Doctoral student in Biophysics in electric field and pH induced conformational changes in membrane protein channels

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Doctoral position in Biophysics in electric field and pH induced conformational changes in membrane protein channels.

Research and graduate education at the department of chemistry and molecular biology comprises a wide scientific field from the atomic and molecular levels all the way through cells to intact organisms. Much of the phenomena studied here impact on our natural environment and living systems. We participate in undergraduate programs in chemistry, molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, biology, marine sciences, and pharmacy.

Richard Neutze has a strong track record in using state-of-the-art X-ray diffraction and X-ray scattering methods to probe conformational changes in integral membrane proteins. Membrane protein channels facilitate the movement of selected molecules across a biological membrane. This process is frequently controlled by gating, whereby a channel opens or closes in response to a chemical or physical signal such as a change in pH, the binding of a ligand, or a change in voltage. Channels toggle between open and closed states due to protein conformational changes. This PhD position will aim to utilize time-resolved X-ray diffraction and time-resolved X-ray solution scattering (TR-XSS) to study structural changes in eukaryotic water channels (yeast and spinach aquaporins) and a voltage dependent mitochondrial anion channel. The PhD student will produce and purify protein for time-resolved X-ray scattering studies of these targets, and crystallize these targets for time-resolved X-ray diffraction studies. Time-resolved structural studies will utilize photocaged protons to jump the pH from near neutral to acidic conditions after exposure to a UV laser pulse; and time-resolved X-ray diffraction studies will apply very high electric fields across membrane protein crystals to induce conformational changes. This research will contribute to expanding the field of time-resolved structural biology beyond the study of naturally light-sensitive systems. Contingency may be provided by time-resolved X-ray diffraction studies of photosynthetic reaction centers.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university’s doctoral student pages.

https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Duties 

The PhD student will apply state of the art methods in time-resolved X-ray diffraction and time-resolved X-ray scattering to the study of structural changes in integral membrane proteins. This work will study gated aquaporins and gated mitochondrial channels, and may involve studies of photosynthetic reaction centers as contingency. As such the tasks will involve:

• Growth and induction of cells for the production of integral membrane protein targets.
• Removal of integral membrane proteins from cell membranes, purification and crystallization of these proteins.
• Time-resolved X-ray diffraction studies of eukaryotic aquaporins when exposed to very high electric fields.
• Time-resolved X-ray scattering of pH sensitive aquaporins and voltage gated channels.
• Potentially time-resolved X-ray diffraction of photosynthetic reaction centers as contingency.
• Analysis of time-resolved X-ray diffraction data and time-resolved X-ray scattering data so as to understand membrane protein conformational changes.

During their studies, the PhD student will be trained in advanced methods in structural biology and protein structural dynamics.

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.

Eligibility 

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, applicants must:
(i) have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or (ii) have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or (iii) have completed a corresponding program of relevance to the planned third-cycle program, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.

*Relevant for the planned third-cycle education

The specific entry requirements also include an acceptable command of spoken and written English. Guidelines for assessing English proficiency may include a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL test (or 213 on the TOEFL-CBT, or 79 on the TOEFL-iBT).

Assessment criteria 

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.

The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for:

Background and track record as a Master level student in natural science.

Ability to take initiatives and a willingness to try new things.

Personal motivation and interest in science.

Recommendations from staff who have worked with the applicant.

Candidates will be short-listed and a few will be invited for interviews in Gothenburg.

Admission and employment 

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.

Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, four years full time

Extent: 100 %

Location: Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Gothenburg

First day of employment: As soon as possible based on agreement
The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

Please note, doctoral studies at The Department of Chemistry and Molecularbiology require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, The Department of Chemistry and Molecularbiology has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Contact information

Richard Neutze: richard.neutze@gu.se

Kristina Hedfalk: kristina.hedfalk@gu.se

Giorgia Ortolani: giorgia.ortolani@gu.se   

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

You must include the following, in PDF format

• Personal letter
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
• Proof of completion of  English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies
• Two references (name, e-mail, telephone number, relation)

If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

Applications must be received by: 2025-07-10

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.