PhD Student position in Computational Bioinorganic Chemistry Department of Chem

A PhD student position in Computational Bioinorganic Chemistry is available in the group of Prof. Christo Z. Christov in the Department of Chemistry at Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI. The research will involve learning and applying computational chemistry and biochemistry methods to study transition metal–containing enzymes, with a focus on reaction mechanisms, dynamics, and ligand binding in reference to experimental structural, spectroscopic and biochemical data.

The project may also include method development and machine learning applications. The main focus will be on transition metal–containing enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation (histone- and DNA-demethylases), as well as other iron-containing enzymes such as the ethylene-forming enzyme.

• Learn and apply computational chemistry and biochemistry methods to study transition metal–containing enzymes
• Investigate reaction mechanisms, dynamics and ligand binding in reference to experimental data
• Contribute to method development and machine learning applications
• Apply multilevel molecular modelling methods such as QM/MM, QM and MD
• Focus on enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation (histone- and DNA-demethylases) and other iron-containing enzymes

• BSc in Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related discipline
• Strong interest in computational chemistry, biomolecular modelling and drug design with a focus on enzyme mechanisms and dynamics
• Experience with computational work, Linux, shell scripting and an interest in machine learning
• International applicants should meet English-language proficiency requirements (TOEFL or IELTS) if applicable

• The position is funded by the Department of Chemistry through allocations from the Graduate School as Graduate Teaching Assistants for up to 5 years with satisfactory progress to the degree
• Teaching undergraduate students is expected

Start date:

no later than August 2025.

• Interested applicants should contact Dr. Christov ASAP by e-mail at christov^mtu.edu (replace ^ with @) and send a current CV with a brief description of research interests and experience
• Additional program details are available at Michigan Technological University's Chemistry Graduate Program website