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Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 45 000 students and more than 8 000 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.
Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.
Subject description
The present project area lies within colloid and interface science, a sub-discipline of physical chemistry. Focusing on the interaction of nanomaterials with lipid membranes, the project also includes aspects of biology and biophysics.
Work duties
The purpose of the project is to elucidate mechanisms underlying oxidative degradation of key components in bacterial cell walls, notably phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides, as well as how this translates into antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of photocatalytic nanomaterials. Addressing this, photocatalytic nanoparticles will be investigated regarding their effects on bacteria-mimicking phospholipid membranes and bacterial lipopolysaccharides. Scattering and surface chemistry techniques will be employed to investigate structural and compositional effects on exposure to photocatalytic nanoparticles in the absence and presence of illumination. The physicochemical results will be correlated to antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cell toxicity effects of the photocatalytic nanoparticles. In addition, loading the particles with antimicrobial peptides will be used to boost selectivity for bacterial cell walls. Through this, we aim to contribute to a mechanistic understanding of how photocatalytic nanoparticles can be designed to potently destabilize bacterial membranes without causing adverse effects, e.g., related to oxidative destabilization of human cell membranes or release of inflammatory lipopolysaccharide fragments.
The main duty of the successful candidate will be to execute research in the subject area outline above. Additional tasks include:
Qualification requirements
Applicants must have:
Assessment criteria and other qualifications
- Hands-on experience with research within colloid and interface science, and a background in surface chemistry, physical chemistry, or biophysics, is an advantage.
- Experience with surface chemistry methodologies for investigating self-assembly systems (SAXS) and biological (model) systems at interfaces (QCM-d, neutron reflectometry, neutron scattering) is an advantage.
- Experience of surface chemical studies of lipid membrane interactions with nanoparticles, and particularly so for inorganic and photocatalytic nanoparticles, is an advantage.
- Experience of studies of lipopolysaccharide-nanoparticle interactions is an advantage.
Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, 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 and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.
Contact information
Professor Martin Malmsten, martin.malmsten@fkem1.lu.se, tel +45 31 49 92 03.
Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:
Type of employment | Temporary position |
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Contract type | Full time |
First day of employment | 2023-11-01 or as agreed |
Number of positions | 1 |
Full-time equivalent | 100 |
City | Lund |
County | Skåne län |
Country | Sweden |
Reference number | PA2023/2805 |
Contact |
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Union representative |
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Published | 05.Sep.2023 |
Last application date | 19.Sep.2023 11:59 PM CEST |