The Department of Physics is located in the AlbaNova University Center and has approximately 240 employees, 250 students at undergraduate level and 95 graduate students. There are four research subjects within the postgraduate program: Physics, Theoretical Physics, Chemical Physics and Medical Radiation Physics. These subjects span over several research groups with different research activities. For information about the Department of Physics, see: www.fysik.su.se/english.

Project description
Subject: Chemical Physics

The Department of Physics offers a PhD position available for a highly motivated and enthusiastic candidate for studies in the area of biomolecular physics. The applicant is expected to play a key role in exploring the physics of biomolecular condensates which are linked to the emergence of life by concentrating key chemicals that facilitated the formation of the earliest stable cells. This is a highly interdisciplinary project in the crossroads of biophysics, data science and physical chemistry.

As a PhD student you will be part of a team exploring biochemical reactions by performing cutting-edge experiments at x-ray national and international facilities. The host laboratory consists of world leading water researchers with expertise in coherent X-ray diffraction techniques. The position is placed at the Department of Physics (Albanova) and the PhD student will work as part of the group “Structural dynamics of aqueous solutions” (https://sdaqs.fysik.su.se/ ). The group activity is related to understanding role of water in chemical and biophysical processes from a fundamental statistical physics perceptive.

The current project is funded by the Swedish Research Council and aims to development of advanced microdroplet reactor setups which offer precise control over biomolecular condensation and are designed for compatibility with large-scale facilities, such as X-ray storage rings and X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs).

Education at the research level
A PhD education at Stockholm University is four years (48 months). The 4-year PhD program includes at least 3 years of research and at most one year of course work. The position may be extended by up to one year if up to 20 % teaching assistance or administration is included in the contract. The PhD student is employed (“doktorandanställning”) during the studies, with a monthly salary starting at SEK 29 700.

Qualification requirements
In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In order to be accepted as a PhD student in Physics or Theoretical Physics a BSc in Physics (or equivalent) is required. The studies must include 60 credits of second-cycle courses in physics out of which at least 15 credits correspond to a second-cycle degree project. The degree project does not have to have been examined at the application deadline, but work corresponding to half a semester of full-time studies should have been devoted to it. For the subject Chemical Physics courses in chemistry may replace the required physics courses. The subject Medical Radiation Physics requires a second-cycle degree project of 30 credits in the subject area, or with 60 credits of physics, a second-cycle degree project of 30 credits in another subject area.

In addition, proficiency in English language, equivalent to English B in Swedish high school, is required, or

• Previously completed University degree taught in English
• IELTS score (Academic) of 6.0 or more (with none of the sections scoring less than 5.0)
• TOEFL score of 550 or more (computer based test 213, internet based 79)
• Cambridge/Oxford – Advanced or Proficiency level

The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The successful applicant will be selected based on documented theoretical and experimental knowledge relevant for the area of study, knowledge of scientific theory and method, analytical skills, personal motivation and team working skills. Well-developed English language skills are required. The applicants are encouraged to provide supporting documents that substantiate qualifications, e.g., knowledge, skills, abilities and experience.

References and interviews will be used to assess qualifications of the applicants. We seek a self-motivated candidate with good analytical abilities and skilled in English.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.su.se/rules and regulations.

Terms of employment
Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.

The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
For more information about the project, please contact Foivos Perakis, f.perakis@fysik.su.se.

For information about the employment Prof. Michael Odelius, odelius@fysik.su.se

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, seko@seko.su.se (SEKO), and PhD student representative, doktorandombud@sus.su.se.

Application
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University’s recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references
• Important: Your academic referees should send us recommendation letters no later than the closing date, via e-mail to: FV-0271-24.refletters@fysik.su.se and state in the subject line: SU FV-0271-24 + name of the applicant.

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter describing among other things:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of degree projects/theses
• Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
• Degree projects/theses (no more than 6 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

Deadline: 2024-03-01 at 23:59
Unit: Physical sciences/Math

Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.