Postdoctoral Researcher in Microbial Bioinformatics

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked as one of the world's leading universities. It has approximately 47,000 students and more than 8,800 staff in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of humanity.

Lund University welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles in all aspects of our operations.

Workplace Description

At the Atkinson lab, we are interested in making discoveries about the function and structure of proteins, focusing on bacterial immune system components that protect against bacteriophages and other mobile genetic elements.

We primarily work with bioinformatics methods, developing our own tools and utilizing the vast amount of available genome and predicted proteome sequences. The Atkinson lab is part of the Faculty of Medicine at Lund University, within the Department of Experimental Medical Science (EMV) and is affiliated with the Lund University Virus Centre (LUVC). You can read more about our group on our lab page here: atkinson-lab.com (https://atkinson-lab.com/), about the department here: Department of Experimental Medical Science (https://www.medicine.lu.se/faculty-medicine-lund-university/departments/department-experimental-medical-science), and about LUVC here: LUVC (https://www.virology.lu.se/).

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our group at the Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University.

Project Description

As a postdoc in the Atkinson group, you will work on the identification and characterization of bacterial immune systems and host manipulation factors in phages. The project may involve computational analyses, experimental methods, or a combination of both, depending on the candidate's expertise and interests. There will also be opportunities for collaborations within interdisciplinary projects. Our group collaborates closely with the experimental Hauryliuk lab and offers a highly interactive and collaborative research environment where computational and experimental expertise is integrated to address key questions in the field.

Responsibilities and Duties

At Lund University, a postdoctoral appointment is intended to provide opportunities for scientific and pedagogical merit. Primarily, there is room for merit in research, but also for some higher education pedagogical training. Teaching may also be included in the responsibilities.

• Conduct research in microbial bioinformatics or related areas.
• Develop and implement methods for data analysis and interpretation.
• Design and conduct experiments or computational studies as needed.
• Collaborate with researchers both within and outside the group.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication and present results at conferences.

Qualifications

Requirements for the position include:

• PhD or equivalent foreign degree in bioinformatics, microbiology, or a related field. The PhD must be obtained by the time the employment decision is made.
• Strong ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.
• Pedagogical ability (experience in education, supervision, or teaching).
• Experience with computational and/or experimental methods for studying microbial systems.
• Proficiency in relevant laboratory techniques and/or bioinformatics tools.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively (both within the team and with external partners).
• Good command of English in both spoken and written form.
• Excellent communication and scientific writing skills.
• Self-motivated and capable of taking initiative to drive projects.

Desirable qualifications include:

• The applicant should have obtained their degree no more than three years prior to the application deadline.
• Previous relevant experience in computational or experimental phage biology.

The assessment of applicants will primarily be based on their scientific merits and potential as researchers. Special emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area.

We Offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means you receive special benefits, generous vacation, and a favorable pension plan.

You will benefit from our broad international network of partners, providing opportunities to collaborate with leading experts in the field.

Read more on the university's website about working with us working with us (https://www.lu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss).

About the Position

The position is a fixed-term appointment for two years, full-time (100%), starting 2025-05-05 or by agreement.

The position is based at Lund University in Sweden, and you are expected to perform your work on-site in Lund.

The position is limited to a minimum of two years, maximum three years according to the Swedish Agency for Government Employers (https://www.arbetsgivarverket.se/avtal-och-skrifter/avtal/avtal-om-tidsbegransning-anstallning-som-postdoktor) regarding fixed-term employment as a postdoc. A postdoctoral position is intended as an initial step in the career and as an opportunity to further deepen and broaden research competence.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• A one-page personal letter describing research interests, relevant experience, and motivation for applying for the position
• A short CV including a publication list
• A copy of the PhD diploma
• Contact information for at least two references

We look forward to your application!

The Faculty of Medicine is an area of operation within Lund University, responsible for education and research in medicine, care, and health. Education is conducted in close collaboration with healthcare and is well anchored in the faculty's strong research tradition. The faculty's research spans a wide field of experimental basic research, patient-oriented clinical research, and health science research. The Faculty of Medicine, with over 1,800 employees and 2,700 students in Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg, is a knowledge-intensive meeting place for students, teachers, and researchers from around the world.

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