PhD Student Positions at Stockholm University

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PhD student in Organic Chemistry (B)

The Department of Organic Chemistry has an extensive research program, covering many areas of experimental and theoretical chemistry. Method development involving catalysis, sustainable chemistry, asymmetric synthesis, carbohydrate chemistry and enzyme chemistry are central themes.

Subject area
Title: Better drugs through ionic liquids – development and synthesis of ionic liquids as solvents and crystallization media for active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Efficient drugs for the treatment of diseases are a critical need for society. A critical step in drug development is obtaining the optimal solid form of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). This is a challenge because most active pharmaceutical ingredients are able to adopt different solid forms (polymorphs). Thus, it is imperative to develop new crystallization methods. In this, ionic liquids (ILs, room temperature molten salts) can open completely new opportunities in drug development. In the Knut & Alice Wallenberg funded project “Access to potent medical drugs through polymorph-specific crystallization enabled by ionic liquids” the PhD project will focus on the development and synthesis of ionic liquids as crystallization media for active pharmaceutical ingredients. The candidate will work in collaboration ith organic chemists, material chemists, crystallographers, and theoretical chemists at SU.

The announced position is in Prof. Martín-Matute research group, which focuses on the development of new and efficient processes to make C-C and C-Heteroatom bonds using a variety of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. The project will be in close collaboration with the group of Prof. Mudring, also at SU.

Qualification requirements
In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements, the applicant must have a MSc thesis (at least 30 ECT) or equivalent (thesis at advanced level) in the research area of organic chemistry.

The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity: the documented knowledge of the candidate in the relevant field of research (see research field above), written and oral proficiency in English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence. The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, the quality of the degree project, references, relevant experience, interviews, and the candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position.

Terms of employment
Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.
The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.
Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.
Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Application
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.
Please include the following information with your application
Your contact details and personal data
Your highest degree
Your language skills
Contact details for 2–3 references
and, in addition, please include the following documents

CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of degree projects/theses
Cover letter (no more than 3 pages) where you describe:
– why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
– why and how you wish to complete the project
– what makes you suitable for the project in question
Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
Degree projects/theses (no more than 3 files).