Doctoral student in protein design for improved terpene biosynthesis

Project description

Syrén's research group is recruiting a PhD student in protein design applied to terpene biosynthesis. The project, which is funded by EU (HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN), involves international research groups and exchanges with those (e.g. Jean Monnet University in France)  and is at the forefront of biocatalysis and enzyme design. The successful candidate needs to be motivated to learn techniques from both of these disciplines as well as have an interest in synthetic biology.

With a growing population and a decrease in the available natural resources on our planet, there is a great need for innovative production methods based on green chemistry. The main aim of this project is to develop protein-based catalysts for selective transformations applied to terpenes. The research area of ​​the PhD student includes protein design, enzyme engineering and synthetic biology to expand nature's current repertoire with respect to selective biosynthesis of terpenes.

Third-cycle subject: Chemical science and engineering

Supervision: Per-Olof Syrén 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.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement, aligned with the MSCA support for living, family and mobility.
• 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.

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, in biocatalysis, biotechnology, biochemistry, green chemistry or corresponding areas.
•  Mobility rule. At the time of recruitment, the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Short stays, such as holidays, are not considered.
• No PhD awarded. Applicants are not eligible if they have already been awarded a PhD.
• The selected candidate must be willing to spend a prolonged time in another institute/country of the network during the PhD thesis period. 

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

Selection

Deep knowledge in molecular biology and protein design, analytical chemistry and molecular modeling are of merit for this position. Experience of interdisciplinary scientific work at the interface of synthetic biology and biocatalysis is moreover an advantage.

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.

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. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

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.

According to The Protective Security Act (2018-585), the candidate must undergo and pass security vetting if the position is placed in a security class. Information regarding whether the position is subject to such a classification will be provided during the recruitment process.

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.