Senior research engineer (2 years) - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

Project description
Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved self-eating process mainly to eliminate or recycle dysfunctional cellular organelles or unused proteins. Autophagy plays an important role in physiology including development and ageing and has been associated with diverse human diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration and pathogen infection. Autophagy modulation is implicated in the treatment of diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer. Despite extensive work, the mechanisms of autophagosome formation and autophagy regulation are not yet well established.

Using a combination of cell biology, structural biology and chemical genetic approaches, we have elucidated fundamental mechanisms underlying autophagosome formation. Our laboratory has elaborated a novel mode of action for virulent bacteria (Legionella) against host autophagy (eLife 2017). We have identified novel chemotypes for autophagy modulation and new cellular targets involved in new mechanism of autophagy regulation (Angew Chem 2017, Nat Chem Biol 2019). This project will combine cell biological, biochemical, and novel chemical and chemo-optogenetic approaches to understand the mechanism of autophagic membrane morphogenesis and bacterial interaction with host autophagy. The techniques include cell imaging, western blotting, knock-out/down, analysis of cellular phenotypes, protein expression and purification, biochemical characterization and synthetic chemistry.

The project is funded by European Research Council (ERC) and Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW). The project is interdisciplinary with strong collaborations across scientific disciplines.

Working tasks
The senior research engineer will work on, but not limited to:

• design and conduct experiments in cell biological research on autophagy
• process and analyse results and data
• communicate results with the supervisor and other group members
• elucidate the mechanisms of autophagosome formation using cell biological and biochemical methods, or develop novel chemical approaches for controlling cellular functions
• supervise students
• write research papers

Competence requirements 
A doctoral degree in cell biology or equivalent is a requirement, as well as more than 3 years of research experience at postdoctoral level in cell biology, chemical biology or related field. The candidate is expected to design and execute projects independently but also in close collaboration with the group leader and other members of the team, independence and good ability to collaborate is therefore a requirement. Good command of written and spoken English is also a requirement.

Documented experiences in autophagy research and cell biological techniques (stable cell lines, western blotting, siRNA, CRISPR-Cas and/or cell imaging) are strong merits. Documented experiences in synthetic chemistry and/or photochemical biology are strong merits. A good record of publications is desirable.

The employment is full-time and limited for two years (730 days). Starting date is according to agreement.

Application
A complete application should include;

• A cover letter including qualifications and motivation for applying (max 2 pages),
• CV including list of publications,
• Copies of degree certificates including doctoral degree,
• Names and contact details of at least two reference persons.

The application shall be done via our e-recruitment system and be submitted 5 July 2019 at the latest.

For further information, please contact Professor Yaowen Wu, yaowen.wu@umu.se

About us
The Department of Chemistry is the largest department within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 employees out of which 40 are doctoral students, and a strong and expanding research. Three major research areas, Biological Chemistry, Environmental and Biogeochemistry and Technical Chemistry collect the department's research and education in chemistry. We are also a strong partner in the KBC, Chemical-Biological Centre. For more information see www.umu.se/en/department-of-chemistry/ and www.umu.se/en/chemical-biological-centre/.