Post doctor in potassium channel structural biology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

This position is part of a larger multidisciplinary project recently funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg (KAW) Foundation focusing on potassium ion channels, which will be conducted in Stockholm, Linköping, Gothenburg and Lund in Sweden by five separate research groups.

Ion channels are essential for life across organisms and a sophisticated understanding of their function is imperative for basic, biomedical and applied research. The overarching goal of the proposed project is to develop ion channel activators and inhibitors. Previously unmet specificity needs will be achieved by targeting subtype- and conformational-specific features, thereby limiting side effects. The focus will be on Kv7 channels linked to a range of severe neurological disorders, including epilepsy, sleep disorders and autism.

The postdoctoral fellow recruited for this position will determine structures of potassium ion channels using cryo-EM and will be supervised by Pontus Gourdon at Lund University. Sara Liin at Linköping University will serve as a co-supervisor and is part of the KAW-supported  project. Here is a selection of articles recently published by the group:

• Zhang et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):7483
• Moparthi et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):6113
• Salustros et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):5121
• Li et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):4339
• Wiuf et al (2022) Science Advances 8, eabn4331
• Grønberg et al (2021). Elife 10:e73124
• Li et al (2021) Nature Communications 12(1):3973
• Wang et al (2021) Nature Communications 12(1):2956

We are now looking for a post doctor for fulltime employment fixed term for two years with a possible extension following the first employment time.  

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. In addition we offer:

- access to a well-developed research infrastructure

- an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators.

- a research climate inviting lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research

- a working environment with teamwork, close working relations, network activities among young scientists and social activities.

- a workplace characterized by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance. 

Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University | Lund University

Work duties and responsibilities 

We are looking for a skilled and motivated post doctor with an interest in working with membrane proteins to understand how they operate at the molecular level. The recruited person will perform experimental research with a focus on cryo-EM to understand how TRP channels are regulated in normal and pathophysiology. The position also includes travel for the collection of cryo-EM data. The research will be led jointly by Pontus Gourdon and Sara Liin (Linköping University).

Qualifications 

• You must have a PhD degree within a relevant field, and the degree cannot be older than three years.
• Experience of interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
• You must also fulfill two of the three below-mentioned criteria:
• You must have experience of cloning, production and purification of membrane proteins.
• You must have experience of single particle cryo-EM on membrane proteins including preparation and freezing of protein samples.
• You must have experience of screening samples using “state-of-the-art” electron microscopes such as Talos, Glacios and Krios.

We place grate emphasis on personal qualifications. You should be ambitious, creative, have good cooperation skills and initiative and a high degree of independence.

Further information

The employment is for two years, full-time, starting as soon as possible, or as we agree upon. Extension of the position is possible. 

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application must include a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications (maximum two pages). The application must also include a CV (maximum two pages), degree certificates or equivalent, list of publications, and contact information to two referees.

Eligibility
Appointment to the position of postdoc 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 application deadline. Under special circumstances the PhD can have been completed previous to the aforementioned three years.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment. A postdoctoral fellow is employed under a period
of at least two years and at most three years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor-2022-02-01” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow, 2022-02-01”)