Post-doctoral fellow in Physical Chemistry - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

Post Doc position in Physical Chemistry.

A post-doctoral scientist is recruited for a joint project between the Department of Chemistry, Division of Physical Chemistry and the European Spallation Source ERIC to investigate the mechanism of apoptosis-regulating proteins in models of mitochondrial membranes, using a combination of neutron reflectivity and complementary techniques. The project is an international collaboration with Umeå University and the ISIS Neutron and Muon facility with a broader focus on developing experimental and analytical methodologies for mechanistic studies of membrane proteins using neutron reflectometry and NMR.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position are 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 main duties of this postdoc will be to develop methods for the isolation and analysis of biologically deuterated lipids and the reconstitution of mitochondrial membrane models, as well as carrying out neutron scattering experiments/analysis to probe their structure and the mechanism of apoptosis regulating proteins found in the outer mitochondrial membrane. For the purification and characterisation of biologically deuterated lipids, the postdoc will be hosted 50% at the DEMAX laboratory of ESS in Medicon Village, and reconstitution of lipids and proteins into mitochondrial membrane models will be carried out at LU in collaboration with ISIS and Umeå university. The postdoc will spend one year at ISIS working with the reflectometry group to develop further the experimental methodology and data analysis procedures for contrast optimisation.

Other duties will include:

• Research and collaboration within the subject area, as defined in the project plan.
• Participation in the day-to-day activities and maintenance of ESS DEMAX laboratory in Medicon Village.
• Collaboration with ESS/ISIS scientists and participation in host group meetings and relevant facility events.
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies as appropriate.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above. 

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. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

Additional requirements:

• Hands-on experience and a good understanding of neutron/X-ray scattering experiments and data analysis is essential.
• Experience of supported lipid membrane formation and characterization is essential.
• Experience of lipid analysis and a good understanding of thin-layer and gas chromatography methods is essential.
• Experience in and willingness to contribute to general laboratory. housekeeping and safety, as well as maintaining and calibrating equipment is essential.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English is essential.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally is essential.
• Experience of international collaboration and working in an international environment is essential.

Additional requirements that would be desirable and constitute an advantage:

• Experience of contrast variation neutron reflectometry experiments and data analysis.
• Experience of lipid extraction and purification from cell cultures.
• Experience and good understanding of complementary techniques to investigate lipid membranes (QCM-D, ATF-FTIR, ellipsometry, AFM etc.).
• Experience of protein-lipid interactions and protein reconstitution into membranes.
• Experience of analytical or preparative HPLC, mass spectrometry and/or NMR analysis of lipids.
• Experience in or an interest to learn to culture cells (yeast, bacteria).
• Excellent oral and written proficiency in Swedish.

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.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Independent thinking and ability to drive own research in the field.
• Good networking abilities.

Additional assessment criteria:

• The ability to work independently as well as to support and collaborate with others is essential.
• The ability to write to reports and publications on methods developed and results obtained is essential.
• An interest and ability to learn new techniques and methods is desirable.
• An interest to participate in conferences, workshops, meetings, and outreach activities is desirable.

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department and the project partner laboratories and how they stand to contribute to future developments.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 3 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 1 February 2022. 

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• cover letter describing motivation for applying for this position
• 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.