Post-doctoral position in Physics: Modelling of molecular motors - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Solid State Physics

The research at the division of Solid State Physics within the Physics Department is focused around different aspects of nanophysics, ranging from materials science to quantum physics, to different applications. The division plays a central role in NanoLund, the major interdisciplinary research environment within nanoscience and nanotechnology at Lund University, and it hosts Lund Nano Lab, 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.

Research Area

A significant part of the research at the division is in the area of nano-biotechnology, where we develop new methods to investigate biological systems, and to use biomolecules in nanodevices. The department hosts the ERC Synergy Grant ArtMotor (PI Heiner Linke), which aims at designing and building functional, synthetic protein motors, and to detect their movements along a DNA-track. As a first step, the partners will construct relatively simple protein motors that will require external control to achieve motility. The final goal is to construct, step by step, an autonomous protein motor capable of transducing chemical energy, e.g. from ATP, to move along a track. Our role in the project is to characterize the motors’ performance as well to guide the design of the protein motors and to evaluate the experimental results using coarse grain (Brownian dynamics) modelling. The research will be performed in close collaboration with Birte Höcker (University of Bayreuth, Germany) and Paul Curmi (UNSW, Sydney, Australia) who will be responsible for protein design, synthesis and characterization of the molecules, as well as with Ralf Eichhorn (Nordita), expert in stochastic thermodynamics and modelling of Brownian dynamics.

More information can be found at: www.ftf.lth.se, www.nano.lu.se

www.nano.lu.se/heiner-linke,

https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/951375

Work duties

Coarse-grain modelling of protein motor designs and their expected performance. Development of software to examine the molecules in numerical simulations. The purpose of the post-doctoral project is to guide the design of various types of motors, and to facilitate interpretation of experimental measurements of the motors’ performance. In addition, the position may include fundamental studies of the stochastic thermodynamics of molecular motors.

The main duty involved in a post-doctoral posistion 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. It is further expected that the postdoc works together with degree- and PhD students within the research group and contributes in meetings and seminars.

Work duties also comprise:

• Research within the subject area
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students
• Contribute to grant applications for external research funding
• Administration related to the work duties listed above

The project will be led by Heiner Linke and Ralf Eichhorn.

The candidate is expected to be able 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:

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

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:

• Knowledge of stochastic processes and of modelling of Brownian motion.
• Experience of mathematical modelling of non-equilibrium systems.
• Experience of numerical methods (for example numerical integration of stochastic differential equations)
• Knowledge of C or C++
• Experience of numerical or analytical methods within stochastic thermodynamics.

The research is to a large extent interdisciplinary, and a broad competence profile and experiences from relevant areas of physics and biophysics are of special value.

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 department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment 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. The application shall be compiled into a PDF containing a cover 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.