PhD Position in Computer Science / Computational Chemistry

Application deadline: 5 June 2024 at 23.59 hours local Danish time.
We have an opening for a PhD candidate in the TACsy (Training Alliance for Computational Systems Chemistry) Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Joint Doctoral Network. This network consists of fifteen (15) highly interlinked PhD projects, of which this particular call is for a position with a focus on theory for Computational Systems Chemistry. The application deadline is 5 June,2024. The anticipated start date is as soon as possible.

We are seeking an excellent and highly motivated individual with an MSc degree in computer science, computational chemistry, or a related subject. The ideal candidate has familiarity with one or more of the following areas: algorithmics, graph theory, graph transformation, algorithm engineering, machine learning. Proven competences in programming and ease with formal thinking are a necessity.

The general goal of the TACsy project is to expand and apply the consortium’s existing methods and computational techniques, which are based on modeling reaction networks as graph transformations, thereby extending our abilities to reason about biochemical systems.

One potential focus area of the PhD project is the application of mathematical techniques to the modelling of atom tracking in chemistry. Atom tracking is used to understand the underlying reactions and interactions of chemical or biological systems, usually by using isotopic labelling methods. In a typical isotopic labelling experiment, one or several atoms of some molecule of the chemical system under examination are replaced by an isotopic equivalent. These compounds are then introduced to the system, and the resulting product compounds are examined, e.g. by mass spectrometry. From a theoretical perspective, developing a formal framework for tracking atoms through reactions is an important step towards understanding the possible behaviours of a chemical or biological system.

This PhD project is a joint degree between two of the academic partners of TACsy (see list below). Exactly which two partners will depend on the details of the project, and will be worked out in cooperation with the applicant. Additionally, the student will have a three months internship at BASF SE (Germany).

The TACsy consortium encompasses 11 partners across six countries in Europe and North America, including both academic institutions and industrial partners. The consortium consists of world-class scientists with competences spanning chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, and machine learning. All fifteen doctoral candidates will work with two research groups, and will obtain a degree from both host institutions, and complete research stays either at world-leading industry partners or at prestigious non-European academic partners:

• University of Southern Denmark (DK)
• University of Vienna (AT)
• Leipzig University (DE)
• Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena (DE)
• TU Vienna (AT)
• The University of Sheffield (UK)
• European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
• BASF SE (DE)
• Fluigent SA (FR)
• Thermo Fisher Scientific GMBH (DE)
• Harvard Medical School (US).

The candidates will all be part of a strong joint PhD training programme, with a focus on career development, application writing, communication skills, and community building through scientific summer schools.

All candidates will be expected to:

• Have potential for conducting outstanding research, as demonstrated by scientific accomplishments (in particular quality of thesis, but also publications, code repositories, conference presentations, outreach activities, etc.).
• Be interested in working in a multidisciplinary and international research environment.
• Have excellent communication skills in English, verbally as well as in scientific writing.
• Be willing to undertake international research stays, internships, and travels.

See details about the network as a whole, its scientific content, and the application and selection process here.

Salary, working conditions, application process, etc.
All positions are fully funded, with very competitive salaries. More information on funding from the MSCA programme can be found here (beginning on page 78). Please note that a country correction coefficient (page 109) applies to the living allowance in order to ensure equal treatment and purchasing power parity for all researchers. Salary rules apply to the doctoral candidates hosted in the European Union and will change depending on the host institution.

The TACsy project wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background. We are searching for a diverse group of candidates with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisations and to have the same career opportunities. The position of working hours is flexible in order to accommodate individual needs and allow for the best possible work-life balance for each candidate.

Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three years. Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the scholarship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three-year period. Additional funding may be possible, depending on the local supervisor and in accordance with the regular PhD time in the country of origin.

Applications must be in English and must include the following:

• A research proposal/description of your approach to the project in question (max one page excluding references).
• A letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project (max. two pages).
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information of two or three references.
• Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes/grades.
• At least two signed reference letters. Should your referees wish to send their letters directly to us, please have them sent to [email protected] mentioning your name and the title of the position in the subject line. And please note that these also need to reach us before the deadline.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.

Details on the selection process can be found here. Please note that the recruitment team reserves the right to conduct a second interview. Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Please note that there are two limitations to apply for this programme, as specified in the MSCA regulations. Applicants must:

• Not be in possession of a PhD degree at the date of recruitment.
• Meet the Marie-Curie mobility rule (see pages 81-82 here). In TACsy, this means the applicants are not eligible for a specific position if it is true for both host institutions of the position that the applicant for more than 12 of the last 36 months have resided or performed a main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of that host institution.

The position is subject to the entry into force of grant agreement no 101072930 by and between the European Research Executive Agency and University of Southern Denmark and thereby funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme.

Contact Information
For further information please contact Professor Daniel Merkle, e-mail: [email protected].

The successful applicant will, if employed at SDU, be employed in accordance with the agreement on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

The successful candidate will, if employed at SDU, be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

Further information about the PhD-study at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) can be found at the homepage of the University.

Further information for international applicants considering applying for a job at SDU. Please take a look at the webpage from the International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU.

Placering: Odense, Denmark