Postdoctoral fellow in insect chemical ecology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Post-doctoral fellow in insect chemical ecology: Odorant receptors coping with anthropogenic change

Subject description

Odorant receptors are involved in resource discrimination and mate finding in moths. Many moths in diverse Lepidopteran families use similar pheromone components, detected by receptors that in some cases are closely related and in other cases have diverged remarkably but retained functional characteristics. The same holds for receptors involved in bark beetle pheromone communication and host detection. This project aims at identifying structural characteristics of moth and bark beetle odorant receptors and to investigate how these receptors may cope with anthropogenic changes in the olfactory landscape of insects. The project will involve modelling of receptor-ligand interactions, mutagenesis and structural studies using cryo-EM and x-ray crystallography.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research within the Max Planck Centre for Next Generation Insect Chemical Ecology (nGICE), a high level cooperation between Lund University, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and The Max Planck Society. The succesful candidate will work within the nGICE Max Planck center, and is expected to collaborate with colleagues at the partner institutes and partly work there. Work duties include:

• Characterization of olfactory receptors
• Modelling of receptor-ligand interactions
• Mutagenesis
• Overexpression and purification of receptor proteins
• Bioinformatics, molecular biology, cell assays
• Structural studies using cryo-EM and x-ray crystallography

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. Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English
• Strong skills in bioinformatics, molecular modelling, molecular biology, receptor physiology
• Experience working with heterlogous expression systems
• Experience with electrophysiology
• Knowledge about and strong interest in structural studies of olfactory proteins

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 area. 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 nGICE center, and how they stand to contribute to the center’s 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 be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages)
• contact information of at least two references
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered