Post-doctoral position in biophysics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The research at the division of Solid State Physics is focused around different aspects of semiconductor physics, ranging from materials science to quantum physics, to different applications. The division also leads NanoLund, the major interdisciplinary research environment within nanoscience and nanotechnology at Lund University. Lund Nano Lab is a central key facility for fabrication of material and devices on the nanoscale. The division is also heavily involved in the undergraduate education, especially within the “Engineering Nanoscience” program.

During the last decade, our research within the area of one-dimensional semiconductor structures, so called nanowires, has been at the international forefront. In particular, our research in bio-nanoscience has played a key role in establishing the field of using nanowires for probing cells and steering cell behavior.

More information can be found at: www.ftf.lth.se, www.nano.lu.se, https://prinz.ftf.lth.se   and

https://www.ludc.lu.se/research-units/epigenetics-and-diabetes

Recent advances in genetics, such as whole genome analysis, allow for linking variations in the genetic code to pathogenesis of complex diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, results show that genetics only accounts for less than 20% of the estimated heritability of T2D. Therefore, other factors should be considered as disease causing mechanisms. Epigenetics, such as DNA methylation, denominates changes in the genome other than direct changes in the genetic code. These changes can occur due to environmental factors but can become stable and transmitted to daughter cells. Recent research by our groups demonstrates that epigenetics play a key role in T2D pathogenesis. For instance, we have identified epigenetic alterations in human pancreatic islets, skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue from cases with T2D versus non-diabetic controls, and one could thereby imagine that targeting the epigenome could improve disease state. However, human cells cannot readily be transfected with constructs for correcting the epigenome. Using lipofection and electroporation results in low transfection efficiencies and low cell viability; viral vectors have a limit in cargo size. Using nanotubes for cell transfection is expected to yield better transfection efficiencies, with higher cell survival rates. Using nanotubes is also expected to enable the delivery of large molecules to the cytosol.

Subject description Development and use of nanotubes for transfecting human cells with constructs for correcting the epigenome, with applications in type-2 diabetes.

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. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The postdoctoral fellow is expected to interact with the master students and the PhD students in the research group and contribute to meetings and seminars.

The postdoc will, during the first year, develop fabrication protocols of nanotubes at the Lund Nano Lab, as well as transfection protocols for stem cells using e.g. electrical fields for biomolecule delivery. During the second year, the postdoc will work in collaboration with the group of Prof. Charlotte Ling at the Lund University Diabetes Center on transfecting human cells with constructs for correcting the epigenome.

Atomic layer deposition, reactive ion etching, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, immunostaining, flow cytometry, epigenetic editing using inactivated-CRISPR/Cas9 and super-resolution microscopy (STED) will be used extensively in this project. The project is truly interdisciplinary and the candidate is expected to thrive both in a clean-room environment and in a biomedicine laboratory. The candidate is also expected to work independently.

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:

• The subject of the doctorate degree should be physics or equivalent with focus on bio-nanoscience or biophysics.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

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:

• Experience with Nanofabrication.
• Experience with cell culture.
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9
• Experience with microfluidics and microfluidic cell manipulating/sorting techniques.
• Experience in epigenetics

The research is to a large extent interdisciplinary, and a broad competence profile and experiences from relevant areas of physics, medicine, biology, biochemistry and micro or nano-fabrication are of special value. Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, 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

If the application is not designed in accordance with the academic qualifications portfolio it shall be compiled into a PDF containing a covering letter in which applicants describe themselves and their particular research interests, including contributions to the described research project (maximum 2 pages). Applications must also include a CV, publication list, a copy of the applicant’s doctoral thesis (or a summary text if the thesis is not yet completed), contact details of at least two references, copies of grade certificates, and any other documents that the applicant wishes to refer to. Applicants are also required to answer the job specific questions in the final step of the application process.