Postdoctoral Researcher in Protein Structure and Diagnostics

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

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

Job Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the postdoctoral researcher is to conduct research.

Teaching may be included in the job responsibilities, but no more than one-fifth of the working time. Within the framework of the employment, there will be an opportunity for three weeks of higher education pedagogical training.

The project has two parts: i) development of a universal cryo-Cage for structural determination of proteins that are otherwise too small for cryo-EM, and ii) tau aggregation and diagnostics. Part i) initially focuses on the development of cryo-Cages at the molecular level, including protein design, expression, purification, and validation of formed Cages using microfluidic diffusion determination, DLS, mass photometry, and cryo-TEM imaging. Once a functional design is achieved, the work will focus on structural determination using cryo-EM of a test protein with a known structure, followed by a protein with a partially known structure and finally some proteins with completely unknown structures. Part ii) initially focuses on tau aggregation, the impact of various inhibitors on its aggregation mechanism, and the development of tau-based diagnostics. The work will also include manuscript writing and supervision of bachelor’s and master’s projects.

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, one must have obtained a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree, in the relevant subject area and obtained within three years prior to the date of the employment decision. If there are special reasons, the doctoral degree may have been obtained earlier.

Documented experience and knowledge of spectroscopic and isotope-based experiments to characterize and follow the self-association of proteins into discrete aggregates and the emergence of reaction intermediates.

Documented experience and knowledge of protein expression and development of tag-free purification methods to achieve ultra-high homogeneity.

Documented experience and knowledge of cryo-EM for structural analyses of proteins and complexes between different proteins, including sample preparation and microscopy.

Documented ability to seek and obtain external funding for research.

Other Requirements:

Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.

Documented physical-chemical understanding of proteins in solution and their interactions with other proteins.

Assessment Criteria

This is a merit-based position primarily focused on research. The employment is intended as an initial step in the career, and the assessment of applicants will primarily be based on their scientific merits and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area.

When hiring a postdoctoral researcher, the following will serve as the basis for assessment:

• Good ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.
• Practical experience and knowledge of cryo-EM for structural analyses of proteins and complexes between different proteins, including sample preparation and microscopy.
• Practical experience in studies of protein solubility and theoretical knowledge of the phenomenon.
• Practical experience and knowledge of protein expression and development of tag-free purification methods to achieve ultra-high homogeneity.
• Practical experience and knowledge of spectroscopic and isotope-based experiments to characterize and follow the self-association of proteins into discrete aggregates and the emergence of reaction intermediates.
• Experience and ability to design and conduct experiments to evaluate protein self-organization.
• Ability to derive equations and write and use code to analyze data on protein self-organization and the effect of inhibitors.
• Practical experience of isotope and fluorophore labeling of proteins.
• Practical experience in measuring protein size distribution, as well as the effect of inhibitors on self-association.
• Ability to seek and obtain external funding for research.
• Pedagogical ability.

Other Merits:

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive, and independence, as well as how the applicant is assessed to complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department and contribute to its future development.

Conditions

The employment is limited to a maximum of 2 years and is full-time. The employment is limited according to the agreement, “Agreement on Fixed-Term Employment as a Postdoctoral Researcher,” between the labor market parties dated 2022-02-01 (The Swedish Agency for Government Employers, OFR, and Saco-S).

Application Instructions

The application must be written in English and include:

• Curriculum vitae (CV) including a publication list.
• A general description of previous research work and future research interests (maximum three pages).
• Contact details for at least two references.
• A copy of the doctoral degree certificate and any other certificates/grades you wish to invoke.

At the Faculty of Science, research and education are conducted in biology, astronomy, physics, geoscience, chemistry, mathematics, and environmental science. The activities are conducted within the northern university area. The faculty has about 1,900 students, 330 doctoral students, and 730 employees.

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