Post doctor in NMR-based structural biology - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Chemistry seeks a postdoctor for structure determination of membrane-bound proteins of the Bcl-2 family involved in apoptosis. The employment is full-time for two years with access September 1st, 2022 or by agreement. Last day to apply is May 31, 2022.

Project description and working tasks 
This postdoctoral position is part of a Swedish council financed research project to unravel the regulation of programmed cell death at the molecular level with focus on the structure of the proteins and biological membranes involved in this important process. Important key players in the mitochondrial (intrinsic) cell death pathway are membrane-active proteins of the Bcl-2 family. The main objective of this project is to understand the function - and underlying structural properties - of these proteins and their interactions with the mitochondrial membrane environment. For this purpose we will use structural biological methods focusing on solid-state NMR spectroscopy of lipid-protein complexes, complemented by liquid-state NMR. In addition, we will also use neutron reflectometry on these lipid protein complexes). You will primarily study the membrane bound Bcl-2 proteins and their mutual interactions.  In addition, you will also be supporting NMR based work on human protein kinases which can be involved in human cancer, in part, through their regulation of Bcl-2 proteins.

The Department of Chemistry offers access to an excellent research infrastructure within the KBC environment (www.kbc.umu.se) with access to solid phase/liquid 850 MHz NMR and neutron sources in Europe (mainly ESS/ISIS). You will work with thriving small teams in a large interdisciplinary environment with excellent infrastructure.

Qualifications
To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organisations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area. Postdoctoral fellows who are to teach or supervise must have taken relevant courses in teaching and learning in higher education.

The doctoral degree should be within chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry or an equivalent subject area. 

Previous extensive experience of protein structure determination by solid-state/liquid NMR is required.  You shall have a keen interest in the area of NMR-based structural biology and be prepared to take on scientific and technological challenges. Good knowledge of English, both written and spoken, and a very good ability to write scientific publications is required. You must be creative with good teamwork skills, be initiative-driven and have a high degree of independence. 
Training and/or experience in biochemistry, structural biology and/or biophysical chemistry, as well as neutron scattering on biological samples are considered as strong merits. Previous experience with membrane proteins is highly meriting. Insight in other structural biology methods and/or biophysical approaches is of advantage.

Application
A complete application should contain the following documents:

• A cover letter including a description of your qualifications, research interests and motivation for applying, and your contact information (maximum 2 pages)

• A curriculum vitae, including a publication list 

• Copies of your PhD thesis and relevant publications 

• Verified copies of degree certificates or equivalent alternatively documentation providing information on when doctoral degree is expected to be obtained, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades 

• Name and contact information of at least two reference persons 

The application can be written in Swedish or English. Applications must be submitted via our electronic recruiting system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. The closing date is May 31, 2022. 

For more information please contact Professor Gerhard Gröbner, phone: +4690-7866346, email: gerhard.grobner@umu.se

Information about the department
Department of Chemistry is the largest department in the Faculty of Science and Technology, with approximately 200 employees, including about 40 doctoral students, and with a strong and expanding research. Three major areas of research; Biological Chemistry, Environmental and Biogeochemistry and Technical Chemistry, represents the research and chemistry education of our department. We are also a strong partner in KBC, The Chemical-Biological Centre. For more information about working at Umeå University: www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/. At Umeå University we have a vibrant postdoc community that brings together postdoc across disciplines by arranging carrier promoting activities (umeapostdocsociety.se).