Researcher in Biochemistry

The division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology is part of the Centre for Molecular Protein Science (CMPS), Department of Chemistry. CMPS offers a creative and strong research environment with excellent infrastructure and several successful research groups that have attracted prestigious grants from the European Research Council and Wallenberg Foundation (see https://www.cmps.lu.se for more information)

The current position is placed in Prof. Susanna Horsefield’s research group. The focus of the group’s research is to understand how membrane-bound proteins control transport of molecules across biological membranes in animal as well as plant cells. The aim of the research is to give detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanism of these transport processes and their regulation by obtaining structural models of membrane proteins and membrane protein complexes.

Subject description

The project involves structural and functional studies of human membrane-bound water channels of high medical relevance. The goal is to obtain a deeper understanding of their physiological and pathophysiological role and generate structural information that can be used to develop drugs against for example cancer and neurodegenerative disease.

Work duties

The work involves expression, purification and functional and structural characterization of human aquaporins on their own and in complex with interacting partners. You will work with methods for recombinant overproduction of membrane proteins in yeast, protein-protein interaction studies and structural determination using cryo-electron microscopy. You are also expected to take an active part in the overall research activity of the group, including sharing duties in the laboratory and responsibility for equipment as well as co-supervision of PhD- and undergraduate project students.

Qualification requirements

Applicants must have:

• A PhD or equivalent research qualification within biochemistry, structural biology or biomedicine or other subject relevant to the position.
• Minimum of 2-year postdoc experience within membrane protein structural biology
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Significant practical experience and knowledge of expression, purification and characterization of human membrane proteins
• Documented practical experience of structural determination of membrane proteins using cryo-electron microscopy
• Documented practical experience of protein-protein interaction studies

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

Practical experience of the following are considered as strong merits:

• Recombinant overproduction of human membrane proteins in yeast
• Structural studies of membrane proteins in complex with interacting partners
• Structural and functional studies of human aquaporins
• Supervision of degree student projects

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

This is a full time position with a fixed-term employment of 11 months. The preferred start date is 2026-01-12 or as agreed.

Contact person: Prof. Susanna Horsefield, susanna.horsefield@biochemistry.lu.se, +46 70 515 92 43

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),
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.