Postdoctoral position at the Department of molecular biology

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

The Department of Molecular Biology seeks a postdoctor in a systematic structure-function analysis of conserved hypothetical proteins of malaria parasites for a temporary position for two years on full time. The position is expected to start during the first half of 2024 or upon agreement. 

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites whose genome code for around 5000 genes, out of these around 30% genes code for proteins with no predicted function based on their sequence similarity (homology) with proteins from other organism with known function. These proteins are collectively known as conserved hypothetical proteins and the lack of functional prediction has to date hampered our understanding of their function. However, a subset of these proteins is known to be essential for parasite growth and thereby presents a catalogue of new potential drug targets.

One way to predict protein function independently of sequence homology is to determine the protein structure, since proteins that perform similar structures have similar 3D shape. The recent arrival of the Deepmind AlphaFold structure prediction tool uniquely predicts protein 3D structure in silico for entire proteomes of organisms including several Plasmodium species. This now offers a completely new avenue in determining gene function.

This project will use the EBI/EMBL AlphaFold Protein Structure Database and Dali Protein Structure Database Comparison Server to predict the function of conserved hypothetical Plasmodium proteins. Based on in silico structure-functional predictions the successful candidate will select up to 10 proteins to study in-depth. Firstly, reverse genetics will be used to epitope-tag the proteins followed by microscopy and proteomics to study protein localisation and interaction partners. Secondly, the proteins will be expressed and biochemically characterised in vitro.

You will carry out experimental and bioinformatic work, design experiments, present your findings, write manuscripts, help supervising students and actively contribute to a collegial lab culture.

A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate in biological sciences (e.g. biology, biochemistry, medicine or biomedicine) is eligible for appointment as postdoctoral researcher. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time at which the appointment decision is made. 

You should be highly motivated and able to work productively in a team as well as independently. Excellent communication skills for interacting effectively with senior colleagues and peers are required. Proficiency in written and spoken English also required. Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

The successful candidate should have experience in molecular cloning methods such as gene targeting vector design and construction. You should also have experience in light and/or electron microscopy, or protein expression, localisation and interaction work.

Since appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is a career-development position for junior researchers, we are primarily interested in applicants who completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, an applicant who has completed their degree earlier than that may be considered. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, clinical practice, appointments of trust for a trade union organisation or other similar circumstances, and for relevant duties/assignments within the subject area. 

Experience in cultivating and transfecting malaria parasites is highly desirable, so is experience with handling of laboratory animals (rodents).

The appointment is a full-time, fixed-term position for two years in accordance with the terms of contract for fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher.

You will be based in the lab of Ellen Bushell at the Department of molecular biology, Umeå University. The Bushell lab is based at the Department of molecular biology and is a part of The Laboratory of Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS, http://www.mims.umu.se/ ), which is the Swedish node within the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine. The project is co-supervised by Ronnie Berntsson at the Department of medical biochemistry and Biophysics.

More information about the group's research can be found on our website (http://www.bushelllab.com/ ). For more information about the Department of Molecular biology please visit our website www.umu.se/en/department-of-molecular-biology . 

The application must include:

• A brief description of your research interests and a statement describing why you are interested in the position.
• CV
• List of publications
• Degree certificate from doctoral studies and other relevant degrees
• Contact details of two reference persons

The application must be written in Swedish or English. The application must be made via our e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received latest 8 March 2024.

We look forward to receiving your application!