Postdoctoral position in Structural Biology

Published: 2023-01-17

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 54,000 students, more than 7,500 employees and a turnover of around SEK 8 billion.

The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology is organized into seven research programmes which all focus on different areas of cell and molecular biology: Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biophysics, Molecular Evolution, Molecular Systems Biology and Structural Biology. The scientific basis of what we do lies in biology, but our research overlaps with other areas such as medicine, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, engineering sciences and physics. In total, we are over 200 staff and ~60 Ph.D. students. Please read more about the department’s work at https://icm.uu.se .

The advertised position is available in the group of Professor Maria Selmer. Maria Selmer leads a structural biology group where single-particle cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography are used in combination with a broad range of biochemical and biophysical techniques to understand structure-function relationships in translation and antibiotic resistance as well as in protein evolution and adaptation. The successful candidate will work in international and dynamic environment with extensive opportunities to learn new techniques. We have a well-equipped lab and easy access to a local cryo-EM facility as well as a national cryo-EM facility in Stockholm. Please see https://www.icm.uu.se/structural-biology/selmer-lab/ for more information about the research group.

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Duties
We are looking for postdoc with good track record and motivation to identify and solve scientific problems. The person will work within a VR-funded project aiming to clarify structural and mechanistic aspects of how rRNA methyltransferases contribute to ribosome biogenesis and antibiotic resistance through specific recognition of transiently available substrates. This will involve ribosome purification, expression and purification of proteins, characterization with biochemical and biophysical methods, structural studies with primarily single-particle cryo-EM, and possibly single-molecule in vivo tracking.

The researcher will work in close collaboration with PhD students and postdocs with partly complementary competences, but is expected to run his or her project independently. The project will involve collaboration with the Johansson lab (https://www.icm.uu.se/molecular-systems-biology/johansson-lab/ ). Strong merits with documented lab skills, motivation and good collaboration skills are required.

Requirements
PhD degree in structural biology, biochemistry or biophysics or a related area, alternatively a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in these topics. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

• Documented experience of work with ribosomes and/or RNA, involving purification and functional or structural characterization
• Documented experience of structural biology and/or biophysical methods. Experience in or interest to learn single-particle cryo-EM
• Demonstrated scientific excellence; evidenced by publication track record as well as track record of presenting at national and international meetings
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Good collaboration skills

The application should include:

• Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
• Degree certificate
• CV including publication list
• Contact information for three reference persons

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to central collective agreement. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date March 1 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Maria Selmer, tel. 018-328877, maria.selmer@icm.uu.se

Please submit your application by 16 February 2023, UFV-PA 2023/109

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Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Placement: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology

Type of employment: Full time , Temporary position

Pay: Individual salary

Number of positions: 1

Working hours: 100%

Town: Uppsala

County: Uppsala län

Country: Sweden

Union representative: Seko Universitetsklubben seko@uadm.uu.se
ST/TCO tco@fackorg.uu.se
Saco-rådet saco@uadm.uu.se

Number of reference: UFV-PA 2023/109

Last application date: 2023-02-16