PhD-student

The Department of Chemistry is opening a PhD position in Chemistry with a specialization in biochemistry. The thesis project will focus on electron microscopy (EM) method development using focused ion beam (FIB), cryo-EM and electron tomography. The position is for four years of doctoral studies, including participation in research and postgraduate courses. The last day to apply is 31rd October 2025. Starting date is as soon as possible or by agreement.

Project description and tasks

As a PhD student you will conduct research at the biochemistry and biophysics division of the department. The research group is associated to the strong microbiology research center in Umeå, the Molecular Infection Medicine in Sweden (MIMS, https://www.umu.se/mims/) and Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR, https://www.umu.se/ucmr/om-ucmr/) offering an vibrating research environment for meetings and collaborations. The research group is directly associated to the Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM, https://www.umu.se/en/research/infrastructure/umea-centre-for-electron-microscopy-ucem/), offering access and support for EM experiments. The facility is part of the national infrastructure network SciLifeLab for Cryo-EM and cellular volume imaging, providing “state of the art” technology access for this project.

Cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM) methods provide possibilities to visualize the architecture and molecular machines driving bacterial growth and development. The bacterial cytoplasm and plasma membrane is a crowded environment, filled with biomolecules, with unique spatial organization and dynamic properties. We study the filamentous bacterium family of Streptomyces, the in vitro assembly of cytoskeleton proteins and the cellular localization polarisome and divisome protein complexes. Prokaryotic cytoskeleton proteins offer a fantastic and unexplored world of protein polymer assemblies with diverse similarities and evolutionary aspects comparable to the eukaryotic cytoskeleton.[AB2] [BF3] [AB4]  The thesis project will focus on electron microscopy (EM) method development. This by combining cryo-EM sample preparation, single particle and helical 3D reconstruction, as well as in situ electron tomography approaches to image bacterial multi protein complexes, including cytoskeleton proteins and the mechanisms regulating bacterial polarity and cell division.

Qualifications

To be admitted for studies at third-cycle level you are required to have completed a second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level or have an equivalent education from abroad, or equivalent qualifications.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements to be admitted for studies at third-cycle level in chemistry, you are required to have completed first-cycle courses of at least 90 ECTS credits within the field of chemistry or another subject considered to be directly relevant to the specialization in question. Of those 90 ECTS credits, at least 15 ECTS credits shall have been acquired at second-cycle level within the specialization or an equivalent subject.

Additional required qualifications are:

The successful PhD candidate must hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology engineering or related scientific fields. A strong interest and enthusiasm for biological science, microbiology and biotechnology are important keys to motivate research and method development for this project. Practical project experiences including molecular biology, gene technology, protein biochemistry, especially protein purification, and computational image analysis must be acquired before starting PhD project work. As a PhD candidate, you must also be fluent in both oral and written English..[AB5] [BF6] [AB7] 

Merits are:

Skills and experiences of diverse microscopy techniques, especially electron microscopy, computational programming and modeling are qualifying.

Consideration will also be given to collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing doctoral studies.

About the employment

The position is intended to result in a doctoral degree. The main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies, including participation in research and doctoral courses. The duties can include teaching and other departmental work (up to 20%). The employment is limited to the equivalent of four years of full-time (48 months) or up to five years for teaching part-time. Salary is set in accordance with the established salary levels for PhD positions. The employment starts as soon as possible  or according to agreement.

As employees at Umeå University PhD students are granted social benefits such as parental leave, holiday leave, and occupational health services. Read more about the benefits of being an employee at Umeå University here: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/benefits/.  The candidate’s physical workplace will be in Umeå. Their position could start immediately, but begin no later than January 2026.

Application

You apply via our e-recruitment system Varbi. Log in and apply via the button at the bottom of the page. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2025.

The application, written in English or Swedish, should include:

• a personal letter with a brief description of why you are applying for the position, and how your qualifications and research interests are relevant to the doctoral project described above (no more than 2 pages),
• a curriculum vitae,
• copies of degree certificates, diplomas or equivalent, including documentation of completed academic courses, grades obtained, and other certificates of relevance to the described project,
• copies of student theses on advance level or other publications (no more than 5)
• contact information for at least two reference persons.

Further information

Further information is provided by PhD, associate professor and team leader Linda Sandblad, e-mail: linda.sandblad@umu.se, tel: 0709 324936.

Welcome with your application!

About us

The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 employees and strong and expanding research. The Department has four major research areas: Biological Chemistry, IBEAM, Organic chemistry and Technical Chemistry. We are also a strong partner in the KBC, Chemical-Biological Center. Information about the postgraduate education can be found on the Faculty of Science and Technology website: www.umu.se/en/faculty-of-science-and-technology/education/doctoral-studies/chemistry/.