Doctoral student in Biophysical Chemistry and Protein Self-Assembly Full-time NEW

Doctoral Student in Biophysical Chemistry and Protein Self-Assembly

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world's top universities. The University has around 46,000 students and 8,500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the human condition.

Description of the Workplace

The research at the division for Biophysical Chemistry is dedicated to the study of biomolecular interactions, structure, and dynamics, with the aim of understanding biological systems and processes at the molecular level. The emphasis is on experimental and theoretical studies of the physical properties of proteins in solution.

The Center for Molecular Protein Science (CMPS), Department of Chemistry brings together scientists active within the fields of biochemistry, molecular biophysics, structural biology, and physical and theoretical chemistry. Collectively we are around 70 people distributed in 15 research groups. You will join the research group of Kristine Steen Jensen at CMPS, Biophysical Chemistry.

Being a Doctoral Student

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University. As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

More about being a doctoral student at LTH on lth.se.

Subject and Project Description

This PhD project invites you to explore how designed proteins can become building blocks for the materials of the future. The project will focus on the experimental characterization of two-dimensional self-assemblies of AI-designed proteins. These protein architectures are envisioned as programmable nanoscale platforms for sustainable biofabrication and semiconductor-related applications. Using cryo-electron microscopy you will visualize whether the designed proteins assemble into the intended ordered 2D structures. A central part of the project will be to develop spectroscopic assays to follow assembly formation, probe stability, and detect interactions between protein components. These assays will be adapted for high-throughput screening, enabling many protein designs and assembly conditions to be evaluated efficiently. You will also explore how non-native metal-binding groups can be introduced into proteins through genetic code expansion strategies to place metals in specific patterns on a protein scaffold. Together this will open opportunities to tune protein materials for interactions with inorganic and semiconductor components. By connecting molecular design with advanced imaging, spectroscopy, and screening, the project aims to create new routes toward sustainable nanotechnology. The PhD project is part of an interdisciplinary collaboration between de novo protein designers, biophysical chemists, biochemists, and semiconductor physicists.

Work Duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, which includes participation in research projects as well as third cycle courses, seminars, and conferences.

You will be responsible for production and experimental characterization of self-assembling de novo designed proteins, but will also be involved in selection of promising constructs and are expected to contribute to the overall design strategy. You will work in close collaboration with computational protein designers to establish a proficient feedback loop between experimental results and design strategy.

The work duties include:

• Filtering and selection of de novo designed proteins for characterization
• Protein expression and purification
• Design and production of novel protein assemblies with non-canonical amino acids with metal binding properties
• Developments of high-through-put screening assays
• Spectroscopic characterization of 2D protein self-assembly
• Cryogenic electron microscopy of protein-metal assemblies
• The duties also include participation in teaching and other departmental work (however, a maximum of 20% of working hours). The division is responsible for courses in physical chemistry, NMR spectroscopy, and biophysical chemistry.

Qualifications

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

Admission Requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Biophysical Chemistry if the applicant has:

• a MSc in Engineering, a one-year Master's degree or other comparable degree with significant components of mathematics, molecular sciences, and life sciences. Depending on the student's research project, second-cycle courses in physical chemistry, biophysical chemistry, protein science, and/or molecular spectroscopy may be required.

Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the program.

Additional Requirements:

• Experience of experimental protein characterization and biophysical measurements with quantitative data analysis.
• Molecular understanding of protein structure and interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Scientific curiosity
• Good molecular understanding
• The applicant should also have good analytical skills (problem solving), be initiative-taking, demonstrate ability to cooperate, be persistent.
• Good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Other qualifications

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications:

• Experience of producing proteins recombinantly is considered a merit.
• Experience of characterization of the structure of proteins with cryo electron microscopy is considered a merit.
• Experiences with experimental characterization and quantitative data analysis of protein self-assembly is considered a merit.

We Offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave, and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

More about working at Lund University on lu.se.

About the Employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting 2026-09-01 or as agreed. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

More about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University's Staffpages.

How to Apply

Applications shall be written in English and include:

• CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background.
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project.
• Contact information for two references.
• Grade transcripts
• Other documents you wish to be considered (letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application!