Associate researcher in Experimental Transfusion Medicine

Description of the workplace
The Transfusion medicine research team at the Department of Laboratory Medicine within the Faculty of Medicine, currently conducts research about the biology of the polymorphic molecules on the red blood cell surface, also known as blood groups, and is at the forefront of its field. At present, the research team is working several different projects including discovery of novel blood groups, host-pathogen blood group interactions, regulation of hemostasis and ABO-universal blood for transfusion. You can read more about our projects on our website. The research team is led by Professor Martin L Olsson and includes approximately 10-15 other members over time. The group is international and comprises research, administrative and technical staff. We are now looking for a driven and experienced researcher in experimental transfusion medicine to support a new project. As a workplace, we safeguard a positive work environment with respect and consideration in our relations with one another. The Principal Investigator holds regular meetings with everyone in the team.

What we offer
Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. We also have a flexitime agreement that provides good conditions for work/life balance.

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

Work duties 
Under the leadership of the Principal Investigator, you will work independently with research projects that mainly aim to elucidate the genetics, structure and function of blood group molecules of protein nature on the surface of red blood cells. The work mainly constitutes experimental in vitro work in the laboratory with substances of human or recombinant origin, including cell culture and gene-modifying techniques like CRISPR but also involves work with red cell invading parasites like malaria and babesia. The work duties also comprise literature review, bioinformatics and summarizing your work in written form, including publishing articles in research journals, contributing to conferences and assisting in the other work duties that the above-mentioned research project and the laboratory as a whole entails. Supervision of students in the laboratory, mainly at B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. level, may also be part of responsibilities. 

Qualifications
Requirements for employment are:

• Doctoral degree in the life sciences, preferably specializing in erythrocyte biology and/or malaria biology and at least 3 years of postdoctoral experience
• Documented knowledge about and experience from working with molecular blood group biology and red cell invading parasites
• Documented skills in methods relevant for the project, e.g. Western blot, EMSA and luciferase), erythroid cell culture, parasite culture, flow cytometry and general cell- and molecular biology
• Very good knowledge of oral and written English
• The ability to conduct independent research at an advanced level

Additional qualifications for the position are:

• Scientific publications of relevance for the field of study
• Good knowledge about blood group analysis and interpretation, e.g. hemagglutination in gel cards and similar methods
• Previous experience of similar research projects
• Good analytical ability, personal drive and skills to cooperate and collaborate

Great emphasis will be held on personal suitability. The evaluation of applicants will take account of their previous publications, research profile, experience and knowledge.

Further information
The employment is a fulltime position until further notice.
Probationary employment of 6 months may be applied
Start date is 2024-06-17 or according to agreement.

How to apply
You apply for the position via the University’s recruitment system. The application is to include a personal letter describing how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position. The application is also to include a CV with a list of publications, a general description of previous research work, and a copy of the PhD diploma and other documents you wish to highlight.