Post doctoral fellow in biochemistry - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The position is connected to a project funded by the Swedish research council involving the development of experimental and computational methods to infer self-assembly pathways of proteins from time-resolved small angle scattering data. The candidate will be primarily stationed at Lund University (in the research group of Ingemar André) but scattering experiments will be carried out at the ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, in collaboration with Najet Mahmoudi. The project also involves a collaboration with European Spallation Source (ESS) ERIC on the development of methods to model time-resolved scattering data.

Work duties 

The post-doc will perform research using mainly small-angle neutron scattering, with a focus on studies of self-assembly pathways of complex protein assemblies. Time-resolved small angle neutron scattering (TR-SANS) will be used to develop a microscopic model of how higher order protein assemblies, such as virus capsids, associate to form complexes from simpler components. The overall goal of the research is to understand how structure and interactions of natural assemblies have evolved to encode fast and efficient self-assembly. Time-resolved small angle X-ray scattering (TR-SAXS) may also be used as a complementary/alternative technique during the project. Standard protein expression and purification techniques will be used to prepare samples for SANS/SAXS measurements. The post-doc will work with other team-members to develop a kinetic model of the assembly process and to test the computational methods developed in the project to analyze time resolved scattering data. The post-doc is also expected to participate in group activities and may participate in supervision of graduate and undergraduate students. The project will require longer stays at the ISIS facility to carry out the scattering experiments.

Qualification requirements

The candidate should have a PhD in biophysics, physical chemistry or related disciplines with previous experience of experimental work in radiation scattering (SANS, SAXS etc). Prior background in molecular science is required, while experience working with proteins is considered meriting. The candidate should be able to independently lead the experimental work in this project and interact smoothly and efficiently with the other members of the team with different backgrounds. As reporting in peer review journals is an essential part of the project, a strong publication record is required and the candidate must be fluent in English (written and spoken).

Specific experience with one or more of the following represents an advantage:

• Time-resolved scattering experiments
• Stopped flow experiments
• Experience in using software for analysis of data from neutron/X-ray scattering
• Protein expression and purification
• Studies of protein assembly
• Protein structure analysis