Senior research engineer - ,

The Department of Chemistry is seeking a senior research engineer within the project about the mechanisms of autophagy. Last day to apply is February 28.

Project description
Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved self-eating process mainly purposed 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.

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 pneumophila, Vibrio cholerae) affecting host autophagy (eLife 2017, JCS 2020). We have identified novel chemotypes for autophagy modulation and new cellular pathways involved in new mechanisms of autophagy regulation (Angew Chem 2017, Nat Chem Biol 2019, Autophagy 2021) . This project will combine cell biological, biochemical, and novel chemical and chemo-optogenetic approaches to understand the mechanism of canonical and noncanonical autophagy. The techniques used in the project include cell imaging, western blotting, knock-out/down, analysis of cellular phenotypes, protein expression and purification, biochemical and structural characterization.

The project is funded by European Research Council (ERC) and the 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 molecular and cell biological research on autophagy;
• process and analyse results and data;
• communicate results with the supervisor and other group members;
• elucidate the mechanisms of autophagy using chemical, cell biological and biochemical methods;
• supervise students;
• write research papers.

Qualifications
The required qualification is a doctoral degree in cell biology, biochemistry, or equivalent. The candidate should have several years of research experience at postdoctoral level in cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology or related field. The candidate is expected to design and execute projects independently but also in close collaboration with 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 (cell imaging, stable cell lines, western blotting, siRNA, CRISPR-Cas, protein expression and purification, and/or protein chemistry) are strong merits as well as an excellent record of publications.

The employment is full-time until notice. Starting date is August 1, 2022 or according to agreement.

Application
Your complete application should include:

• A cover letter including qualifications and motivation for applying (max 2 pages),
• CV including list of publications,
• Doctoral degree certificate and other relevant certificates,
• Name and contact details of at least two reference persons.

Applications must be submitted via our e-recruitment system Varbi no later than February 28, 2022.

For more information please contact Professor Yaowen Wu, email: yaowen.wu@umu.se.
Website: https://www.umu.se/en/staff/yaowen-wu/.

About us
The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 staff of which approximately 40 doctoral students, and a strong 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 the department: https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-chemistry/. For more information about working at Umeå University: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/.