**The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics** is mainly located with the other Departments of Chemistry and Life Sciences in the Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, which are situated in the northern part of the University Campus at Frescati. Some 270 people of which about 60 are PhD students work at the Department, engaged in internationally highly recognised research covering a broad range of subjects. More information about us, please visit: the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
## **Project description**
Your studies in Biochemistry will be in the project "Assembly, structure and function of respiratory complexes and supercomplexes in bacteria".
Cellular respiration is the mitochondrial process that reduces oxygen to water using electrons from foodstuff, and conserves the energy released in the form of a proton gradient across a membrane. We are interested in how the membrane-bound proteins constituting the respiratory chain are assembled, what complexes are formed in the membranes and what their mechanism of action is. We primarily use bacterial model systems, both those that are similar to the mitochondrial (‘our’) chains and those that are potential drug (antibiotics) targets in pathogenic bacteria. In this project specifically, we are investigating I) the cytochrome *bd* oxidases, an enzyme family that is specific to prokaryotes, and hence overall good targets for new antibiotics and II) the sole terminal oxidase in *Helicobacter pylori*, an ulcer and cancer-causing stomach pathogen*.* We use a broad spectrum of biochemical, biophysical (including cryo-EM) techniques in order to elucidate both the structural and functional diversity of these respiratory enzymes.
## **Qualification requirements**
In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the time the applicant is admitted to the PhD program at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
You meet **general entry requirements** if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or 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.
**Specific entry requirements** **–**for acceptance in the Biochemistry program the applicant must have passed courses within the first and second cycles of at least 120 credits in Biochemistry/Life Science, including at least 15 credits Biochemistry at the second cycle level and a Degree Project (thesis) also in Biochemistry of 30 credits.
## **Selection**
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to successfully complete the program. Important criteria when assessing this capacity are; documented knowledge and skill in the field of the thesis project, 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.
Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.
## **About the employment**
We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).
A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
## **Contact**
For more information, please contact Professor Pia Ädelroth, pia.adelroth@dbb.su.se.
General information about the PhD programs can be given by the Director of Doctoral Studies, Andreas Barth, andreas.barth@dbb.su.se.
## **Application**
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.
The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.
Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.
Anställningsform: tidsbegränsad anställning | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 1 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100 % | Ort: Stockholm | Län: Stockholms län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: SU FV-0873-26 | Facklig företrädare: ST/OFR ST/OFR st@st.su.se, ST/OFR ST/OFR st@st.su.se, Saco-S Saco-S saco@saco.su.se, Saco-S Saco-S saco@saco.su.se, Seko Seko sekodirekt@seko.se, Seko Seko sekodirekt@seko.se, | Publicerat: 2026-04-01 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2026-04-22
