Senior research engineer in molecular biology at the infrastructure CBCS - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

Do you want to contribute to top-quality science and innovation within the life sciences? Do you also have a Ph.D. in molecular biology or a related area and are service-oriented and communicative? Now, the CBCS node at Umeå University offers a chance to be part of, and develop, a national infrastructure in the field. Welcome to apply before 2022-04-29.

Description
Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (www.cbcs.se) helps Swedish researchers with projects in chemical biology in all areas of life sciences such as the identification and development of biologically active small molecules. The infrastructure has been active since 2010 with two nodes, one at Umeå University and one at Karolinska Institute, and has been financed by SciLifeLab (www.scilifelab.se) and the host universities.  Starting in 2022, CBCS is one of the Swedish Research Council's infrastructures of national interest.  This means that the existing operations will be strengthened, and new service areas will be included through four new nodes – at Lund, Uppsala, Linköping, and Gothenburg Universities respectively.  The infrastructure is therefore genuinely national with strong and synergistic collaborations between the different nodes. It offers collaborative service and guidance to the Swedish research community within the development of biological test systems (assays), screening of thousands of small molecules through these assays, and follow-up and further development of the most promising biologically active small molecules. Biologically active small molecules can be used as research tools to study the biological processes they affect from a basic scientific perspective but can also be starting points for further drug development. Since its inception in 2010, the infrastructure has been involved in hundreds of publications, many patents, and new companies in the field. An important part of succeeding as an infrastructure on many nodes is to create an open and inclusive atmosphere. With the strongly expanded funding from 2022, we want to maintain this atmosphere while expanding and developing the infrastructure further to offer the Swedish research community the best possible service and act as a catalyst for new scientific breakthroughs and innovations within the life sciences. As part of this work, CBCS node at Umeå University is now looking for a versatile biologist.

Work tasks
The activities will mainly consist of independently establishing and performing assay development of primary assays to a screening format to develop small-molecule probes for efficacy across cell lines. You will also independently evaluate and compare different assay formats and establish and perform cell-based high content and biochemical screens. Working in a BSL-2 environment with cells, organoids, and complex disease models will be done regularly as well as analyzing large datasets to produce high-quality data. Being responsible for managing projects in close collaboration with researchers from diverse backgrounds is an important part of the work. You will also actively contribute to the further development of CBCS. Finally, you will operate in an international team in a vibrant research environment, in close collaboration with researchers from diverse backgrounds and with frequent interactions with infrastructure users.

Qualifications
We are looking for a candidate that has a Ph.D. in molecular biology or a relevant area. Validated experience in analysis development of cell-based and biochemical analyses is a requirement and preferably in 96 and 384 well formats. Extensive laboratory experience, including cell culture, molecular biology techniques such as immunofluorescence staining, cell-based analysis development, and optimization of lab protocols. General computer skills and excellent communication skills in written and spoken English are important, as are excellent documentation skills. 

Experience in flow cytometry is a merit, as well as experience in target identification and validation. Knowledge of microscopy techniques such as fluorescence and, above all, high content is desirable. Biochemical and cell-based analysis development and experience in screening small molecules from the pharmaceutical industry or academic screening centers is considered a strong merit. Experience in laboratory automation and an ability to troubleshoot screening equipment, including robotic liquid handlers and plate readers, will also be considered valuable. 

In order to both thrive and succeed in the role, you enjoy working independently as well as in a group in a structured and efficient way with several projects in parallel. You have a strong passion for daily experimental work and an aptitude for analyzing, managing, interpreting and reporting high-quality data. Furthermore, you should have an interest in learning new methods and instrumentation. It is important that you as a person are attracted to being part of a larger infrastructure and are service-oriented. The successful candidate must have a staff-scientist mindset, be service-oriented and dedicated to high-quality and reproducible data production, have very good collaborative skills, be flexible, and be able to work independently in a structured and efficient way.

Special emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

About us
Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest universities with more than 36,000 students and 4,200 employees. The university combines high-quality education and world-leading research in several disciplines. Umeå University is also the site of the pioneering discovery of the gene scissors CRISPR-Cas9 – a revolution in genetic engineering awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campus makes it easy to meet, collaborate and exchange knowledge, which benefits a dynamic and open culture. Are you interested in knowing more about Umeå University as a workplace read more at: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/.

CBCS' operations at Umeå University are located at the Department of Chemistry, which is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 employees and a strong and expanding research. The department is located within the Chemical Biological Centre (https://www.umu.se/en/chemical-biological-centre/) at Umeå University and provides excellent facilities and state-of-art equipment and platforms in a creative, inspiring, international, and highly interactive environment. For more information, see http://www.umu.se/en/department-of-chemistry/.

Application 
Your application must contain a personal letter with motivation for why you are applying for the job, a CV, a copy of the relevant diploma, and other relevant certificates/grades. Names and contact information to at least two reference persons will be requested later in the recruitment process. 

Applications must be submitted via our e-recruitment system no later than April 29 2022. 

Terms of employment
The employment is full-time and is limited to 23 months with the possibility of extension. Probationary period may be applied. Access as soon as possible or as agreed.

Information
For more information please contact associate professor Erik Chorell, e-mail: erik.chorell@umu.se.