Postdoctoral position in mitochondrial DNA maintenance - ,

The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Umeå University, Sweden, invites applicants for a two-year Postdoctoral position in mitochondrial DNA maintenance. The position is expected to start in mid-November or according to agreement. Application deadline is September 14th, 2023.  

Description of the project 

Mitochondria are organelles that produce cellular energy in the form of ATP. The mitochondrion is a unique organelle since it contains multiple copies of a double-stranded circular DNA genome, mtDNA, that encodes for core components of the energy-producing machinery. The mtDNA-encoded subunits are essential for efficient energy production, whereby it is crucial that mtDNA is maintained intact and at a sufficient copy number.  
Given that mutations and alterations in mtDNA copy number are implicated in a number of human diseases including certain cancers, it is crucial to elucidate and understand the normal responses to mtDNA damage or loss. The aim of this project is to identify factors that are recruited to the site of mtDNA damage. 

Work responsibilities 

The candidate will use cellular and molecular biology techniques including proteomics to identify proteins recruited to sites of mtDNA damage. The project involves culturing transformed human cells and the isolation and purification of mitochondria and mtDNA, protein analysis by SDS-PAGE, Western blot and proteomics, as well as various PCR-based methods. The candidate will independently plan and execute experiments, and document, organize and present data. The work is carried out both independently and as part of an international team. 

Eligibility

 
A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate within biochemistry, cell- and molecular biology, genetics, 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.  
 
We seek highly motivated candidates with experience in cell culture, cellular fractionation and purification of mitochondria and mtDNA. Experience with hybridisation-based DNA analysis methods and long-range PCR is advantageous. You should have a strong relevant research output, as evidenced by first authorship, on publications presenting ground-breaking new research findings or new molecular biology tools.  
 
Candidates must be fluent in spoken and written English. Since the project will be of collaborative nature, candidates are expected to function in a team and therefore have a good ability to co-operate. Excellent communication skills are required for interacting effectively with colleagues and peers, including colleagues from complementary research fields. Good initiative ability is a requirement. 

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.  
 

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.  
 

Application 

The application must include: 

• personal cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position, how you can contribute to the project and in which direction you may want to develop it (no more than 1 A4 page).
• curriculum vitae that documents academic education and past and previous employments.
• publication list.
• copy of the PhD certificate and other relevant degree certificates.
• Names and contact details with e-mail addresses of two or three academic references.
• Other relevant documentation you wish to include in support of your application. 
   
  The application must be written in Swedish or English. The application must be made via our e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received latest September 14th, 2023.  

If there are questions, please contact Dr. Paulina Wanrooij at paulina.wanrooij@umu.se . 

We welcome your application!