PhD in Biophysical Chemistry: Membrane Protein Dynamics by Time-Resolved X-ray Scattering (Umeå and ESRF)
Job Description
Umeå University’s Department of Chemistry is offering a PhD in biophysical chemistry run jointly with the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. The student spends three years at the ESRF’s ID09 beamline in France and one year in Umeå, studying how two medically important membrane proteins, the zinc-transporting ATPase SsZntA and the dopamine D2 receptor, change shape as they work, using time-resolved X-ray solution scattering with laser-triggered caged compounds.
At a glance
- Position: Doctoral student (1 post), 48 months: 3 years at ESRF, France, then 1 year in Umeå
- Where: Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, and ESRF ID09 beamline
- Start: 1 December 2026 or by agreement
- Apply by: 15 October 2026, on the ESRF’s website as the advert directs
- Apply: 15 October 2026
About the time-resolved X-ray PhD
- Produce membrane proteins using molecular biology techniques
- Trigger ATP- and ligand-driven reactions with caged compounds and follow structural changes from milliseconds to seconds
- Develop improved TR-XSS workflows that extend the time range and use less sample
- Work at a cutting-edge synchrotron beamline and in postgraduate courses
PhD applicants: browse our Find a supervisor directory to see who works in your area.
What Umeå University is looking for
- A second-cycle degree, or 240 ECTS credits with 60 at second-cycle level, or equivalent
- At least 90 ECTS credits in chemistry or a directly relevant subject, including 15 at second-cycle level
- Good English and a strong interest in biophysics, biochemistry or structural biology
- Not resident or mainly active in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years before 15 October 2026 (Marie Skłodowska-Curie mobility rule)
Nice to have
- Protein production and purification
- Python programming
- Biophysical characterisation of biological systems
Pay and location
During the first three years the student is employed by and based at the ESRF in France, under its terms; the advert refers to the ESRF for those details. The final year is in Umeå.
How to apply
Apply through the official Umeå University page. The closing date is 15 October 2026.
See all our PhD positions, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: Umeå University
Official advertisement: umu.varbi.com
How to prepare for this application
- Apply in the right place: the advert says applications go through the ESRF's website by 15 October.
- Check the mobility rule: recent residence in France for over a year rules you out.
- Protein skills: membrane protein expression or purification experience is a strong merit.
- Scattering: read up on SAXS/WAXS and time-resolved methods.
- Deadline: 15 October 2026.
About Umeå University
Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest higher education institutions. The CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, recognised with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was discovered there.
