Postdoctoral Researcher in Membrane Protein Structural Biology

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's top universities. We have around 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our effort to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of people.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all parts of our operations.

Workplace Description

The membrane protein structural biology group at the Department of Experimental Medical Science is at the forefront of its field.

With this position, we aim to deepen our work in understanding how different P-type ATPases function. The research group is led by lecturer Pontus Gourdon, and we are now seeking a driven postdoctoral researcher with experience in cryo-electron microscopy. Here is a selection of articles recently published by the group (see also tinyurl.com/vc2dsamz (https://tinyurl.com/vc2dsamz)):

• Li et al (2025) Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (32):491
• Li et al (2024) Nature Communications 15(1):9605
• Augestad et al (2024) Nature 633:704
• Guo et al (2024) Nature Communications 15(1):2690
• Zhang et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):7483
• Salustros et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):5121
• Li et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):4339
• Wiuf et al (2022) Science Advances 8, eabn4331

We Offer

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

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

Job Responsibilities and Areas of Responsibility

The overarching goal of this research program is to reveal fundamental molecular principles that govern the function of membrane proteins, particularly how interactions with subunits, co-proteins, and/or ions/small molecules (i.e., 'complexes') enable or modulate the function of membrane proteins. The intention is to study such phenomena with a focus on P-type ATPases in general, especially class IB P-type (PIB-) ATPases that transport transition metals and are crucial for ion homeostasis. To achieve this ambitious goal, we will use an interdisciplinary strategy focusing on structural biological and biochemical methods. The recruited individual will conduct experimental research focusing on cryo-EM to understand how P-type ATPases are regulated under normal conditions and in disease states.

Qualifications

Requirements for the position include:

• You must have a PhD or equivalent degree in a relevant field, such as biochemistry.
• You should have previously published articles in a peer-reviewed journal. At least one of these articles should focus on structural biology within the class IB P-type (PIB-) ATPase field, the research area relevant to this position.
• You should have experience in cloning, production, and purification of membrane proteins, preferably from several different membrane protein families.
• You should have experience in single particle cryo-EM, preparation and freezing of protein samples on grids, data collection, data processing, and structural analysis.
• You should have experience in functional analysis of membrane proteins.
• You should have experience in interdisciplinary collaborations.
• You should have excellent proficiency in English, both spoken and written.

Desirable qualifications for the position include:

• It is advantageous if you have extensive experience with the following software: CryoSPARC, Phenix, Coot, Chimera, and Pymol.
• It is advantageous if you have published articles in peer-reviewed journals where you are the first author.
• It is advantageous if you are self-driven.
• It is advantageous if you have good collaboration skills.

About the Position

The position is a fixed-term appointment for three months at 100% with a start date of May 19, 2025, or by agreement.

Interviews will be conducted via video as soon as possible after the application deadline.

How to Apply

The position is applied for through the university's recruitment system. The application should include a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the position matches your qualifications. The application should also include a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and any other documents you wish to submit (copies of transcripts, references, recommendation letters, etc.)

The Faculty of Medicine is an operational area 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 broad field within experimental basic research, patient-oriented clinical research, and health sciences research. The Faculty of Medicine, with over 1,800 employees and 2,700 students in Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg, is an intensive knowledge meeting place for students, teachers, and researchers from around the world.

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