Postdoctoral fellow in Physics: Modelling of molecular motors - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

The position is placed at the Division of Solid State Physics at the Department of Physics, a division with around 100 employees where extensive research is carried out centered on various aspects of nanophysics, ranging from materials science to bio- and quantum physics to various applications. The division is a central part of NanoLund, Lund University's large interdisciplinary research Centre on nanoscience and nanotechnology.

A significant part of the research at the division is in nano-biotechnology. The department hosts the ERC Synergy Grant ArtMotor (PI Heiner Linke), which aims at designing and building the world’s first functional, synthetic protein motors.

More information can be found at: Division of Solid State Physics, NanoLund, Artmotor, Research Portal

We offer

You will be included in a team of researchers at NanoLund, a highly visible nanoscience center that offers excellent career development, an open and inclusive research environment with an active community of PhD students and postdocs, and access to a wide range of state-of-the-art capabilities within characterization, nanofabrication and modelling.

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee at Work at Lund University

Subject description

Responsible for the position is Prof. Heiner Linke at the Division of Solid State Physics at Lund University. Heiner Linke has long-term experience in the development of molecular motors and is a PI in the ERC Synergy ArtMotor project, which aims at designing and building functional, synthetic protein motors, and to detect their movements. As a first step, the partners will construct relatively simple protein motors that will require external control to achieve motility. The final goal is to construct, step by step, an autonomous protein motor capable of transducing chemical energy to move along a track. Our role in the project is to characterize the motors’ performance as well to guide the design of the protein motors and to evaluate the experimental results using coarse grain (Brownian dynamics) modelling. The research will be performed in close collaboration with Birte Höcker (University of Bayreuth, Germany) and Paul Curmi (UNSW, Sydney, Australia) who will be responsible for protein design, synthesis and characterization of the molecules, as well as with Ralf Eichhorn (Nordita), expert in stochastic thermodynamics and modelling of Brownian dynamics. Research visits to one or several of the collaborator’s groups can be part of the project.

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. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• The subject area of the doctorate degree should be in theoretical physics.

Assessment criteria

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.
• Teaching skills.

Other qualifications:

• Expertise in soft condensed matter (e.g. colloidal particles, proteins, DNA, lipids).
• Experience in mathematical modelling of non-equilibrium systems.
• Knowledge in simulation of Monte-Carlo processes and Brownian motion.
• Experience in numerical methods (e.g. numerical integration of stochastic differential equations)
• Knowledge of programming (e.g. FORTRAN, Mathematica)
• Experience in numerical and analytical methods in stochastic thermodynamics.
• Experience of collaboration with experiments or own experimental experience.

Consideration will also be given to 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.

Further information

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”).

How to apply

The application must be written in English and contain a letter in which you briefly describe yourself and your research interests, including contributions to the described research project. The application must also contain a CV, a copy of the doctoral degree certificate, a list of at least two references with contact details, copies of grades and other documents that you wish to refer to.

Applicants are also required to answer the job specific questions in the final step of the application process.

Welcome with your application!