Lunds universitet, MAX IV, Diffraction & Scattering

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

The project “AdaptoCell for MAX IV laboratory users”, funded by Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF), aims to develop a microfluidic flow-cell platform, the AdaptoCell, for MAX IV users. In particular, the platform is intended for the study of proteins at physiologically relevant conditions for three different beamlines with three different techniques, Balder (X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy), CoSAXS (Small Angle X-ray Scattering) and MicroMAX (serial crystallography). The AdaptoCell can be used to investigate, for example, time dependent changes in the active site of enzymes, protein dynamics in response to stimuli or sample delivery for serial crystallography. The project team is based and coordinated from MAX IV, Lund University, with members and expert partners from other Swedish universities and research institutes.

Within this project, the postdoc will develop and deploy the AdaptoCell for the Balder beamline which is dedicated to XAS and XES techniques with a focus on in-situ studies in energy range 2.4-40 keV. The beamline is in the commissioning phase at the 3 GeV storage ring at the MAX IV Laboratory and is expected to go into user operation 2019. 

Tasks

The successful postdoc candidate will execute the AdaptoCell microfluidics platform for XAS at the Balder beamline. The first year will focus on the platform set up and development of the first microfluidic chip for XAS studies with in-situ mixing of protein solutions. This second year of the project involves hands-on development and production of lab-on-a-chip devices with add-on techniques (i.e. UV-vis) and time resolved data collection on proteins at the Balder beamline. The second year will overlap with the first year of a 2nd postdoc in the project (this postdoc will drive the SAXS and SSX chip development).

As the successful candidate, you will collaborate within a multi and interdisciplinary project team at MAX IV, SciLife Lab at Uppsala University, Halmstad högskola and our expert partners involved in the project to achieve the pre-defined goals. This means that you will frequently take part and present the project work at both internal and external meetings, and will be responsible for the ongoing dissemination of the project outcomes to potential user groups within Sweden and further afield. Travel for experiments within and outside Sweden may also be necessary.

You will develop a new protein sample delivery platform that can have far-reaching implications for expanding the application of X-ray techniques to structural biology, especially for the study of the dynamics through real time in situ applications. Therefore, you should be highly motivated to learn about X-ray spectroscopy and its application to biological samples.

To summarize, this position offers a focused project within the cutting-edge field of synchrotron sample delivery mechanisms at one of the most advanced synchrotrons with a clearly defined goal to deliver a novel sample delivery platform for life science users at MAX IV in a broad collaboration between different beamlines/techniques, method experts, and expert users in academia and industry. There is the potential for high impact publications of project results.

Qualifications

PhD in relevant field with microfluidics/lab-on-a-chip experience.

Essential requirements:

-Practical (>1 year) experience of microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip, preferably within physical sciences (chemistry, physics, …).
- Knowledge of microfabrication techniques, microfluidic flow systems and equipment
- Knowledge of control (software/hardware) and interfacing of sample environment and equipment.
- UV-vis (or other) spectroscopy experience.
- Fluent in English (written and spoken).
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team and interact with a diverse group of scientists and technical staff in a dynamic environment.

Additional requirements are considered assets:

- Basic protein work and knowledge of protein chemistry.
- Computer aided design experience (solidworks preferred).3
- 3D printing experience.

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the doctoral degree or equivalent is completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

This is a 2 year temporary employment.

 

 

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment As per agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2019/200
Contact
  • Ann Terry, +46703264498
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
Published 22.Jan.2019
Last application date 18.Feb.2019 11:59 PM CET

Return to job vacancies