Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology

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 Department of Chemistry is looking to hire a senior research engineer. The employment is intended to start on 24 Feb 2022 and will involve research in an ongoing project concerning pharmaceuticals in the environment and their effect on bacterial communities.

Project description
This research project is part of a larger research initiative investigating interactions between pharmaceuticals and microbial communities in aqueous environmental systems.

Work tasks
You will be working with experimental analysis investigating chemical composition of bacterial biofilms and how it is influenced by low levels of pharmaceuticals. The experimental work consists of characterization using vibrational spectroscopy of bacterial biofilms as well as planktonic cells. It may also include surface characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The work involves cultivation of bacterial cells and biofilms both as static cultures and in flow cell systems, chemical experimentation, treatment of spectroscopic data, interpretation of analysis results, authoring of scientific reports as well as compiling suggestions for continued experimental analysis.

Qualifications
A PhD degree in chemistry or equivalent is a requirement. Documented experience of scientific research is required, which includes planning and conducting experiments, analysis of data and results in light of recent scientific literature in the research area. Experience in vibrational spectroscopy analyses of bacterial systems as well as chemical and microbiological methodologies (e.g. including sterile work, bacterial cultivation, confocal microscopy, chemical analysis, wet chemical work and data analysis) is also required. The work will be conducted using English as working language, thus, fluency both in spoken and written English is required.

We are interested in candidates who have strong personal abilities with respect to creativity and cooperation. We believe you are autonomous, value high quality, have a problem solving analytical ability, as well as specialist knowledge with respect to vibrational spectroscopy of bacterial systems.

It is a merit if you have postdoctoral research experience as well as experience in chemical and microbiological work both on aerobic and anaerobic systems, surface chemical analysis using XPS, biofilms in flow systems, and student supervision. Furthermore, experience of research on environmental biofilms is a merit.

Application
Your application should contain a personal letter with motivation for why you are applying for the job, as well as how your previous research experience fits the position advertised. Furthermore, it should contain a CV, doctoral degree certificate, a publication list, a copy of the relevant diploma and other relevant certificates/grades as well as names and contact details of two reference persons.

Applications must be submitted via our e-recruitment system no later than December 29th 2021.

Terms of employment
The employment is full time and a fixed-term employment. The employment will start 2022-02-24, or as otherwise agreed, and end 30 September 2022.

Information
For more information please contact Associate Professor Madeleine Ramstedt madeleine.ramstedt@umu.se, phone +46 90 786 6328 Information about the research group can be found via this link: https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/madeleine-ramstedt-lab/.

The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 employees, of which approximately 50 doctoral students, and a strong and expanding research. The Department has three major research areas: Biological Chemistry, Environmental and Biogeochemistry, and Technical Chemistry. We are also a strong partner in the KBC, Chemical-Biological Center.

For more information about working at Umeå University, https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 2022-02-24, or as otherwise agreed
Salary Monthly
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-1744-21
Contact
  • Madeleine Ramstedt, 090-786 63 28
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-786 53 65
  • SEKO, 090-786 52 96
  • ST, 090-786 54 31
Published 01.Dec.2021
Last application date 29.Dec.2021 11:59 PM CET

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