Doctoral Student In Ai - driven Protein Design

Doctoral Student In Ai-driven Protein Design

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 doctoral student will work in a team at the Center for Molecular Protein Science (CMPS), department of chemistry at Lund University. The project team collects experts on protein design, semiconductor physics, artificial intelligence and biophysical chemistry. The doctoral student will work together with a team of 2-3 PhD students, and 2-3 postdoctoral researchers. The doctoral student will integrate into a research group with both computational and experimental profile, with research in protein design, structure prediction, codon usage analysis, and machine learning.

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.

Subject And Project Description

The doctoral student will join a project focused on developing protein-based electronic components, with the ultimate goal of enabling in-cell production of semiconductor components. This specific postdoctoral project aims to develop methods for designing 2D protein lattices that serve as scaffolds for attaching other protein assemblies with precise geometry, thereby creating molecular structures capable of transferring electrons and interacting with light. Such assemblies also have applications in biomedicine, and efforts will also be made to develop applications in this area. The primary objective is to develop computational methods, using deep learning–based protein design, for the successful design of 2D lattices. These methods will then be applied to generate designs targeted for experimental evaluation.

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. The work duties include:

• You will develop methods for AI-driven protein design
• You will produce design sequences targeted for experimental testing
• You will collaborate with a PhD student mainly responsible for experimental testing
• If you are interest, some experimental testing may be carried out
• You will participating in project meetings and summarize results
• You will keep track of developments in the protein design field
• The duties also include include participation in teaching and other departmental work (however, a maximum of 20% of working hours).

Qualifications

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

Admission requirements:

• 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.

Specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in biochemistry:

• A minimum of 120 credits are to derive from chemistry courses, including basic courses in biochemistry or cell biology
• At least 30 credits from a second-cycle degree project in the chosen specialisation or a closely related specialisation.
• In certain cases, the requirement for chemistry courses may be replaced by other subjects. The specific entry requirement may also have been obtained through other equivalent education, which is assessed in each individual case.

Additional requirements:

• Master's level studies in a program with good preparation for research and application of bioinformatical approaches and machine learning to sequences and molecules. This can be a program in bioinformatics, computational biology, machine learning, molecular biotechnology, computational chemistry, molecular physics, computer science.
• Strong computational skills with considerable experience with programming with python
• Competence to utilize AI and machine-learning tools in molecular science.
• A study background including courses devoted to molecular subjects, including protein structure
• The applicant should also have good analytical skills (problem solving), be initiative-taking, demonstrate ability to cooperate, be persistent.
• Knowledge required (please be specific as it is easier to measure)
• Good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Very good knowledge of English, spoken and written

Other qualifications:

• Experience of AI-driven protein design is highly meritous.
• Experience in protein expression and purification is meritous.
• Experience of developing deep learning models for molecular studies, in particular in protein science, is highly meritous

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We Offer

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

About The Employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting 2026-08-01 or as agreed. Third cycle studies 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 §§.

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.
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application.