PhD student position

This is your chance to work in a strong research environment with an interdisciplinary research topic that is very active worldwide. An excellent chance to merit yourself for whatever future career you pursue.

Project description
Our group works with chemically modified nanostructures for various applications. We are interested in developing a new kind of platform for trapping single or very few biological molecules. This will open up new possibilities for analyzing biomolecules and their function, which may ultimately lead to a better understanding of life on the molecular level.

More specifically, we want to study the behavior of proteins. For instance, we believe that the methods we are developing can be used to gain new insights on oligomer formation among certain proteins that are associated with diseases such as neurodegenerative conditions (amyloid formation). By investigating how a very small number of molecules, confined in space to the nanoscale, interact with each other we may be able to understand better how and why toxic oligomers form.

We are also interested in using our technologies to study enzymes, which are nature's catalytic machines. Enzymes are very important for various applications in bioprocessing technology. A better understanding of how they operate, obtained by studying them one by one, can improve various areas of biotechnology and sensor devices.

Finally, the synthetic systems we are developing can be used to mimic biological processes, such as transport of proteins through the membrane surrounding the cell nucleus. By artificially reproducing such processes we can learn more about how the biological machinery works on the molecular level and construct biologically inspired devices in a "bottom up" manner.

As a PhD student, you would contribute to our work on the above topics, although your exact project is subject to discussion and new research directions may emerge. Our broad research field requires knowledge about advanced nanofabrication techniques, fluorescence microscopy and organic chemistry synthesis, among other things. (You are not expected to know everything when you start, but some topic relevance in your background is meriting.) You will work closely together with other PhD students and postdocs in the same research group.

Please check this webpage for further information about the research activities in the group: http://www.adahlin.com

Information about the division and the department
The large division of Applied Chemistry consists of 14 independent groups: Applied Chemistry
This division is part of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

Major responsibilities
Your duty as a PhD student is to conduct research and present your results in written and oral forms. Note that teaching duties apply, corresponding to approximately 10% of your working time.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in a relevant field. Good recommendations from your master thesis supervisor are meriting. Similarly, good grades are meriting but not a formal requirement. The most important qualification is a true interest in science and a strong motivation to do research.

Your master degree should ideally be from the fields of physics, chemistry or materials science. However, a degree in other topics such as life science could also be a suitable background.

Note that the starting date is flexible.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20230195 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Application deadline: 30th April 2023

For questions, please contact:
Professor Andreas Dahlin, Applied Chemistry
E-mail: adahlin@chalmers.se
Phone: +46317722844

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!