Postdoctoral fellow 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 nanostructures 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

Subject description
Use of nanotubes for single cell analysis in the context of cancer research.

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 fabricate nanotubes at the Lund Nano Lab, and use them for probing single cells in the context of cancer research. This includes using nanotubes for injecting fluorescent molecular probes in cells followed by readout using fluorescence microscopy, as well as using nanotubes for pumping material from cells in longitudinal studies of cancer cells. The project will be a collaboration between the groups of Christelle Prinz (Division of Solid State Physics),  Kristian Pietras (Division of Translational Cancer Research) and Thoas Fioretos (Department of Laboratory Medicine).

Nanofabrication, fluorescence microscopy (including super-resolution microscopy (STED)), immunostaining, flow cytometry, cell culture, gene expression analysis, such as qPCR 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 fluorescence microscopy
• Experience with cell culture
• Experience with Immunocytochemistry
• Gene expression analysis techniques

The research is to a large extent interdisciplinary, and a broad competence profile and experiences from relevant areas of physics, biology, medicine 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 and shall contain: 

• a covering letter in which applicants describe themselves and their particular research interests, including contributions to the described research project (maximum 2 pages).
• a CV
• a 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.