PhD position in Chemistry, in biochemistry on the microalgal cell wall

Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

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The Department of Chemistry is opening a PhD position in Chemistry with a specialization in biochemistry. The thesis project will focus on investigating the biosynthesis and modification of the cell wall of Chlorophyta microalgae. The position is for four years of doctoral studies, including participation in research and postgraduate courses. The last day to apply is May 20th, 2025. Starting date is October 2025 or by agreement.

Project description and tasks

Despite their promise as a sustainable feedstock for biotechnological applications, the use of microalgae has been hindered by high monetary and energy costs associated with the processing steps that follow cultivation, particularly the extraction of valuable compounds from the algal biomass. Microalgae are surrounded by a thick cell wall, which presents a challenge to these processes; this cell wall first must be broken, removed, or enzymatically digested. Even though knowledge of the microalgal cell wall is highly important to make algal biotechnology energetic and economic feasible, very little is known about the diverse cell walls of Chlorophyta, the green unicellular microalgae used in biotechnological applications.

Your research will focus on investigations of the biosynthesis and modification of the cell wall of Chlorophyta. Using bioinformatic tools you will identify key enzymes in the cell wall biosynthesis and identify evolutionary paths. Biochemical analyses will highlight changes in the microalgal cell wall in response to stress. You will further investigate the carbon flux in Chlorophyta to elucidate the metabolic pathway from CO2 to the cell wall and use molecular biological tools to generate algal strains with improved cell wall properties.

This project offers an exceptional opportunity to be an active member in an innovative, multidisciplinary research program at the interface of plant research, biochemistry and microalgal biotechnology.

Qualifications

To be admitted for studies at third-cycle level you are required to have completed a second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level or have an equivalent education from abroad, or equivalent qualifications.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements to be admitted for studies at third-cycle level in chemistry, you are required to have completed first-cycle courses of at least 90 ECTS credits within the field of chemistry or another subject considered to be directly relevant to the specialization in question. Of those 90 ECTS credits, at least 15 ECTS credits shall have been acquired at second-cycle level within the specialization or an equivalent subject.

Additional required qualifications are:

• A solid background in biochemistry and enthusiasm for the scientific topic described above.
• Experience in standard molecular biological and/or cell biological techniques.
• Very good written and oral English language skills. Good communication skills are required.

As an applicant you should have the capacity to take the initiative, be creative and to administer own progress with accuracy. It is important to have a good ability to work independently as well as in a group in a cross disciplinary environment.

Merits are: 

• Experience with microalgal cultivation in lab- or pilot-scale
• prior knowledge of biochemical techniques and procedures employed for carbohydrate, lipid or protein analyses.
• Skills in computational biology or biological modelling.
• Experience working with cell walls from plants or other organisms.
• Be proactive and take own initiative.

Consideration will be given to collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing doctoral studies.

About the employment

The position is intended to result in a doctoral degree. The main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies, including participation in research and doctoral courses. The duties can include teaching and other departmental work (up to 20%). The employment is limited to the equivalent of four years of full-time (48 months) or up to five years for teaching part-time. Salary is set in accordance with the established salary levels for PhD positions. The employment starts in October 2025  or according to agreement.

As employees at Umeå University PhD students are granted social benefits such as parental leave, holiday leave, and occupational health services. Read more about the benefits of being an employee at Umeå University here: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/benefits/.  .

Application

You apply via our e-recruitment system Varbi. Log in and apply via the button at the bottom of the page. The deadline for applications is May 20th, 2025.

The application, written in English or Swedish, should include:

• a personal letter with a brief description of why you are applying for the position, and how your qualifications and research interests are relevant to the doctoral project described above (no more than 2 pages),
• a curriculum vitae,
• copies of degree certificates, diplomas or equivalent, including documentation of completed academic courses, grades obtained, and other certificates of relevance to the described project,
• copies of student theses on advance level or other publications (no more than 5)
• contact information for at least two reference persons.

Further information

Further information is provided by Christiane Funk, [email protected].

Welcome with your application!

About us

The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 employees and strong and expanding research. The Department has four major research areas: Biological Chemistry, IBEAM, Organic chemistry and Technical Chemistry. We are also a strong partner in the KBC, Chemical-Biological Center. Information about the postgraduate education can be found on the Faculty of Science and Technology website: www.umu.se/en/faculty-of-science-and-technology/education/doctoral-studies/chemistry/. For more information about working at Umeå University, https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/.

Umeå University strives to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.