Note: the application process for this position closed in April 2025.

In brief: We have a PhD position available in our group, ideally to start in the autumn of 2025. Email Lauren with questions. Full details below.

Scientific goals: This doctoral research project focuses on the discovery, characterisation, engineering, and application of carbohydrate-active enzymes of microbial origin. We aim to explore the diversity of enzymes encoded by industrial and environmental microbes. Our goal is to understand their activities and stability, to explore their application in industrial bioprocesses. This fundamental research project will involve molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, and enzyme engineering. In addition, structural analysis of carbohydrates will be required. There is scope for creativity in this project, which can touch on diverse bioprocesses related to food, fuel, materials, and waste management. You will work closely with researchers at the Division of Glycoscience, the Stockholm CAZyme Laboratory, Chalmers University (co-supervisor will be Assoc Prof Johan Larsbrink), industrial partners in Sweden, and international collaborators.

Where we work: KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm is one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers, and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. The Division of Glycoscience is a multi-disciplinary department focussed on solving environmental and industrial challenges relating to sustainable production and usage of renewable natural resources, as well as advancing fundamental knowledge of complex carbohydrates.

The broader context: This project is supported by a grant the Swedish Research Council Vetenskapsrådet and builds on recent work in our group looking at the stabilisation of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) by non-catalytic appended accessory domains. In recent years we have generated much fundamental knowledge that now needs to be synthesised in a broad study to test the activity and stability of a large number of enzymes, to test our hypotheses. Our hope is to come to a sound understanding of inter-domain interactions and stabilising effects in order to design new molecular biology tools for enzyme stabilisation. As stable biocatalysts are needed in a range of different industries, this can have relevance for a number of aspects of the sustainable bioeconomy. You will join new and existing collaborations with (inter)national groups and we will together plan research visits

Education and skills development: Within the experimental work, you will gain or deepen skills in molecular biology, enzyme characterisation, carbohydrate chemistry, and protein engineering. Alongside your research, you will take doctoral courses at KTH and other Swedish universities, including online learning, lectures, and short lab projects. In addition, you will receive formal training in scientific writing and data visualisation. As part of your research, we will help you to write funding proposals to access additional financial support for travel and experimentation, giving you an even broader range of experience in science communication. I will also encourage you to write semi-regular pieces for this blog and to use other online channels to communicate with the public about your research.

Responsibilities as a PhD student: Your primary responsibility will of course be to advance the research project and to complete sufficient doctoral-level courses to earn the 60 credits you need to graduate. Your supervisors will help you to make sure you achieve these goals on time. In addition, you will spend up to 10 % of your time on Division/Departmental duties such as being responsible for a piece of equipment in the lab. Finally, you will take part in teaching younger students. The details of teaching are decided once the PhD has begun and the amount of teaching you do will be balanced against your other roles, but typically you will do some combination of lab teaching in a course for 1 or 2 years, supervising 1 or 2 MSc thesis students, and supervising 1 or 2 groups of BSc thesis students.

Eligibility for the position: To be eligible for this position, you should have a Master of Science or Engineering degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject area such as biotechnology. You should have completed a practical research-based (wet lab) thesis project. Documented proof of experience in areas such as molecular biology, biochemistry, and enzyme characterisation is appreciated but not necessarily required. Please email Lauren (find my email address at my KTH profile page) if you have queries about your eligibility for the role.

How to apply: You can find further specific details about this position on the official advert, available at this link: apply here. Please note that applications can only be considered if they are made through the KTH application portal, linked at the bottom of the advert. Informal applications made by email will not be considered. However, you are welcome to email Lauren if you have questions or are curious about this position.