PhD student in Medicinal Chemistry

Published: 2023-09-07

The Department of Medicinal Chemistry at Uppsala University (ILK) is a strong and international research environment in the area of pharmaceutical development. The department has approximately 85 employees and here doctoral students, teachers, researchers and administrators work closely together in a creative and open environment. More information about the institution is available at www.ilk.uu.se.

We are searching for a motivated, creative and enthusiastic PhD student who is interested in using synthetic organic chemistry to develop new antibiotics. The PhD student will be primarily supervised by Associate Senior Lecturer Lindon Moodie at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry.  

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Project Description
The lack of new antibiotics and the increasing spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a significant health threat and, to meet this challenge, new approaches are needed in antibiotic development. The current PhD project aims to address this by studying protein degradation as a new antibacterial strategy.

Duties
The PhD student will focus on the synthesis of bacterial protein degraders and the optimization of their activity against bacteria. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with other researchers in the fields of microbiology, biochemistry and computational chemistry.

Requirements
Those who have a pharmacy degree, civil engineering degree, master's degree or equivalent chemistry knowledge of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or equivalent knowledge acquired in other ways, either in Sweden or abroad, are eligible for postgraduate education.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities such as good cooperation skills, motivation and independence, as well as how the applicant, through their experience and competence, is judged to have the abilities required to be able to assimilate and develop within the doctoral education.

Due to the close collaboration with researchers in various fields, it is important to have good communication skills and social skills. Very good knowledge of spoken and written English is necessary.

Additional qualifications
Previous experience in, above all, organic chemistry is meritorious and the applicant should be interested in applying these skills to biological questions. Experience in the development of antibiotics is desirable. The doctoral student is also expected to actively participate in teaching at the department. Interest and relevant experience in education are therefore meritorious.

You can find information about education at postgraduate level, eligibility requirements and admission regulations at http://www2.medfarm.uu.se/utbildning/forskarniva/. Selection of applicants is made by the supervisor in consultation with the department's postgraduate education group. Our goal is to recruit the student who is judged to be most suitable to carry out the project and develop into an independent researcher and contribute positively to the department's development. The doctoral education committee in the scientific field of medicine and pharmacy accepts the doctoral student. Salary placement takes place according to local guidelines at Uppsala University.

For employment, it is required that the holder is accepted or will be accepted for postgraduate education. Regulations for doctoral students can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance ch. 5 §§1-7 as well as the Uppsala University's rules and guidelines. The doctoral student must primarily devote himself to his own doctoral education. Other service at the department, which relates to teaching and administrative work can be included within the framework of the doctoral place (max. 20%). The education at postgraduate level normally comprises 4 years of full-time studies, a maximum of 5 years if departmental service is added.

The Application
The Application should be written in English and include the following documents:

• A cover letter describing the applicant’s previous experience and their motivation to conduct a PhD in organic chemistry/antibiotic development (max. two page).
• Curriculum vitae
• A summary of their research experiences (max. two page).
• Academic transcripts
• Copies of degrees/diplomas.
• Contact information for at least two references

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 November 2023, or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Associate Professor Lindon Moodie (lindon.moodie@ilk.uu.se).

Information about the employment is provided by: Head of Department Anders Karlén, (anders.karlen@ilk.uu.se).

Please submit your application by 26 September 2023, UFV-PA 2023/3150.

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