Assistant Professor in Biophysical Chemistry with a focus on NMR Spectroscopy

The Chemistry Department at Lund University, Faculty of Engineering invites applications for a position as Assistant Professor in Biophysical Chemistry with a focus on NMR Spectroscopy.

Description of the workplace
The position is affiliated with the Division of Biophysical Chemistry, Center for Molecular Protein Science (CMPS), Department of Chemistry (KILU). Ongoing research at the Division of Biophysical Chemistry includes studies of biomolecular interactions, structure, and dynamics, aiming to understand biological systems and processes at the molecular level. The focus is on experimental and theoretical studies of the physical properties of proteins in solution.

CMPS provides a highly creative environment that enables leading research. In addition to Biophysical Chemistry, the unit also includes the Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology. At CMPS, we take pride in hosting several prestigious research grants, which currently include one ERC Consolidator Grant, one ERC Advanced Grant, one ERC Synergy Grant, and three project grants awarded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. CMPS consists of research groups with expertise in a range of biochemical and biophysical methods (see: https://www.cmps.lu.se), offering excellent opportunities for research collaborations and a stimulating learning environment for PhD students and postdocs.

At KILU, research is conducted in all core areas of chemistry, further expanding the opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations. Key research areas at the department with potential for synergy effects with the current position include structure-based drug design, physical-chemical studies of liquid-liquid phase transitions, dynamic studies of aggregation and amyloid formation, computational chemistry, and integrated structural biology, where techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction at the MAX IV synchrotron serve as powerful complements to NMR spectroscopy.

Since 2021, Lund University has invested significant resources in the establishment of a specialized NMR laboratory with state-of-the-art NMR instrumentation, including an 800 MHz Bruker NEO instrument with four channels and a 5 mm TCI Z-gradient CryoProbe with cooled preamplifiers for ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, and ²H, as well as a 600 MHz Bruker Avance NEO with four channels and a 5 mm QCI(P) Z-gradient CryoProbe for ¹H-¹⁹F/¹³C/¹⁵N/³¹P. A full-time research engineer (facility manager) provides support for the NMR lab.

We are now seeking candidates capable of conducting advanced method development in NMR spectroscopy, which may include the development of instrumentation, pulse sequences, theory, and advanced analysis of NMR data.

Subject
Biophysical Chemistry with a focus on NMR Spectroscopy

Subject description
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in biophysical chemistry involves studies of biological macromolecules, including their structures, dynamics and interactions with other molecules and larger biomolecular complexes. The field also encompasses the development of new NMR methods, such as pulse sequences or data analysis techniques.

Work duties
Employment as an assistant professor is a tenure track position, which aims for the holder to develop their independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position includes the opportunity to undertake five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education.

Work duties include:

• Research within the subject area.
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements
Qualification requirements for employment as an assistant professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate or has the corresponding research competence.

Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an assistant professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria
For appointment to assistant professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and carry out high quality research.
• Teaching ability.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Significant and documented postdoctoral research experience from another university/institute than the one where the applicant was awarded his/her PhD.
• Extensive experience of advanced NMR spectroscopy, including methods development, data processing and analysis.
• Scientific expertise demonstrated through scientific publications in the subject area (defined above).
• The applicant should submit as part of the application an independent research plan that can form the basis for successful grant proposals. The plan should also explain how the applicant’s research might complement and strengthen ongoing research at the department. The quality of the research plan will be given significant weight during the selection of candidates.
• Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently, as well as a demonstrated interest in leadership.

Other qualifications

• Practical experience of biochemical or molecular biology methods to prepare samples (possibly isotope labeled) suitable for NMR studies.
• Documented experience of research and teaching in physical chemistry.
• Documented ability to obtain external research funding.

The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA. The purpose of the appointment is for the teacher to be given the opportunity to develop research autonomy and acquire the scholarly and teaching qualifications required for eligibility for appointment as a senior lecturer.

We offer 
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: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:
http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/

*****************************************************************

Promotion to Senior Lecturer in Biophysical Chemistry with focus on NMR Spectroscopy
During the period of employment, an assistant professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An assistant professor can only apply for promotion once.

Qualification requirements
Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has:

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise.
• Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means.

Assessment criteria
The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be considered, and the level to be achieved, for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Good ability to collaborate, independence and drive.
• The candidate has developed a clear research profile and has produced several peer-reviewed publications in renowned journals without his/her previous supervisors or mentors, and where the applicant has clearly had a leading (PI) role.
• The candidate has as main applicant received multi-year research grants that are sufficient to support an independent research programme.
• The candidate has demonstrated international standing as a researcher within the research area and interacts regularly with other researchers within the area.
• Sufficient knowledge of Swedish to carry out administrative and educational tasks that require an understanding of Swedish.