School of Engineering Sciences at KTH

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Biological physics

We seek a doctoral student to develop new methods to describe, manage and organize molecular data, in particular for molecular simulations. The division of biophysics at Science for Life Laboratory is internationally leading in developing techniques both for molecular dynamics simulation of proteins (GROMACS) and reconstruction of their structure using cryo-electron microscopy (RELION). Large parts of modern research are based on extensive simulations, but we still lack methods to efficiently store, transfer and visualize such data, and not least to describe data in fashions that make it possible to use machine learning and similar methods to automatically compare molecular data. The aim of this project is to develop and implement such methods in some of the world’s most widely used codes, to build common databases to share and exchange molecular data, and use them for comparative studies of proteins.

Supervision: Professor Erik Lindahl is 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.Read more
  • 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.
  • Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.
  • Research in a cross-disciplinary internationally leading group at Science for Life Laboratory with participation in several strategic research areas and a strong EU network that develops some of the fields most used computational tools.

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

The applicant must have a second cycle degree in physics, chemistry or related subject, with a strong academic track record.

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

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
  • analyse and work with complex issues.
  • The position requires good knowledge of programming (preferably modern C++ & Python), as well as knowledge of statistics.
  • Experience from biological systems and theoretical methods to study them is a merit, as is knowledge of statistical mechanics.
  • The work requires a very good command of English, and an ability to work as part of a large mixed international research team.

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

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

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

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

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

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 please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

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

 

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number S-2023-0709
Contact
  • Professor Erik Lindahl, erik.lindahl@scilifelab.se
Published 11.May.2023
Last application date 19.Jun.2023 11:59 PM CEST

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