Seeking PhD student in Molecular Biosciences (A)
at the Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute. Closing date: 20 January 2017.
Research at the Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute (MBW) experimentally addresses fundamental problems in molecular cell biology, integrative biology, and infection and immunobiology. State-of-the art and advanced methodologies are applied in a professional research environment characterized by its well-established international profile. The institute has 30 research groups with a research staff of 170, of which 55 are PhD students. Read more about MBW on www.su.se/mbw.
Project description
A PhD position in bacteriophage (bacterial viruses or phages) biology is available in the laboratory headed by Associate professor Anders Nilsson. The general aim of the research carried out in the group is to investigate the coevolution of phages and their bacterial hosts while also investigating the function of uncharacterized phage genes.
The position will be located within the project "Bacteriophage lysins as Alternatives to Antimicrobial Treatment" funded by the Swedish research council FORMAS under Animal Health and Welfare (ANIHWA), a part of the EU collaborative ERA-NET. The main goal of this project is to develop phage derived lysins as potential alternatives to antibiotics in animal production. The research group's part of the project involves isolation and characterization of novel phages from environmental samples, genome sequencing as well as bioinformatic identification and characterization of lysin genes.
Qualification requirements
Graduate studies in molecular biosciences requires a completed university degree at an advanced level and education corresponding to at least 240 Swedish credits (hp), including at least 120 hp in molecular biology, biology, chemistry or similar and complementary subjects. Candidates should have successfully completed courses at an advanced level in molecular biosciences (60 hp), of which 30 hp represent independent research project work. Special consideration may be given to candidates that have other documented qualifications, obtained in Sweden or elsewhere, that are judged to have provided equivalent knowledge.
Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will primarily be based on the preceived capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity: the candidates’ documented knowledge in a relevant field of research, written and oral proficiency in English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence. The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, the quality of the degree project, references, relevant experience, interviews, and the candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position.
