PhD student position in Organic chemistry for biosensor applications

General information about the project
PEST-BIN is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovation Training Network (ITN), funded by the European Commission, Horizon 2020 Program. Commencing its activities in January 2021, the Network will provide PhD training to 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs).

Consortium objectives
Antibiotic resistance has been named as one of the greatest threats to global health by the World Health Organization. There are increasing numbers of bacterial infections not responding to known antibiotics. The humanity needs to pioneer disruptive technologies to re-gain the upper hand. To do so, PEST-BIN mobilizes six universities, three research institutes, a hospital and five private companies with one common mission: to pioneer novel technologies to fight bacterial infections. Our network will combine very diverse tools: from nano-engineering, antibiotic discovery and production, via proteomics-based diagnostics to big data analysis using artificial intelligence (AI) – all of which will be contribute to new, interdisciplinary technologies. All PEST-BIN ESRs will be trained in an intersectoral environment – experiencing a tight collaboration among academia, healthcare and the private sector.

Information about the division
The Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Chalmers University of Technology has approximately 70 employees. It offers a dynamical working environment with a high percentage of young researchers pursuing their doctoral training. Research questions range from advancing solar energy conversion, to the understanding of nerve signals, prebiotic chemistry, materials chemistry and catalysis. The division aims to provide excellent research and teaching as well as an outstanding doctoral training. This project fits well into the interdisciplinary environment at the division.

Major responsibilities
The PhD position at Chemistry and Biochemistry will include the following research- and technology tasks:

a) develop skills in the synthesis and characterization of organic compounds
b) prepare synthetic receptors and evaluate their binding properties to diagnostic biomarker compounds
c) in collaboration with another ESR, functionalize graphene with synthetic receptors
d) evaluate the properties of the graphene devices as biosensors

As a PhD student you are expected to develop own ideas, guided by your supervisor, and communicate scientific results orally as well as in written form. In addition, the position will normally include 10-20% departmental work, mostly teaching duties. 

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The employment is limited to four years, with a possibility to be extended for a maximum of one year depending on the amount of teaching duties.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
All ESRs will have e personal career development plan and benefit from continuing education, secondments and training/networking events within PEST-BIN. All ESR will be guided by an academic and non-academic supervisor, experiencing a truly intersectoral working environment.

Qualifications
Applicants can be of any nationality. PEST-BIN supports a balanced gender representation by promoting genuine equal access opportunities throughout the recruitment process.

Applicants are required to undertake transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. At the time of recruitment by the host beneficiary, ESRs must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of appointment.

To be considered an ESR, at the time of recruitment by the host, the candidates must be in the first four years (full- time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate (typically a MSc degree).

Applicants must have a diploma (or obtain a diploma before their employment starts) granting access to doctoral studies (typically a MSc degree). Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's level degree but cannot begin before having received it. 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 such as Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology. Other backgrounds will also be considered.project.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English at a level that is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
For more information and to apply, pelase go to this webpage

Application deadline: 1 februari, 2021

For questions, please contact:
Nina Kann, Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, kann@chalmers.se,
Tel: +46 31 772 3070

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