Umeå University, Medicinska fakulteten

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.

Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace

The Faculty of Medicine, which consists of 13 departments, is responsible for biomedical research and courses in the field of nursing and health care and has an extensive research and graduate education in more than 80 subjects.

Senior research engineer, Departement of Clinical Microbiology

Temporary, 1 year position (100 %) - with possibility of extension 

The Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, is looking for a senior research engineer for a one year position. The candidate will be active in a research group aiming at elucidating the structural and functional determinants of viruses, and of virus interactions with host molecules. The long term goal is to identify and characterize molecules and mechanisms that can be developed into novel therapies.

Research Topic - project

Viruses such as adenovirus and norovirus cause infections in eyes, airways, and/or intestine etc, but viruses can also be modified or reprogrammed, and used e.g. as vaccines against other pathogens, or used for treatment of cancer and other disorders. Thus, it is of importance to understand the structural determinants of entire virions, specific viral capsid proteins, as well as virion/capsid-interactions with host molecules, in order to design/develop e.g. efficient attachment inhibitors for treatment of virus infections, and in order to design and retarget viral vectors to cells and tissues of interest.

In this project, we will study the structural features of specific types of adenoviruses, and of norovirus-like particles. We also aim at produce infectious, human noroviruses and study their structural features. We regularly identify cellular receptors for these viruses and hence we also study virus-receptor interactions, using e.g. single particle Cryo electron microscopy. The project also includes virion and protein production/purification, sample preparation, biophysical characterization, image processing, and model building.

Duties (responsibilities)

You will be responsible for carrying out research in the Niklas Arnberg lab.

You will:

• Cultivate eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells for virion and protein production.
• Purify virions and proteins to high homogeneity.
• Perform biophysical characterization of virions and proteins.
• Prepares samples for structural analysis.
• Perform single particle Cryo EM-based (and other microscopy-based) analyses of      viruses, viral capsid proteins, and/or virus/capsid-host protein complexes.
• Perform image analyses and model building.
• Work independently and in collaborations.
• Contribute to teaching/supervision of students at basic and advanced levels.
• Write/draft grant applications and manuscripts.
• Engage in scientific collaborations within and outside the group.
• Participate and contribute to scientific group meetings involving the groups and their    collaborators.

Qualifications

Applicants will be considered who have a PhD in structural biology or related areas. Expertise and documented experience of i) production and purification of virions or other microbes, viral/microbial proteins, host proteins; ii) sample preparation for structural studies; iii) single particle Cryo-EM analysis and/or X-Ray crystallography, and subsequent image analysis and model building (key asset); are strong merits. Ability to speak and write in English at a high level is required.

Research environment

This postdoc project will be carried out in a highly interdisciplinary environment. The candidate will be active in the group of Niklas Arnberg at the Department of Clinical Microbiology, and with possibility to collaborate with experts in structural biology at neighboring departments. Arnberg’s group focuses on virus-host interactions at various levels in order to i) understand virus tropism; ii) understand mechanisms of infection and pathogenesis; iii) identify targets for antiviral drug development; and iv) design and develop viral vectors for various applications.

Position summary

Full time position, one year (with possibility of extension) – start according to agreement.

Application

The application should contain:

• In one A4 page highlight your specific qualifications and motivation for the position
• Attested copy of PhD certificate
• Curriculum Vitae include full list of publications
• Letters of recommendation and name of at least 2 reference persons
The application is made electronically (via the system Varbi).

Last day to apply is: 2020-03-12

Contact

For questions, please contact:
Niklas Arnberg, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University
E-mail: niklas.arnberg@umu.se

We welcome your application!

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Enligt överenskommelse
Salary Månadslön
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-217-20
Contact
  • Niklas Arnberg, 090-7858440
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-786 53 65
  • SEKO, 090-786 52 96
  • ST, 090-786 54 31
Published 13.Feb.2020
Last application date 12.Mar.2020 11:59 PM CET

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