Postdoc position to study microsporidian biology (cryo-EM/ET)

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest institutions of higher education with over 35,000 students and 4,200 faculty and staff. We are characterised by world-leading research in several scientific fields and a multitude of educations ranked highly in international comparison. Umeå University is also the site of the pioneering discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic scissors – a revolution in genetic engineering that has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

At Umeå University, everything is nearby. Our cohesive campus environment makes it easy to meet, collaborate and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture where we rejoice in each other’s successes.

The Faculty of Medicine, which consists of 13 departments, is responsible for biomedical research and courses in the field of nursing and health care and has an extensive research and graduate education in more than 80 subjects. 

Barandun Laboratory (www.barandunlab.org) seeks a postdoctoral researcher with a background in protein biochemistry and extensive structural biology expertise (cryo-EM and cryo-ET). The employment is placed at The Department of Molecular Biology on full-time for two years. Expected start in September 2021 or as agreed. The last day to apply is 21 June, 2021.

We are a young and dynamic research group at Umeå University using cryo-EM to study how intracellular pathogens infect, exploit, and manipulate their host cells. Our research group is affiliated with The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) and Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), located at the Department of Molecular Biology. MIMS is the Swedish Node in the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine. Our laboratory has excellent access to the Umeå Core Facility for Electron Microscopy at Umeå University, which is hosting one of the two nodes of the national cryo-EM facility at SciLifeLab. Our work is funded through a Swedish Research Council and an ERC starting grant.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND WORK TASKS

This is an EU-funded position and part of the ERC project PolTube. PolTube aims to use structural biology to visualize the unique (infection) biology of microsporidia. Microsporidia are opportunistic pathogens of almost all animals and possess fascinating biological features such as the smallest eukaryotic genome or a specialized infection apparatus. You will join a driven and interdisciplinary team of structural biologists, biochemists, and cell biologists and use your solid cryo-EM and cryo-ET expertise to move forward an ongoing, collaborative structural biology project and take the lead in future cryo-ET projects within the aims of PolTube.

More information about PolTube: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/948655

QUALIFICATIONS

You must have a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, or similar. The Ph.D. degree should not be awarded more than three years ago at the time of application. Exceptions include illness, parental leave, clinical practice, appointments of trust in trade unions or similar circumstances, which must be stated in the application. A strong background in structural biology is needed. Significant experience in cryo-EM and cryo-ET is required, i.e. you need solid hands-on expertise with cryo-ET data collection (SerialEM), processing, and subtomogram averaging (e.g. IMOD, Protomo, Dynamo, Warp/M, RELION, etc.). The ideal candidate has a strong background in cryo-ET data collection and analysis and has used subtomogram averaging successfully to visualize a challenging cellular structure. Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English and a high level of interpersonal skills are required. The ability to work as part of a team and independently is expected.

OTHER DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Expertise in molecular biology and protein biochemistry is beneficial.

APPLICATION 

You apply through our e-recruitment system latest 21 of June, 2021. Your application must contain the following documents, written in English:

• A CV with information on education, a list of previous and current employment, and a list of publications
• A copy of the Ph.D. certificate
• A cover letter describing your experience, match with the required qualifications, your research interests, and motivation for applying for the position
• Contact details of two to three references