Project Assistant in Epigenetics and Chromatin Dynamics

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked as one of the world's leading universities. There are approximately 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 humanity.

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

Workplace Description

The research group for epigenetics and chromatin dynamics at the Department of Experimental Medical Science within the Faculty of Medicine is currently conducting research on the mechanisms underlying the epigenetic regulation of the repetitive genome in stem cell models for early human development.

The group was founded in 2022 by Dr. Christopher Douse and currently consists of seven researchers. The group collaborates closely with strategic infrastructures within the Faculty of Medicine, particularly the Lund Stem Cell Center. Our laboratory is located at BMC in Lund.

We are now looking for a driven project assistant to support ongoing laboratory projects related to the epigenetic regulation of genomic repetitions during a neurodevelopmental timeline. As a workplace, we ensure a good and safe working environment with respect and care for one another. We strive to create conditions for job satisfaction, development, and participation for all employees.

We Offer

Lund University is a government agency, 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

We are looking for a driven project assistant to work on a research project focusing on mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of repetitive sequences in stem cell models of the human brain. The project assistant will particularly support two ongoing projects in the laboratory: (i) understanding how the chromatin regulator MORC2 affects DNA methylation across genomic repetitions during brain development, and (ii) developing and implementing a new epigenomic technology based on long-read sequencing, designed to measure activation of repetitions as a function of repetition type and size.

Qualifications

Requirements for the position are:

• You have a master's degree in biomedicine, molecular/cell biology, or a related field.
• You have at least one year of practical laboratory experience, particularly in culturing human stem cells (e.g., iPSCs, NPCs), molecular biology (e.g., Western blot), extraction of proteins and nucleic acids (e.g., from cells and tissues), and functional (epi)genomics (e.g., DNA methylation analysis, CUT&RUN).
• You have a strong interest in the repetitive genome, transposable elements, and/or diseases related to repeat expansion.
• You have good knowledge and experience in molecular (neuro)biology.
• You have excellent analytical skills.
• You have very good communication skills in English (both spoken and written).
• You have good organizational and collaborative skills.

Desirable qualifications for the position are:

• Knowledge of epigenomics, transposable elements, and neurodevelopment.
• A curiosity about these subjects should be demonstrated through previous research or a well-formulated and coherent idea of what you wish to study in our research environment.
• Computational skills (e.g., data analysis in R and additional experience with command-line interfaces).

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant, through their experience and competence, is assessed to contribute to the research group and its group dynamics.

Other

The position is full-time, 100%, for six months with a desired start date of February 1, 2026, or by agreement. Interviews will be conducted during the first half of January. The interviews will be conducted either on-site or online depending on the candidate's geographical location.

How to Apply

The position is applied for via 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, diploma or equivalent, and any other documents you wish to submit (copies of grades, references, recommendation letters, etc.).

More Information about the Faculty of Medicine

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 wide field within 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 an intensive knowledge meeting place for students, teachers, and researchers from around the world.

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