PhD Fellowship in Antibiotic Research 2019, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

The Department of Biology and Biological Engineering was founded January 1 2015, and started off with high ambitions. The aim was to grow and become a leading center of innovation by combining the latest research in life sciences with biochemistry. And the department got off to flying start. In its first year, the numbers for publication, citation and external funding have been excellent.

The department consists of four divisions, each conducting outstanding research in the areas of industrial biotechnology, systems biology, chemical biology and food science. The overall goal is to help build a sustainable society and improve human health.

Nearly 200 people from 20 countries are currently working at the department. The working environment is characterized by respect, cooperation, responsibility, creativity and job satisfaction.

The Department of Biology and Biological Engineering has summarized its mission in four points:
• To be an attractive environment for top-level researchers in biological engineering
• To deliver top-level research results and innovative solutions for use in a sustainable society
• To offer excellent education that develops creative engineers and scientists
• To be a major contributor to international visibility of Chalmers

Information about the research
A four-year PhD position in antibiotic research is available in a new junior group embedded in the Division of Chemical Biology. 

The discovery of antibiotics such as penicillin revolutionized modern medicine. Formerly deadly diseases became easily treatable and infections following childbirth or surgical procedures could be effectively medicated. However, this privileged situation could change drastically over the next years. Bacteria possess a remarkable capability to genetically adapt and become increasingly resistant to existing antibiotics. Only few new antibiotics have been developed in the last decades, which makes it increasingly difficult to keep up with the development of bacterial resistance. To reverse this trend and prevent a fallback into a pre-antibiotic era, we need to advance antibiotic discovery and minimize the development and spread of antibiotic resistance. In order to achieve this, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of antibiotics and the countermeasures that bacterial cells employ to acquire tolerance or resistance to antibiotic drugs. 

In my group, we are particularly interested in the bacterial cell envelope, which is not only the barrier that antibiotics need to cross to reach intracellular targets but also an important antibiotic target structure by itself as well as the location of many important stress response systems. We are investigating the role of the bacterial cell envelope as both antibiotic target and location of bacterial countermeasures against antibiotic stress.

Major responsibilities
Your PhD project will focus on novel promising antibiotic candidates that target cell envelope structures in Gram-negative and/or Gram-positive bacteria. You will analyze how these compounds attack bacterial cells using advanced cell biological methods, live cell imaging, fluorescence spectroscopy, in vitro assays, and combined -omics approaches. The position centers around microscopic methods, but will also include molecular cloning and biochemical techniques. Experience in one or more of these core methodologies is a merit. 

Your major responsibilities are to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing, both in Swedish and in English. The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 per cent of working hours.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of four years.

Qualifications
Candidates must hold (or be close to completion of) a Mater of Science or equivalent degree in a relevant field (Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or similar). Laboratory experience and good verbal and written English skills are mandatory. We are looking for a highly motivated and well-organized individual with good problem-solving skills and the ability to deliver high precision lab work. You should be able to work independently and develop your own project further. The project is of interdisciplinary and collaborative nature and we are seeking a person with a cooperative mindset and the ability to communicate results to interdisciplinary and international co-workers. Experience with microbiology, microscopy, membrane biology, and/or molecular cloning techniques are considered a plus.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in Swedish and English. If Swedish is not your native language, you should be able to teach in Swedish after two years. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.