Postdoctoral position in molecular biology/biochemistry - ,

The Department of Radiation Sciences is, in terms of research, a dynamic and internationally successful environment in diagnostic radiology, oncology, cognitive neuroscience, radiation physics and bio-medical engineering. The department belongs to the Faculty of Medicine at Umeå University.

This appointment is a part of a strategic initiative from the Faculty of Medicine and aims to stimulate innovative and interdisciplinary research. The postholder will work in a highly collaborative team consisting of basic neuroscientists, behavioural biologists and clinical paediatric professionals, who aim to take principles of phenotypic behavioural plasticity and apply these to early human development. The appointment is a full-time, fixed-term position for two years within the overall vision of transforming the understanding of mental illness by exploiting advances in biological timing, photobiology and developmental neuroscience. Our Application deadline 11 march 2022. 

Description of the project

The postdoc position is related to a new collaborative project between researchers at the Dept. of Radiation Sciences and Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå university, funded by the Faculty of Medicine. The project concerns research into environmental impact of seasonal daylight dose onto early human physiology. For example, phototherapy is known for its efficacy in alleviating seasonal depression in adults but whether different daylight lengths during early childhood instigate affective imbalance in later life is unclear. This two-year project is dedicated to understand the influence of light dose on gene expression patterns, pupil sensitivity and behaviour, exploiting the extreme natural daylength changes, such as from long-day photoperiod to short-day photoperiod and vice versa here in Västerbotten. The team runs a systematic and objective data collection pipeline for sleep/activity and light exposure in 3-year old children of the Northpop birth cohort and performs sleep, activity and light analysis routinely all year round. The project benefits from this recruitment and will expand the daily human-based phenotypic characterisation with non-invasive assays of clock gene expression signatures to quantify biological timing adaptations to long-day and short-day patterns across 24-h day periods. Sensitivity to light will be assessed using pupillary light reflex and behavioural measures by implementing parental-reported sensory profile screening across different perceptual domains. Complementary experimental studies are carried out in mouse models, including genetic analysis.

Work responsibilities

• Human oral mucosa collection in children and quantification of clock- and clock-related genes
•  Gene expression assays, real-time RT-PCR, optimisation and validation of assays for relative quantification for comparisons
• Possibility to examine complementary experimental assays, including genetic analysis
• Designing and using advanced time series analysis
• Statistical mixed effects modelling
• Operating pupil measurements, actigraphic data and parental questionnaires
• Organising logistics with parents for repeated data collection in children  
• Seeking ethical approval and adhering to accepted ethical standards in research

Eligibility 

A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate in molecular biology/biochemistry or related discipline is eligible for appointment as postdoctoral researcher. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time at which the appointment decision is made.

• Solid background in genetics and biochemistry of biological rhythms
• Experiences with designing and using advanced time series analysis
• Proficient knowledge of statistical modelling
• Proven experience and competence in human research, including interpersonal communication with young children
• Proficient in Swedish and English

Additional useful qualifications 

Since appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is a career-development position for junior researchers, we are primarily interested in applicants who completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, an applicant who has completed their degree earlier than that may be considered. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, clinical practice, appointments of trust for a trade union organisation or other similar circumstances, and for relevant duties/assignments within the subject area. 

• Strong quantitative and technical skills
• Interest in mental health and photobiology
• Proficiency in programming (e.g. R) is desirable 

More information about the position

The appointment is a full-time, fixed-term position for two years in accordance with the terms of contract for fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher from 1 February 2022. 

More information about the groups’ research can be found on our websites:

https://www.umu.se/en/staff/katharina-wulff/

http://www.katlab.org/

https://www.umu.se/en/staff/lena-gunhaga/

https://www.umu.se/en/staff/wayne-davies/

Application

The application must include:

• A brief description of your research interests and a statement describing why you are interested in the position.
• CV
• List of publications
• Degree certificate from doctoral studies and other relevant degrees
• Contact details of two reference persons

The application must be written in English. The application must be made via our e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received latest 11 March 2022. 

Other information 

For additional information about the position, please contact Katharina Wulff, katharina.wulff@umu.se

More about us

For more information about the Department of Radiation Sciences, please visit our website

https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-radiation-sciences/

We look forward to receiving your application.