Postdoc in Surface Sensitive Microscopy of Biological Nanoparticles

We are looking for 1-2 postdocs to join our team in the fields of biomolecular self assembly, lipid-based surface modifications and surface sensitive microscopy for investigations of nanoparticle-assisted RNA drug delivery and medical diagnostics. You will be working in a stimulating research environment in the Nano and Biophysics division, performing research independently as well as part of the collaborative research centre FoRmulaEx involving academia and Swedish industry. Your research will apply and further develop surface sensitive microscopy methods to understand how RNA-containing nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles interact with cellular membranes. By increasing the understanding about the physicochemical mechanisms that promote the interaction and subsequent RNA esacpe, the aim is to improve the performance of clinically relevant drug delivery vehicles.

Information about the division and the project
The division of Nano and Biophysics at Chalmers is focused on method development of surface analytical tools designed to provide detailed information about intermolecular biomolecular interactions with a special focus of biomolucular interactions with cellular membranes. You will work in the group headed by Fredrik Höök, which focuses on using surface sensitive microscopy to study interactions between individual biological nanopartiles (viruses, extracellular vesicles and lipid nanoparticles) and cell-membrane mimics. You will also be an active part of the FoRmulaEx research center - a needs-driven and interdisciplinary Swedish initiative to improve the delivery efficacy of RNA-based therapeutics through collaboration between academia and industry. We address the mRNA delivery challenge, focusing on lipid nanoparticle (LNP technology) inspired by the function of extracellular vesicles and exosomes.

Major responsibilities
As a postdoc you will conduct own research, independently as well as in collaboration with others. Your research will focus on the interaction between extracellular vesicles and mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticles and sophisticated models of cellular membranes and further development of the surface analytical tools used to study biological nanoparticles and these phenomena. You will also contribute to the development of sophisticated machine-learning assisted image analysis and the design of theoretical models used to analyze the kinetics of the processes. As a postdoc, you will also have the opportunity to supervise students, get experience from project management, and engage in own professional and academic development, including, if conditions permit, our teaching activities.

Qualifications
You have a PhD degree in the field of biophysics or biophysical chemistry, alternatively nanoscience with a clear biophysics research focus. Expertise in lipid self assembly and/or surface modifications is valuable competence, and you should be interested in interdisciplinary research and drug delivery. You must have experience or willingness to learn quantitative image analysis. You are a self-motivated and curious person with a positive and cooperative mind-set, and should enjoy to work both independently and in collaborative teams. Your verbal and written communication skills in English are very good. You have experience of academic publication and presentation, and have published at least one paper as first author.

Experience in one or several of the areas of lipid self assembly, single molecule micrscopy, surface modification and analysis, nanoparticle characterisation and protein is meritorious.

To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must hold a doctoral degree awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers). 

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for two years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg .
Read more about working at Chalmers  and our benefits  for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence . Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20230045 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV:(Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

Application deadline: February 22, 2023

For questions, please contact:
Professor Fredrik Höök, fyisk
Email: [email protected]

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!

URL to this page
https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/work-with-us/vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=11375&rmlang=UK