Lunds universitet, MAX IV, Diffraction & Scattering

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

The project “AdaptoCell for MAX IV laboratory users”, funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF), aims to develop a microfluidic flow-cell platform, to enable the study of proteins at physiologically relevant conditions for three different beamlines with three different techniques, Balder (X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy), CoSAXS (Small Angle X-ray Scattering) and MicroMAX (serial crystallography). The AdaptoCell will be used to investigate, for example, in situ time dependent changes in the active site of enzymes, protein dynamics in response to stimuli or sample delivery for serial crystallography. The project team is based and coordinated from MAX IV, Lund University, with members and expert partners from other Swedish universities and research institutes. 

The AdaptoCell project began in 2019 and a prototype cell is already being developed for testing for XAS at Balder. Now we are looking for a postdoc to develop and deploy the AdaptoCell for X-ray scattering and diffraction techniques, specifically SAXS and serial crystallography (SSX) at the CoSAXS and MicroMAX beamlines. The CoSAXS beamline is in commissioning at the 3 GeV storage ring at the MAX IV Laboratory and is expected to go into user operation fall 2020. It is a state-of-the-art SAXS/WAXS beamline which will deliver high brilliance, large q-range SAXS measurements for many research areas including life sciences and soft matter, as well as developing coherent techniques like X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS). MicroMAX is a new beamline at MAX IV for protein crystallography aimed at accommodating single crystal data collections as well as serial crystallography with new sample delivery methods using a flexible experimental setup. The beamline will provide a 1 - 10 micron beam size and be able to perform time-resolved studies down to the microsecond regime. MicroMAX will start its user operation at the end of 2022.

Tasks:

The successful postdoc candidate will join the team at MAX IV and will work alongside the postdoc who, since 2019, has been developing the AdaptoCell for Balder users. You will be responsible for developing the AdaptoCell microfluidics platform for time-resolved SAXS/WAXS at CoSAXS with in-situ mixing of protein solutions and integration on the chip of additional techniques (e.g. UV-vis). You will also be responsible for developing a functional device for SSX for timed sample delivery of micro crystals ready for the MicroMAX beamline with initial testing being conducted at the operational BioMAX beamline.  

You will collaborate within an interdisciplinary project team at MAX IV, SciLife Lab at Uppsala University, Halmstad högskola and our expert partners involved in the project to achieve the pre-defined goals. This means that you will frequently take part and present the project work at both internal and external meetings, and will be responsible for the ongoing dissemination of the project outcomes to potential user groups within Sweden and further afield.  Travel for experiments within and outside Sweden may also be necessary. Some out of hours working will be necessary.

In this exciting project, you will develop a new protein sample delivery platform that can have far-reaching implications for expanding the application of X-ray techniques to structural biology, especially for the study of the dynamics through real time in situ applications. Therefore you should be highly motivated to learn about proteins, their structure and interactions (for example, variability in chemical composition, homogeneity and how these affect their delivery in microfluidic devices) as well as the requirements for X-ray scattering/diffraction experiments (different methods for time-resolved studies, need for minimising background from X-ray scattering of chip-material used, effects of radiation damage).

To summarize, this position offers a focused project within the cutting edge field of synchrotron sample delivery mechanisms at MAX IV, one of the most advanced synchrotrons in the world. There is the potential for high impact publications of project results.

Qualifications

PhD in a relevant field, (within physical sciences (chemistry, physics) or structural biology).

Essential requirements:

  • Practical (>1 year) experience of the use and setting up of microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip.
  • Knowledge of microfabrication techniques for microfluidic systems.
  • Knowledge of control (software/hardware) and interfacing of sample environment, for example, pumps, temperature controllers, valves.
  • Practical experience of X-ray scattering and/or diffraction.
  • Good communication skills and good command of written and spoken English.
  • Good planning and organization skills.
  • Ability to complete tasks autonomously and at your own initiative.

Additional requirements are considered assets:

  • Publications arising from the use of either small angle scattering, Macromolecular crystallography or SSX in your research field.
  • Basic protein work and knowledge of protein chemistry.
  • UV-vis (or other) spectroscopy experience.
  • Flow simulations.
  • Computer aided design experience (we use Solidworks).
  • 3D printing experience.
  • Experimental measurements at a large scale X-ray or neutron facility.
  • Planning and coordinating experimental measurements at a large scale facility.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team and interact with a diverse group of scientists and technical staff in a dynamic environment.

 

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the doctoral degree or equivalent is completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

This is a 2 year temporary employment.
First day of employment: as soon as possible

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment As agreed
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2020/734
Contact
  • Ann Terry, +46703264498
  • Kajsa Sigfridsson Clauss, +46733350724
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
Published 13.Mar.2020
Last application date 14.Apr.2020 11:59 PM CEST

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