Vacant job

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. We have approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 staff members in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our strive to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of human life.

Subject Description

The Centre for Molecular Protein Science (CMPS), Department of Chemistry, brings together researchers active in biochemistry, molecular biophysics, structural biology, as well as physical and theoretical chemistry. Our research encompasses experimental and theoretical studies of biological material. We address molecular questions in biological systems and study biological and designed proteins using a combination of classical and advanced techniques, including optical and NMR spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, light and X-ray scattering, cryo-electron and fluorescence microscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The experimental and theoretical methods used often have their origins in physics. Significant effort is dedicated to the self-organization and co-aggregation of proteins and their interactions with other biomolecules. You will join Sara Linse's research group at CMPS. The group primarily conducts research on peptides and proteins linked to diseases caused by the aggregation of the peptide or protein into fibrils. Characterization of these systems is performed in both pure and complex samples. The work focuses on the development of a universal cryo-Cage for structural analysis of otherwise inaccessible proteins based on EF-hand complementation.

Job Responsibilities

The role of Project Assistant primarily involves assisting in and conducting research. The project has two parts: i) the development of a universal cryo-Cage for structural determination of proteins that are otherwise too small for cryo-EM, and ii) the effect of chaperones on amyloid formation. Part i) initially focuses on the molecular-level development of cryo-Cages, including protein design, expression, purification, and validation of formed Cages using microfluidic diffusional sizing, 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) focuses on the chaperone DNAJB6b and its influence on the aggregation mechanisms of various amyloid proteins. The work will also include the production and purification of mutant variants of DNAJB6b, manuscript writing, and supervision of students at all levels.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Chemistry, or a foreign degree assessed as equivalent to a Master's degree in Chemistry.
• Documented experience and knowledge of protein expression and development of tag-free purification methods to achieve ultra-high homogeneity, particularly regarding cryo-cage subunits, tau, α-synuclein, amyloid β peptide, and DNAJB6b.
• Documented experience and knowledge of spectroscopic experiments to characterize and monitor protein self-association into discrete and linear aggregates, as well as the influence of chaperones and antibodies.
• Practical experience in measuring protein size distribution.
• Documented experience in characterizing protein structures and stability.
• Documented experience in characterizing protein mass and identity using mass spectrometry.
• Experience and ability to design and perform experiments to evaluate protein self-organization. Practical experience in fluorophore labeling of proteins.
• Documented experience in lab management, including equipment responsibility and supervision in biochemical/biophysical laboratories of students at all levels.
• Documented experience in Python programming for data analysis.

Other Merits:

• Very good skills in English, both spoken and written.
• Good ability to develop and carry out biophysical laboratory work of excellent quality.
• Pedagogical skills.

We will place great emphasis on personal suitability. Consideration will also be given to good teamwork skills, drive, and independence, as well as how the applicant's experience and competence complement and strengthen the administrative work within the unit/department, and contribute to its future development.

Terms of Employment

Permanent position starting 2026-07-01 or as agreed. The position is 100 % full-time.

Application Instructions

The application should include a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application must also include a CV, contact details for at least two references, a copy of the Master's degree certificate, and any other certificates/grades you wish to include.

At the Faculty of Science, research and education are conducted in astronomy, biology, physics, earth sciences, chemistry, mathematics, medical radiation physics, environmental science, and physical geography. The activities are carried out in the northern university area. The Faculty has approximately 1,900 students, 330 doctoral students, and 730 employees.

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