The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.
The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology conducts high-quality research and education in Chemical sciences and Molecular life sciences. Our research and education focus on a deep understanding of chemical and biological processes in cells and in the environment. We are responsible for postgraduate education in the subject area Natural Sciences with a focus on chemistry, biophysics, biology and educational science. In addition, the department hosts educational programs in molecular biology, genomics and systems biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry, as well as prescription education. The department is an international environment with interdisciplinary collaborations in both research and education and contributes strongly to the University of Gothenburg's top ranking in life science. We are located in central premises at Natrium, Medicinareberget, Gothenburg.
Doctoral student in Natural Sciences, specialising in Chemistry
Cancer relapse driven by chemotherapy resistance and metastasis remains one of the greatest challenges in modern oncology. This project aims to advance the development of safer, resistance-breaking cancer therapies through the design of novel targeted prodrugs for the treatment of solid tumors. The research focuses on bioresponsive drug release systems that enable selective activation within the tumor microenvironment while providing both resistance-breaking and migrastatic activity.
The successful candidate will join the research group of Philipp Klahn at the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology.
The project involves the rational design of targeted prodrugs supported by computational modeling, followed by their synthesis using semi-synthetic and total synthetic approaches. Compounds will be optimized through medicinal chemistry strategies and comprehensively characterized using modern analytical techniques. Their molecular mechanisms will be investigated through biochemical assays, and their therapeutic potential will be evaluated in cellular and in vivo cancer models in collaboration with national and international research partners.
General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages.
https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies
Duties as a doctoral student
The successful candidate will conduct independent research within the framework of the project while working closely with the research group and collaborating partners. The duties will include the design, synthesis, and optimization of targeted prodrugs using medicinal and synthetic chemistry approaches, as well as their characterization using modern analytical techniques. You will perform biochemical and cellular experiments to investigate molecular mechanisms of action and contribute to the biological evaluation of compounds in collaboration with national and international partners.
The doctoral studies also includes the analysis and interpretation of research data, presentation of results at group meetings, national and international conferences, and publication of findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The successful candidate is expected to actively participate in the research environment at the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology and complete the doctoral education by undertaking the required coursework and fulfilling the degree requirements in accordance with the University's regulations.
Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.
The work during the doctoral student period is to result in a written and defended doctoral thesis that complies with the rules for a thesis at the University of Gothenburg.
As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 per cent of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.
In addition to their scientific work, doctoral students are required to participate in courses, staff activities and group activities such as group meetings and literature seminars.
Eligibility
Doctoral studies requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.
The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:
- having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
- the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
- the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.
To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, according to the general syllabus, applicants must:
- have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a for the planned third-cycle education relevant subject area in the natural sciences, or
- have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in a for the planned third-cycle education relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or
- have completed a corresponding program of relevance to the planned third-cycle program, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.
For specific eligibility, applicants must also have a good command of spoken and written English. The benchmark is 550 points on the TOEFL test (or 213 points on the TOEFL-CBT, or 79 points on the TOEFL-iBT).
Assessment criteria
Selection among applicants who meet the basic and specific entry requirements is based on their ability to benefit from the doctoral education.
The following assessment criteria shall be applied when selecting applicants:
- merits from basic education
- merits from advanced level education, which are invoked within specific entry requirements
- the relevance of previous education to the planned doctoral education
- assessment of the applicant's ability to benefit from doctoral education
- where applicable, assessment of the applicant's ability to work in a research group
Required knowledge and experience:
- A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related discipline.
- A strong theoretical background in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry.
- Excellent understanding of modern analytical methods for the characterization of organic molecules.
- Basic knowledge of chemical biology, drug discovery, and cancer biology.
- Practical laboratory experience in synthetic organic chemistry acquired through wetlab-based Master's studies or equivalent research projects.
- Demonstrated experience in the design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of small organic molecules.
- Experience with modern analytical techniques for compound characterization, including NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and chromatographic methods.
- Experience in planning, documenting, and independently conducting experimental research.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.
- Excellent ability to communicate scientific results in spoken and written English.
Desirable knowledge and experience:
- Knowledge of cancer biology, particularly mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance, metastasis, and targeted cancer therapies.
- Experience in semi-synthetic natural product derivatization
- Experience in the synthesis of bioresponsive prodrugs or targeted drug delivery systems.
- Experience with biochemical or cell-based assays for evaluating the activity of small molecules or prodrugs.
- Experience working in interdisciplinary research projects integrating synthetic chemistry with biochemical and biological evaluation.
- Experience contributing to collaborative research projects involving national and international partners.
- Ability to communicate in Swedish, both orally and in writing, is considered meritorious, particularly with regard to future teaching activities.
The application documents may be supplemented with interviews and references. The selection must not be made in a way that particularly favours applicants who have previously done project work or held project employment at the supervisor's department.
Admission to doctoral studies
Decisions on admission to doctoral studies are made by the Head of Department and cannot be appealed.
Employment as a doctoral student
Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg to finance your doctoral studies.
Type of employment: Fixed-term employment in accordance with Regulation SFS 1993:100, four years
Scope of employment: Full time [100 %]
Location: Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Gothenburg
Start date: By agreement
The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.
The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.
Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time. However, at the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, the general rule is that employment as a doctoral student may be extended for a maximum of one year at a time, provided that progress is being made in the doctoral studies.
A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.
Please note, doctoral studies at the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding the doctoral student position, please feel free to contact Philipp Klahn, [email protected], +46 76 618 3914
Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:
https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives
Application
You can apply to be admitted to doctoral studies via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.
The application must be written in English and include:
- CV with description of educational background.
- Thesis or equivalent independent work.
- Proof of advanced level degree or completed courses, see eligibility requirements above. Proof must be translated into English if it is in a language other than Swedish or English. In your application, provide a contact (telephone number or email) for the issuing educational institution that can verify your degree.
- Certificate of valid TOEFL or TOEFL-CBT or TOEFL-iBT test.
- Two references (name, email address, telephone number, relationship)
All documents must be in PDF format and named in a way that clearly shows their content.
Applications must be received by: 2026-07-22
Information for International Applicants
Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/
The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations. Salaries are set individually at the University. In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed. In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.
