Post-doctoral fellow in physical chemistry (PA2023/3750)

Subject description

COMMONS is a Center of Excellence funded by the Swedish Research Council, with the theme “Commonalities in membrane molecular interactions” . The overarching aim of COMMONS is to provide a multifaceted scientific environment focusing on unifying physicochemical processes of key importance for the function of cellular membranes and their effects on other biomolecules. The COMMONS  Center brings together methodological and theoretical expertise from Lund University, Chalmers and Copenhagen University, and will serve as host for a Graduate School and a Visting Professor program to  attract international experts from a broad field of biomembrane science.

Examples of unifying physicochemical processes that determine the function of cellular membranes include the cooperative molecular mechanisms that drive amyloid plaque formation in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and atherosclerosis. The pathogenicity of amyloids is believed to involve membrane association and remodeling, mechanisms that share generic features with the host defense peptides in combating infection. Further, cooperative interactions and membrane remodeling generate kinetically trapped states, which can serve as both a source and trap of free energy. In fact, all these phenomena served as basic design principles behind the function of the revolutionary lipid nanoparticles that helped mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elucidation of detailed modes-of-actions related to specific medical challenges, and the use of such knowledge in therapeutic development, requires system-specific effects to be addressed. Future progress in the areas above and beyond will also require  in-depth understanding of underlying general physicochemical mechanisms. To meet the need of competence and scientific insights and discoveries in these rapidly growing research fields, the COMMONS Center will be organized around four thematic areas representing generic mechanisms that are ubiquitously present in cell-membrane biology:

A. Pathways to membrane remodeling, serving cellular uptake and communication;

B. Kinetic traps, acting both as sources and sinks of cellular free energy;

C. Cooperative phenomena to govern molecular assembly in biomembrane systems

D. Membrane-mediated liquid-liquid phase separation of biomacromolecules.

The COMMONS Center will be launched in January 2024, and we here annouce at least one postdoc position at Lund University to be hosted by the Center. The postdoctoral researchers will be able to develop their scientific skills and knowledge within the interdisciplinary Center, which will also impact on outcomes from the research projects.  The COMMONS Center is led by a group of PI’s from the participating Universities (Emma Sparr, Sara Linse, Fredrik Höök, Martin Malmsten) whom together with additional scientists and guest professors within COMMONS will guide the projects and the training of the recruited postdocs towards leading academic or industrial research positions.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

You will perform research within at least one of the thematic areas listed above. You will also contribute to the development of the broader thematic themes and collaborate with several members of the COMMONS Center, likely involving several of the participating universities. The research can be experimental and/or theoretical, and and be executed in an environment offering access to instruments for state-of-the art methods, including optical spectroscopy, scattering techniques, surface-based techniqyes, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, single molecule fluorescence microscopy, mass spectrometry, and electron microscopy. The Center also encourages research with a strong foundation in theoretical modelling and simulations to evolve in close connection to the experimental activities.

The main duty of the successful candidate will be to execute experimental research in one of the areas outline above. Additional tasks include: 

• Coordination of collaborations within the subject area with international partners
• Co-supervision of degree projects and doctoral students enrolled in the COMMONS research school

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Strong documented research experience of experimental or theoretical studies within the areas of biophysics, physical chemistry or equivalent.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Additional assessment criteria:

• Hands-on experience with research within biophysics, physical chemistry or equivalent.
• Experienced in theoretical or experimental methodologies for investigating biomolecular self-assembly at surfaces or in bulk solutions, including the experimental methods listed above.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• Résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• A general description of past research and future research interests, and a motivation of why you wish to perform a postdoc within the COMMONS Center and how this matches your own research interests and scientific background (no more than two pages)
• Contact information of at least two references,
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.