Assistant Researcher

Description of workplace
The Systems Virology group is located at the Department of Translational Medicine and is led by Associate Professor Joakim Esbjörnsson. The group uses various bioinformatics and phylogenetic methods to combine genetic, clinical and epidemiological data to explain how viruses adapt to new environments – both at the population level and in individuals. In addition, various experimental model systems are used to study in detail how virus-host interactions regulate disease progression. The research is therefore often based on complex and multifaceted (often longitudinally collected) data that require advanced biostatistics and modeling. In addition, identified key markers and regulators of disease progression, and their potential for new treatments or vaccines, are functionally evaluated in various human cell and tissue model systems.

Here you can read more about our exciting research: www.virology.lu.se.

Within the research group, we safeguard a good work environment with respect and consideration in our relationships with each other. We strive for a workplace that is perceived as developing and stimulating for all employees, and we constantly work to create conditions for job satisfaction, development and participation for all employees. We care about both physical safety and the psychosocial work environment.

Duties and responsibilities
Neutralisation of surface proteins of the most common coronaviruses using bispecific antibodies represent a new and promising way to target coronaviruses. The main task of the appointed associate researcher will be to set up and run a cell-based assay to study protein mutations and antibody interactions. The assay will be based on pseudovirus constructs (expressing the Spike protein) of different coronaviruses which will then be used for assessing the neutralisation activity of bispecific antibodies in collaboration with pother research teams at Lund university. Through these assays the functionality and associated pathogenicity/neutralisation sensitivity of identified key protein structures will be assessed by ex vivo infections of different cell lines. Additionally, the project will in a collaborative effort with staff from Lund Protein Production Platform (LP3) and MAX IV laboratory express and purify targeted proteins in order to resolve their three-dimensional structures using cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography. The associate researcher is also expected to link these project parts together.

The results of the analyses are compiled into reports, and finally through the writing of manuscripts which are submitted to scientific journals for review and publication. During the employment period, active participation in group meetings and project presentations is also expected (this also includes own presentations).

Qualifications
The employment requires:

• Doctoral degree.
• Relevant experience in molecular and cell biology, as well as pseudovirus analysis.
• Knowledge of virus-host interactions and how viruses bind to their target cells, as well as experience of virus neutralisation using antibodies.
• Very good oral and written communication skills in English. 
• Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. The tasks require you to be independent, driven and cooperative.

Additional qualifications for the position are:

• Publications in international journals on the subject of virology, and experience in writing research applications.

Other
The employment is a fixed-term employment (SÄVA) under the period 2025-01-01 until 2025-05-31. 100 %.

How to apply
The position is applied for via the university's recruitment system. The application must contain a
personal letter with justification as to why you are interested in the employment and in what way the employment matches your qualifications. The application must also contain a CV, diploma or equivalent and other things that you wish to invoke (copies of grades, information for references, letters of recommendation, etc).