Lunds universitet, Lunds Tekniska Högskola, Kemiska institutionen

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.

Post-doctoral position in oat molecular biology with focus on arabinoxylans 

ScanOats is a newly established industrial research center in collaboration between the academy and the industry. We conduct basic and applied research on oats and oat-based products. Oat is an important crop both for the Swedish agriculture and for the food chain. ScanOats is unique in the sense that we cover the entire chain from basic research, genome sequencing, cultivar development, field testing, mild processing and fractionation, and clinical health trials. 

Background
The project will focus on arabinoxylan fibres in oat. Various assays to quantify arabinoxylan will be developed, our available oat genome sequence will be analyses for arabinoxylan biosynthesis and other related genes and our mutagenized oat population will be screened for lines with modified arabinoxylan levels in the grain. Specific mutations in lines with modified arabinoxylan levels will be genetically mapped, mutaed lines with especially high arabinoxylan levels will be the whole genome sequenced and the molecular mechanisms behind arabinoxylan biosynthesis will be elucidated. High arabinoxylan oat varieties will be an applied result of this project.

The work will be conducted in collaboration with researchers within the other work packages of ScanOats, with CropTailor and with ScanOats industrial partners Lantmännen, Oatly and Swedish Oat Fibre. 

Work duties
The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours, as well as supervision of degree projects and doctoral students. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The candidate is expected to contribute to applying for further external research grants. 

Qualification requirements
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. 

Additional requirements:

  • Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
  • A solid background in plant biochemistry.  

Assessment criteria and other qualifications
This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.
Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject. 

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

  • A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
  • Teaching skills.  

Additional assessment criteria:

  • Good knowledge in molecular biology, plant physiology and genetics.
  • Practical experience in bioinformatics.
  • Previous experience in working with cereal fibers, especially oat fibres. 

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development. 

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008. 

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more: http://www.lth.se/index.php?id=71223 

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 2019-01-07
Salary Monthly
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2018/3443
Contact
  • Olof Olsson, e-post: olof.olsson@tbiokem.lth.se, +46 (0)703 155363
Union representative
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64, kansli@saco-s.lu.se
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62, st@st.lu.se
Published 30.Oct.2018
Last application date 30.Nov.2018 11:59 PM CET

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