We are looking for a PhD student in molecular and structural virology. The position at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Umeå University, Sweden, is temporary for four years to start during spring 2024 or as agreed. The position is salaried and fully funded.
The PhD student will use state-of the-art methods such as cryo-electron tomography of cells/tissues, biochemical reconstitution, and cryo-EM structure determinations to study the replication of positive-sense RNA viruses. This is a vast group of viruses responsible for diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, COVID-19, and viral myocarditis. To copy their genomes, positive-sense RNA viruses remodel the cytoplasm of the infected cell to create viral replication organelles. Despite their central role in virus infections, our understanding of the structure and function of replication organelles is still limited. The PhD student will study fundamental questions regarding the structure and function of replication organelles.
The PhD student will primarily devote themselves to their own education, with a limited amount of time (up to 20%) possibly being spent on teaching assistance against a corresponding extension of the contract time. The research group and the department aim to provide the supportive environment required for you to develop into a first-class researcher, and you will have ample opportunity to shape your own project. The department is located within the Chemical-Biological Centre at Umeå University, where the PhD student will have access to world-class core facilities such as the Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy. The research group is further embedded in an active and collaborative infection biology community, in the form of Umeå Centre for Microbial Research and Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden.
Eligibility
Applicants must hold a university degree equivalent to a European University Masters degree or completed course requirements of at least 240 credit points, of which at least 60 credit points should be at second-cycle level. You should be fluent in spoken and written English.
Qualifications
Aptitude for critical and creative thinking is expected, as is a solid education in a subject such as (but not limited to) biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology or biology. The research may entail both experimental and computational work. Therefore, experience in experimental molecular biology and cell biology is a merit, as is understanding of physics and structural biology, and experience in computational work including programming. You should be highly motivated and be able to work productively in an international team as well as independently. Excellent communication skills for interacting effectively with senior colleagues and peers are required. Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability, scientific reasoning, and the ability to write and understand scientific text.
More about us
You can find more information about the research group here. For any questions about the position, contact lars-anders.carlson@umu.se
How to apply
The application must be submitted through Umeå University’s application system. More information on the application and selection procedure can be found there.
Application deadline
17 December 2023
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