PhD program

The research projects at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics cover a number of areas of high international interest, such as molecular studies on photosynthesis, mitochondria: biogenesis, structure & function, biochemical toxicology, lipid biosynthesis & function, protein structure, folding & trafficing, membrane protein topology & assembly, DNA-RNA-PNA interactions, bioinformatics, and biological nitrogen fixation. Research at the department involves plants, mammals, yeast, cyanobacteria and photosynthetic bacteria. The department is well equipped and within the projects modern gene technology and computer modelling are used as well as other biochemical, biophysical and physiological methods.

PhD positions are announced four times per year, see

http://www.dbb.su.se/PhD_program/PhD_positions

To be accepted as a PhD student, credits corresponding to four years of full-time studies at the undergraduate level are required, including credits corresponding to at least two years of fulltime studies in chemistry, life sciences or physics, depending on the program. The credits should include courses at the advanced level (second cycle) corresponding to one year and of these one semester should be a degree thesis. In order to facilitate the evaluation of merits and suitability for the PhD studies the curriculum vitae (CV) should contain information about the extent and focus of the academic studies. The quantity (as part of an academic year) and the quality mark of courses in chemistry and physics are of particular interest. Please state titles of undergraduate theses and project works.

The selection among applicants will be based on the judgement of their capacity to successfullycomplete the PhD program. In practical terms, this means that the study merits will be the main selection criterion. The local study merits, such as passed advanced courses or project work at the department, will be given a relatively high weight. Equal opportunity aspects between men and women will be given a certain weight, as well as willingness and ability of candidates to participate in undergraduate teaching.

Economic support is guaranteed during the agreed time in the individual study syllabus(study plan) for the graduate studies, totally for a maximum of 4 years. The department may request that the graduate student takes part in teaching or other departmental work in an activity additional to the graduate studies for up to 20% of full work time in years 2-4.

Additional information can be obtained from Astrid Gräslund, head of department (prefekt), tel. 08-162450 (astrid@dbb.su.se) or from Stefan Nordlund, director of post-graduate studies, tel. 08-162932 (stefan@dbb.su.se).