Doctoral student in molecular biology with focus on protein phase separation and aging

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 molecular biology with focus on protein phase separation and aging
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.
The group’s research interest is focused on deciphering mechanisms underlying the formation of membraneless originals and their roles in aging and aging-related diseases by developing and applying novel high-content screening techniques using (but not limit to) yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a model system. Such approaches make it possible to pull out almost all components being part of any specific biological machinery and allows for an unbiased, genome-wide, identification of components and networks involved in, for example, stress granule regulation, protein phase separation condensate formation, protein quality control machinery, protein aggregate formation and inheritance and epigenetic silencing.
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
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The PhD project will comprise elements of both experimental and computational work. The extent and types of experimental work will be determined by the interest and qualifications of the applicant. The PhD student is expected to contribute to experiment planning, execution and analysis, as well as to writing manuscript writing and literature searches. Active participation in research presentation at seminars and conferences is encouraged.
We expect the PhD project to develop continuously through discussions between the PhD candidate, the supervisor, and other group members.
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
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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:
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
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The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.
The applicant should hold a master’s degree or be close to finishing. Relevant masters programs include molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, bioinformatics, biotechnology, synthetic biology, and systems biology. The specific entry requirements also include an acceptable command of spoken and written English.
The assessment will attach particular weight to documented qualifications for one or more of the following areas: Omics analysis, molecular and cell biology analyses, yeast genetics, protein and RNA biochemistry, genomics and bioinformatics, statistics and data processing, synthetic biology. It is not a requirement to have qualifications in all these areas; one or a few may be sufficient. There is flexibility to adapt the PhD project according to the particular areas of strength and interests of the applicant.
In selecting between applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements, their ability to benefit from third-cycle studies will be taken into account. We are looking for a candidate with a strong motivation and interest in a PhD education. We attach much weight to the ability for independent thinking and initiative.

Admission and employment
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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
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Professor Beidong Liu
Department of Chemistry and Molecular biology
University of Gothenburg
[email protected]

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

Application
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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.
In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system.
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:  6th of March 2025

Information for International Applicants
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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.