Scientist NextBioForm (1 year) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

NextBioForm is a Swedish research centre providing cutting edge research on industrially relevant issues for the formulation and characterisation of biologically based drug products, The aim is to deliver new and improved formulations which will bring stable biopharmaceuticals to the patients and thus support improved quality of life. The centre gathers 18 partners from the institute, academic, hospital and industry sectors, (MAX IV is a partner) and is funded by Vinnova and Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) through their biologics programme.

Within this collaboration we are working closely with researchers at Malmö university to develop controlled humidity simultaneous SAXS/WAXS measurements on the protein solutions and formulations chosen for study in the NextBioForm project. The successful postdoc/researcher  will join the team at MAX IV. You will be responsible for developing the variable humidity experiments (including at low water content), which will include designing the experimental setup, purchasing the necessary equipment and integrating it within the CoSAXS beamline. You will also be responsible for developing the analysis tools for the interpretation of SAXS/WAXS measurements from low water content protein/excipient low water content solutions.

You will collaborate within an interdisciplinary project team at MAX IV, Malmö University and RISE as well as other partners within the NextBioForm project. 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 environment that can have far-reaching implications for expanding the application of X-ray techniques to structural biology, especially for the study of the dynamics of proteins at variable water content. Therefore, you should have knowledge of proteins and their structure and interactions (for example, variability in chemical composition, homogeneity and  solvent interactions) as well as the requirements for X-ray scattering/diffraction experiments (different methods for time-resolved studies, need for minimising background for SAXS/WAXS measurements, effects of radiation damage).

To summarize, this position offers a focused project within the cutting edge field of synchrotron solution scattering from proteins 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 experience of controlling and monitoring humidity.

• Experience of thermal calorimetry under controlled humidity

• Experience of spectroscopic measurements under controlled humidity.

• Practical experience of synchrotron solution X-ray scattering and/or SAXS/WAXS measurements.

• Experience of developing SAXS/WAXS data reduction and analysis tools for the interpretation of SAXS/WAXS data from highly concentrated protein samples.

• Publications arising from the use of small angle scattering in your research field.

• Basic protein solution work and knowledge of protein chemistry.

• Knowledge of python, matlab or similiar computing languages.

• 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:

• Experience of control (software/hardware) and interfacing of sample environment, for example, temperature controllers, valves.
• Computer aided design experience (we use Solidworks).
• Planning, coordinating and carrying out experimental measurements at a large scale X-ray or neutron facility.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and interact with a diverse group of scientists and technical staff in a dynamic environment.

This is a one year temporary employment.