, it is of great importance that the applicant shows the ability to take own initiatives and is independent, shows enthusiasm for research, has a willingness to learn new skills, and is fluent in English (orally and in writing).

Admission and employment

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.

Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, four years full time

Extent: 100 %

Location: Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Gothenburg

First day of employment: As soon as possible based on agreement

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

Please note, doctoral studies at The Department of Chemistry and Molecular biology require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, The Department of Chemistry and Molecular biology has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Contact information

Gisela Brändén (gisela.branden@gu.se)

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: 
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

You must include the following, in PDF format

• Personal letter
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
• Proof of completion of English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies
• Two references (name, e-mail, telephone number, relation)

If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

Applications must be received by: November 10, 2025-11-10

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations. Salaries are set individually at the University. In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed. In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.