PhD student position in Development of Enzymatic Catalysts

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering promotes research and education for sustainable development, for improved health and quality of life. Our research ranges from natural science and bioscience, applied chemistry and biotechnology to chemical engineering. Our educational programs are characterized by technological solutions for improving people’s everyday life, and are continuously developed for meeting and promoting societal and industrial development.

We have approximately 400 employees, divided into five research divisions and one administrative unit. We are situated at campus Johanneberg.

Our department is characterized by stimulation of world leading research, in an environment where people develop and create new knowledge.


Information about the division

The Applied chemistry division carries out research in several areas within dry and wet surface chemistry and maintains a large activity in the area of nanomaterials research. The specific research group focuses on materials chemistry for energy and environmental applications with a special emphasis on nanostructured materials synthesis, structural characterisation and performance evaluation.

Major responsibilities

The position concerns development of enzymatic catalysts and includes synthesis of tailored supports and hosts for enzymes and materials that mimics enzymes, their structural characterization and evaluation of their properties in catalytic applications. The project will cover soft immobilization of enzymes by co-assembly of biomolecules on tailored supports or in porous hosts. In addition, bio-inspired transition metal-chelating materials with catalytic active sites that resemble those present in some enzymes will be studied for enzymatic catalysis and as enzyme supports. The catalysts response to an applied electric potential and photoexcitation may also be considered. The synthesis of the materials offers a number of variables and we are interested in understanding the importance of these on the structure of the materials and their performance.

Your major responsibilities as PhD student is to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 10 per cent of working hours.

Positions summary 

Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of four and a half years.

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. A suitable background for candidates is a M.Sc. in Materials Chemistry, Biochemistry or Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry or an equivalent education, and a strong interest in experimental materials science.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in Swedish and English. If Swedish is not your native language, you should be able to teach in Swedish after two years. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Application procedure

The application should be marked with Ref 20130154 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically via Chalmers webpage.

Application deadline: August 4, 2014

For questions, please contact:
Prof. Anders Palmqvist, Applied Chemistry, anders.palmqvist@chalmers.se, +46 31-772 2961

 


Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society.

The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, 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!