Postdoctor within physical and structural virology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The research group

The Virus Biophysics group conducts research in physical and structural virology with focus on human herpesviruses. Our research has been at the forefront in this area for several years. The group is led by Professor Alex Evilevitch and consists of both research and technical staff. The laboratory is located at the Biomedical Center in Lund. Here you can read more about our exciting research for more information click here

Within the research group we foster a work environment that is developing and stimulating for all employees.

We are now seeking a postdoctoral scholar in small angle x-ray and / or small angle neutron scattering (SAXS / SANS). The position is 100% full-time for two years in accordance with Lund university agreement for fixed-term employment as a postdoc. The desired start date is May 2020 or by agreement.

Primary herpes infections are mostly dormant, periodically becoming active infections that can cause debilitating—and sometimes lethal—diseases over the course of a person’s lifetime. This dormant/active (latent/lytic) cycle in herpesviruses and several other virus families is poorly understood and has challenged scientists for decades. What is the fundamental mechanism that determines if a viral infection is destined to a latent or a lytic fate? That is the central question at the heart of this postdoctoral project, and the answer is key to understanding viral infection in close to 60% of all infection cases worldwide.

Our research group has recently found that viral DNA inside a herpesvirus protein shell is packaged at a pressure of 20 atm. This pressure is responsible for injection of viral DNA from herpes virion into a cell nucleus during infection, where pressure and structure of the packaged viral DNA strongly influences the dynamics of its release. Both structure and release dynamics of viral genome impact the decision of a cell between latent and lytic infection cycle. In this project we aim to investigate and demonstrate the link between packaged viral DNA structure, its release dynamics and cell’s latency decision during infection. As a primary tool we use small angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS). Thus, you are expected to have good experience in SAXS and/or SANS data acquisition, modeling and analysis. Knowledge and experience in cell biology/virology research is preferable. This project benefits from unique in the world newly built infrastructure in Lund – MAX IV, which is the world’s brightest X-ray synchrotron, and soon to be completed European Spallation Source (ESS) for neutron scattering studies. 

Work tasks

As a postdoctoral fellow you will be responsible for the structural virology project in the research group. Your responsibilities mainly include:

• SAXS and/or SANS measurements
• Data collection and analysis
• Beamline applications as well as virus and cell preparation
• Other tasks within the research group may also be relevant, such as imaging analysis using fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy

You will also be required to participate in conferences, business trips and student training and supervision.

Qualification

Recruirements

A postdoc has to have completed a doctoral degree (PhD or an equivalent degree) and have the following requirements fulfilled for employment:

• PhD in physics / chemistry / biophysics / structure biology / cell biology / virology
• experience in X-ray and / or neutron scattering analysis
• experience in SANS/SAXS modeling of experimental systems
• knowledge and research experience in cell biology / virology

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

Desirable qualifications 

• research experience at a synchrotron facility
• research in virolog

The application should contain a personal cover letter describing how you fulfill the desired qualifications, CV and diploma.