Researcher in biophysical chemistry of concentrated antibody solutions

Job description and work duties

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are engineered proteins that can serve as substitute antibodies in the immune system. Due to their high potential in e.g. cancer treatment, they attract enormous attention from pharmaceutical industry. At the same time the formulation of high concentration injectable mAb biologics is very challenging as it is often severely limited due to high turbidity and/or high viscosity. An international consortium of leading groups has thus been established in order to perform a concerted research effort under the umbrella of the LINXS Institute of advanced Neutron and X-ray Science (https://www.linxs.se/integrative-pharmacology-and-drug-discovery). The LINXS antibody research program combines experimental and theoretical/simulation efforts in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST and Novartis. Our research group at the Division of Physical Chemistry is part of this consortium, and the advertised position will allow a researcher to join this international effort.

In this project we aim at establishing a colloid-inspired approach to understand the origin of this behaviour and to predict it from low concentration data and mAb molecular structure. The researcher we are looking for will apply different static and dynamic scattering techniques (based on light and x-rays) on mAb samples, including static and dynamic light scattering (SLS/DLS) and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), and analyse the data. (S)he will also perform microrheology experiments, establish mAb phase/state diagrams and closely work together with simulators and theoreticians in a concerted effort towards a better understanding of the complex solution behaviour of mAbs.

The project will be conducted at the University of Lund, Sweden, at the Division of Physical Chemistry.

Qualification requirements

• PhD in Soft Matter Physics, Biophysics, Physical or Biophysical Chemistry or similar, with a strong biophysical/biochemical background
• Experience in protein sample preparation and handling
• Experience in the application of scattering techniques to soft and biological matter
• Experience in scattering data analysis
• Documented very good oral and written proficiency in English

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

• Experience in the formulation and characterization of concentrated protein (antibody) solutions
• Theoretical knowledge on protein-protein interactions
• Experience in Simulation techniques

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

Starting date: June 2024 or later

Deadline for application: xxx, 2024

Terms of employment: This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 1 year. The working language is English.

For more information please contact:

Anna Stradner, e-mail: anna.stradner@fkem1.lu.se

Peter Schurtenberger, e-mail: peter.schurtenberger@fkem1.lu.se

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 general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages), and addressing the qualification requirements and questions posed during the online application procedure
• Contact information of at least two references, Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.