PhD Student in Chemistry

Position: PhD student in Analytical Chemistry within High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Institution: Stockholm University, Department of Chemistry

Location: Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Employment type: Temporary, full-time (100% FTE)

Salary: Fixed salary

Number of positions: 1

Reference number: SU FV-0863-26

About the Department of Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry, with more than 200 employees, is one of the largest departments at Stockholm University. Research spans all areas of chemistry, including analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, inorganic and structural chemistry, and organic chemistry. Projects range from theoretical to experimental, from basic research to applied work, often focusing on sustainable chemistry and advanced analytical methods of chemicals and materials.

The department has a well-developed research infrastructure with state-of-the-art equipment and qualified support from staff scientists.

The department hosts a Bachelor's degree programme in chemistry and three Master's programmes: analytical chemistry, sustainable chemistry, and organic chemistry. PhD programmes are conducted in five areas: analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry.

More information: Department of Chemistry

Project description

Project title: Pinpointing toxic chemicals from mass spectrometric data with supervised and unsupervised machine learning

Supervisors: Prof. Anneli Kruve (main supervisor); Prof. Jonathan W. Martin (co-supervisor)

This project aims to discover toxic and structurally novel chemicals in high-resolution mass spectrometric (HRMS) data used for non-target analysis. It will develop a combination of supervised and unsupervised machine learning strategies to identify chemicals with high toxicity. Different clustering, encoding, and regression techniques will be used and combined. The project will address research challenges in handling toxicity data, multidimensional HRMS data, and decoding structure-relevant information from spectral data. Complementary chromatographic methods for detecting highly polar and highly volatile chemicals will also be developed.

The ideal applicant is proactive, has a problem-solving mindset, and is motivated to conduct interdisciplinary research at the interface of toxicology, machine learning, and mass spectrometry. Candidates with experience in toxicology, machine learning, or handling HRMS data are encouraged to apply.

Qualification requirements

General entry requirements:

• Completed a second-cycle degree, or equivalent knowledge (at least 240 higher education credits, including 60 credits at second-cycle level).

Specific entry requirements (Analytical Chemistry):

• Completed at least 90 credits in undergraduate chemistry.
• Successfully completed an advanced-level course in analytical chemistry (≥15 credits).
• Completed an independent project at advanced level (≥30 credits).

Selection criteria

Selection will be based on the applicant’s capacity to benefit from the training, assessed by:

• Documented knowledge in a relevant field of research
• Analytical and creative thinking
• Initiative and independence
• Ability to collaborate
• Written and oral proficiency in English

Admission Regulations: Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University

About the employment

• Fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100).
• Duration corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years.
• Employment may include up to 20% work with education, research, or administration.
• Employment is initially for one year and may be renewed for up to two years at a time.
• Stockholm University is committed to equal opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination.

Contact

• Prof. Anneli Kruve (PI): anneli.kruve@su.se
• Prof. Niklas Hedin (Head of Department): niklas.hedin@su.se

Union representatives:

• ST/OFR: st@st.su.se
• Saco-S: saco@saco.su.se
• Seko: sekodirekt@seko.se

Application

Apply via Stockholm University’s recruitment system. Attach a personal letter, CV, and required documents. Ensure the application is complete and submitted before the deadline.

Instructions: How to apply for a position

Published: 17 Mar 2026
Application deadline: 22 Apr 2026

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com