Post-doctoral fellow in analytical chemistry with medical and biological applications - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

Analytical chemistry, which is one of the fundamental chemistry subjects, is about the chemical characterisation of different samples, i.e. to determine how they are structured, what chemical compounds they contain and how much of each compound they contain. The research project "Antibiotic resistance: The role of chemical pollutants in urban wastewater" aims to describe how resistance transmission is affected by pollutants in water sources. We will collect a large number of water samples from highly polluted wastewater and relatively clean environmental water in three different countries: Bangladesh, South Africa and Sweden. The water samples will be analysed using a number of different techniques to provide a detailed description of the aquatic environment and its pollutants. We will also examine resistance transfer in these water samples. By correlating the chemical signature of the water with the results of our resistance transfer experiments, we hope to be able to identify chemical substances that stimulate the transfer of resistance genes. This research is of great importance to characterize mechanisms for the transmission of antibiotic resistance and to identify the compounds that trigger this process. This knowledge can then be used to create powerful tools to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance, and thus tackles one of our current biggest medical challenges.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. The main research task is to perform chemical analyses of organic substances in water samples. The methodology includes sample preparation, supercritical fluid chromatography with ion mobility – high-resolution mass spectrometry (SFC-IM-HRMS), two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (2D-NMR), data processing and statistics, and simple genetic tests performed in a medical laboratory. Reading of current research, as well as a summary of the results achieved in writing and in oral presentations are also included. 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.

Work duties also include:

• 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.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Documented practical experience of global/untargeted analyses with high-resolution mass spectrometry.
• Documented practical experience of multivariate analysis, including knowledge in statistical computational environments such as R or Python, or equivalent.
• Published in internationally renowned journals
• Ability to communicate complex issues and research results both in speech and in writing.

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.

Additional assessment criteria:

• At least one year of hands-on experience of method development in the analysis of complex samples containing low molecular weight organic compounds.
• Experience of working with a number of different mass spectrometers, preferably including method development and troubleshooting.
• Practical experience and/or theoretical knowledge of 2D-NMR analysis.
• Practical experience of working with pathogenic microorganisms.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive, curiosity 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 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.

Starting date: as soon as possible, but latest 2022-08-01

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 letter of a maximum of 2 pages which must contain the following: A) justification of how this position and the specific project match the applicant's interests (maximum half a page); B) a general description of previous research work and future research interests (max. 1 page); and C) a short piece of text where qualitative, statistical and quantitative challenges in global/untargeted mass spectrometry-based analyses are discussed from an analytical chemistry perspective (maximum half a page).
• Contact information of at least two references.
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.

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