Postdoctoral Fellow in Applications of SERS for Soil Fungal Systems - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

Soil fungi play a crucial role in global biogeochemical cycles, predominantly through decomposition of complex organic matter. Overall functioning and productivity of the fungal community is significantly affected by interspecific interactions and competition for resources, which, in turn, affects the biogeochemical cycles and fluxes of respired CO2 from soil. In the face of climate change and other human activity-induced changes of environmental conditions, better understanding of fundamental mechanisms behind these fungal interactions is necessary in order to determine the direction of the overall decomposition rates and to make sure that our soils serve as overall sinks and not emitters of carbon.

To survive in a resource limited environment, fungi have developed means for interspecific communication and warfare via an arsenal of secreted secondary metabolites. Specific ecological role of those metabolites and the extent to which they affect the biogeochemical cycling during fungal interactions remains unknown. Because they are secreted and act at a single-cell scale, tracing them ‘then and there’ can aid in identifying potential triggers for their production and clarifying their function. Currently used methods have either insufficient resolution or are destructive, and are not suitable for such analyses.

The aim of this highly interdisciplinary European Research Council (ERC) funded project is to establish experimental protocols for the single-cell scale soil fungal secondary metabolite identification and characterization using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microspectroscopy - a method that employs optical properties of gold nanoparticles for molecule specific sensing and that has been shown in biomedical research to have an extraordinary potential for studying microbial metabolic processes. For this, gold nanoparticle SERS substrates will be produced and incorporated into microfluidics based soil chips that allow singling out the interacting fungal cells and provide visual access to them growing in structures mimicking real ecosystems via control over biotic and abiotic environment. Additionally, the most important secondary metabolites to be detected will be identified using custom liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques in extractions obtained from fungal mono- (no competition) and co- cultures to serve as reference information.

This postdoc position is the first to be filled in the ERC project, where another postdoc and a PhD student are planned to be hired during the upcoming two years.

Work duties

The main duties involved in the post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research, consisting of development of protocols for the gold nanoparticle synthesis (mainly colloids) and incorporation into microfluidic soil chip structures for SERS substrate production. Additional duties include characterization of the physical and optical properties of the produced substrates, as well as identification of the most important fungal secondary metabolites in the extractions obtained from fungal cultures using LC-MS and NMR techniques available at open access facilities at Lund University. Teaching may also be included to promote career development, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall also include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Detailed description of the work duties:

• Developing protocols for synthesis and characterisation of gold nanoparticles of various shapes and sizes, mainly using liquid colloid preparation approaches
• Incorporating the prepared nanoparticles into microfluidic soil chip structures and performing SERS microspectroscopy measurements of soil fungal metabolites
• Preparing metabolite extractions from laboratory grown fungal cultures and characterizing them using LC-MS and NMR approaches
• Analysing the produced spectral data.
• Scientific writing 

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. Special emphasis will be placed on scientific ability in the subject areas of analytical chemistry (especially Raman microspectroscopy approaches), nanoscience and nanotechnology, but other subject areas may also be considered if they are deemed relevant to the project. The doctoral studies must be completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Experience in working with spectroscopy methods, particularly Raman (micro)spectroscopy, preferably including applications of SERS
• Experience in spectral data analysis
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Merits:

• Experience in nanoparticle synthesis
• Experience in preparing samples for and performing LC-MS and NMR analyses.
• Experience in working with biological samples

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.
• Fulfilment of the requirements above.

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, with possibility for extension. 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.

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,
• cover letter, including 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.