PhD Position in Bioinformatics at Stockholm University / SciLifeLab, Sweden

Summary

Stockholm University and the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) are seeking a motivated Doctoral Student (PhD Candidate) in Bioinformatics to join the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (DBB). The selected candidate will work within the Elofsson Group, leveraging high-quality protein structure models (such as AlphaFold) and deep learning frameworks to investigate protein evolution, structural divergence, and domain architecture across the tree of life.

Designation

• PhD Student / Doctoral Researcher (Doktorand i bioinformatik)

Key Information Table

Research Area

• Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
• Protein Structural Evolution & Phylogenetics
• Machine Learning / Deep Learning for Structural Biology
• Comparative Genomics & Multi-Domain Protein Architecture

Location

• Arrhenius Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden (in collaboration with SciLifeLab).

Eligibility / Qualification

1. General Eligibility

• A degree at the advanced level (Master’s degree) OR completion of at least 240 ECTS credits (with a minimum of 60 ECTS at the advanced level), or equivalent qualifications gained in Sweden or abroad.

2. Specific Eligibility for Doctoral Studies in Bioinformatics

• At least 90 ECTS credits at the undergraduate level in either:
  • (a) Chemistry / Molecular Biology / Biotechnology, or
  • (b) Computer Science / Mathematics / Physics.
• An independent degree project / thesis of at least 30 ECTS credits.
• Advanced-level coursework in molecular life sciences, computer science, mathematics, physics, and/or bioinformatics to reach a total of at least 60 ECTS credits at the advanced level.

3. Selection Criteria

• Strong background and familiarity with bioinformatics theory and computational methods.
• High analytical, creative, and independent problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English (and/or Swedish).
• Academic performance (transcripts, grades in advanced courses, quality of Master’s thesis) and strong letters of recommendation.

Scholarship / Position Description

• Duration & Terms: Full-time doctoral employment in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen). Initial appointment is for 1 year, renewable up to a maximum of 4 years of full-time doctoral studies. Teaching and departmental duties can account for up to 20% of total working hours.
• Project Scope:
  • Quantifying structural divergence within protein domains across evolutionary distances using deep-learning-based structural representations and similarity metrics.
  • Characterizing the emergence of novel domain architectures and identifying the evolutionary mechanisms and structural constraints shaping multi-domain proteins.
  • Investigating lineage-specific expansion patterns, including the roles of disordered regions, linker sequences, and repetitive expansions.
  • Building a comprehensive structural framework to map evolutionary mechanisms across the tree of life.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official Stockholm University Varbi Application Portal.
2. Click “Logga in och sök jobbet” (Log in and apply).
3. Upload the following documents:
   • Cover Letter / Personal Statement explaining your motivation and research interests.
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing education, work experience, publications, and skills.
   • Transcripts and Degree Certificates (Bachelor’s and Master’s level).
   • Master’s Thesis (or copy of your independent research project).
   • Letters of Recommendation and contact information for 2–3 academic references.

Last Date for Apply

• August 31, 2026

Link