Postdoctoral Researcher in Structural Degradation of Pea Proteins

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities. There are approximately 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 humanity.

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

Job Responsibilities

The central aim will be to comprehensively characterize the structural degradation of pea proteins during in vitro digestion.

The specific tasks range from laboratory practices (preparation of an in vitro fermentation scheme for extracted pea proteins, characterization using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE); biochemical analyses) to advanced structural analysis using small-angle X-ray scattering (laboratory SAXS, time-resolved SAXS, SEC-SAXS).

A key part will particularly involve the preparation and execution of experimental campaigns at synchrotron facilities such as MAX IV (Lund), DESY/EMBL (Hamburg, Germany), and ESRF (Grenoble, France), establishing a suitable data analysis framework (Python-based) focused on the measured large datasets, and subsequent scientific analysis and interpretation.

The research group has deep expertise and a strong track record in large-scale facility research at synchrotron and neutron facilities, such as MAX IV and ESS in Lund. The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to experience these unique and world-leading scientific environments during experimental campaigns and enhance general soft skills by collaborating on these team-based experimental campaigns and writing competitive proposals for beamtime. The research project will develop expertise in data analysis and scientific computing as a key skill in the era of big data.

The work will be carried out in a team of PhD students and project students, postdoctoral researchers, and supervisors, focusing on optimizing protein extraction for subsequent tunable formation of protein gels. We strive for an interactive and team-based research program, where each member is encouraged to actively contribute ideas and expertise to a common scientific advancement. The postdoc will have the opportunity to participate in national and international workshops and conferences – not only to present and disseminate research but also to strengthen personal networks with other researchers and collaborators.

We aim for the postdoc to grow as an active and independent researcher at the interdisciplinary boundary between biological and soft matter and synchrotron science.

In the job responsibilities as a researcher, the main task 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.

Eligibility

Eligible for appointment as a postdoc is someone who has obtained a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree, in the subject area of the employment and who has obtained the degree no more than three years prior to the date of the employment decision. If there are special reasons, the doctoral degree may have been obtained earlier.

Other Requirements:

• Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.
• Good knowledge and skills relevant to the tasks.
• Ability to work independently and the ability to formulate and tackle scientific problems.

Assessment Criteria

This is a merit-based position primarily focused on research. The appointment is intended as an initial step in the career, and the assessment of the 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 appointing a postdoc, the following will form the basis for assessment:

• Good ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.
• Pedagogical ability.

Additional Assessment Criteria:

• Practical experience with laboratory and synchrotron SAXS experiments
• Experience with time-resolved SAXS and SEC-SAXS
• Experience in data analysis of large datasets on structural data
• Scientific scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB)
• Experience with optical and fluorescence microscopy
• Solid knowledge of laboratory techniques such as SEC, SDS-PAGE, and rheology
• Good general experience in chemical laboratories
• Motivation and documented ability to actively contribute to an interdisciplinary and international research environment in the core research group as well as outgoing collaborations is meritorious.

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

Conditions

The employment is limited to 3 years and is full-time. The employment is limited according to the agreement, “Agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoc,” 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 including a publication list.
• A general description of previous research work and future research interests (max three pages).
• Contact information 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 at eight departments located within the northern university area. The faculty has about 1,500 students, 330 doctoral students, and 700 employees.

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