项目介绍

2026年1月28日

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.

Doctoral position in Medical Science

Project title: Structural and functional analyses of mitochondrial biogenesis by cryo-EM

The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell biology is located at the Institute of Biomedicine at the Faculty of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. 

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   

Doctoral education in Medical Science comprises carrying out a scientific project and completing at least 30 credits of courses at third-cycle level. The doctoral student must also write a scientific compilation thesis or monograph corresponding to at least 120 credits. For more information about third-cycle studies at Sahlgrenska Academy, see https://www.gu.se/en/sahlgrenska-akademin/doctoral-studies

Project: Mitochondria convert chemical energy into ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. The complexes driving oxidative phosphorylation are a mosaic of proteins encoded by the nuclear and the mitochondrial DNA. Therefore, assembly of the respiratory chain and the ATPase requires not only expression and import of many nuclear encoded proteins but also synthesis of mitochondrially encoded proteins. Surprisingly little is known about mitochondrial translation. The main goal of this project is to unravel structurally and functionally how translation by mitochondrial ribosomes is connected to protein biogenesis and complex assembly. Specifically, we aim to determine structures of mitochondrial ribosomes bound to biogenesis factors, using single particle cryo-EM as the main method (Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 2019, 2025).

In recent years, we have identified interactors of the mitochondrial ribosomal tunnel exit and characterized their functions (JCB 2011; Mol. Cell. 2020, 2020, 2023; NAR 2025). By this, we revealed novel pathways for protein biogenesis, translational regulation and quality control, but many of the identified ribosome interactors are yet poorly understood but likely influence yet unknown aspects of mitochondrial biogenesis. Because oxidative phosphorylation is crucial for cellular energy metabolism, defects of mitochondrial gene expression result in severe human diseases. Hence, the information emerging from this study will be relevant for basic as well as for medical sciences. Our group employs a large variety of methods ranging from protein biochemistry and molecular biology, genetics in yeast and mammalian cells to high-resolution single particle cryo-EM. For more information, see our homepage: www.martinottlab.com

We are looking for a PhD student who is genuinely interested in basic molecular mechanisms. You should have experience in molecular analyses and profound knowledge in molecular biology, biochemistry, or structural biology, or a related field. Previous experiences with protein purification or structural methods are a merit. We value personal integrity as well as an interest and commitment to personal development. You should have a good ability to express yourself in English. You should also be able to work both independently and in a group.  

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.  As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % 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.    

Eligibility   

Doctoral education 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:    

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or  
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad. 

Specific entry requirements for this subject, according to the general syllabus, are:

having successfully completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies. 

Assessment criteria    

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies. The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for:

– specific knowledge and skills within the subject area and related research fields
– experience of scientific theory and relevant research methodology
– scientific analysis and presentation verified through an academic paper, degree project, scientific
journals or the like.   

Admission and employment   

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg. 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. 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.   

Location: Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell biology. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: as agreed.

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

Please note, doctoral studies at the Institute of Biomedicine requires physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, the Institute of Biomedicine 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 

For more information about the project please contact principal supervisor, 
Martin Ott, Professor, Institute of Biomedicine,
phone: +46 722-61 28 71, e-mail: martin.ott@gu.se 

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande    

Application   

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education 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.   

You must include the following, in pdf format

• Personal letter
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
• Proof of completion of English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies

If your degree is from a university outside of Sweden, make sure that you attach a diploma and full transcripts that makes assessing your degree easier.  

If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

For information on what you need to submit in order to fulfill the English language requirement see https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Applications must be received by: 2026-02-23

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/