Postdoctoral position in Pure and Applied Biochemistry with a focus on spectro-electrochemical characterisation of artificial enzymes Full-time

Postdoctoral Position in Pure and Applied Biochemistry

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world's top universities. The University has around 46,000 students and 8,500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the human condition.

Description of the Workplace

The project will be formally based at the Division for Pure and Applied Biochemistry in collaboration with the Centre for Analysis and Synthesis at the Department of Chemistry, Engineering Faculty (LTH). The research at the Division for Pure and Applied Biochemistry covers a wide area, including protein engineering, plant biotechnology, biomedical nutritional research, separation and analysis of biomolecules, biomaterials, imprinted polymers, biosensors, enzyme technology, and industrial biotechnology. The Centre for Analysis and Synthesis houses groups focused on solid materials, their synthesis, and resulting properties, including hybrid materials combining inorganic, polymer, or biological materials.

Both divisions and the Department of Chemistry are well-equipped with many research instruments necessary to strengthen this research application and its feasibility. The proximity of the MAX-IV laboratory and ESS contributes to a strong environment for research and networking that will be utilized in the project. The workplace fosters a collaborative and supportive atmosphere, encouraging interdisciplinary research and providing ample professional growth and development opportunities.

The divisions are involved in various cutting-edge projects, such as investigating new materials at the atomic level and developing advanced biocatalysts. For more information, you can visit the Department of Chemistry's website.

Subject Description

We are seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral research assistant to join our research team at LU. The project focuses on using spectro-electrochemistry to characterize the catalytic efficiency and colloidal stability of bio-templated manganese oxide-based nanozymes.

Impact: This research will significantly advance our understanding of the unique physicochemical properties of inorganic-organic hybrid materials, driven by the synergistic effects of their components.

Work Duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with partners at Lund University, combining competencies in experimental aspects (electron microscopy groups at the Centre for Analysis and Synthesis) and data modelling (Computational Chemistry) and offering broad learning opportunities in a growing field of organic-inorganic hybrid materials science.

You are expected to be involved in all project steps, i.e. to prepare and perform experiments on instruments in the laboratory and at large-scale facilities, as well as to analyse and publish the data.

In return, you will be given ample creative space to develop the project's significant resources to produce cutting-edge results, and you will profit from being part of our highly collaborative team with complementary competencies.

The research involves:

• the design and testing of experiments using a spectro-electrochemical setup, as well as data analysis, including multivariate analysis.
• investigating how proteins and protein fragments contribute to the colloidal stability and catalytic efficiency of nanozymes.
• deriving a kinetic understanding of the molecular origins of nanoparticles' catalytic specificity.
• utilizing advanced UV-visible and Fourier transform infrared spectro-electrochemical instruments to gather kinetic and transient data.
• developing kinetic models to analyse species' kinetics, surface heterogeneity, pattern formation, and migration in hybrid nanozymes.

Working duties may specifically include:

• planning, preparing, and implementing X-ray / Neutron / Electron microscopy experiments.
• identification and publication of the results.
• scientific collaboration within and outside the group and within the consortium.
• communication of the results (scientific articles and conference contributions)

Qualification Requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

• You have a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, in chemistry, analytical chemistry, materials science, or a closely related field.
• You have obtained your doctoral degree within the last three years prior to the application deadline (or earlier under special circumstances).
• You have experience in the design, characterization, and application of functional materials for biosensing or bioelectronic devices.
• You have experience with analytical characterization techniques, including spectroscopic and/or electrochemical methods.
• You have demonstrated scientific productivity through peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields.
• You can work independently as well as collaboratively in interdisciplinary research environments.
• You can communicate scientific results effectively in written and spoken English.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of biosensor development, including electrochemical or transistor-based sensing platforms.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of self-assembled monolayers, molecularly imprinted polymers, or surface functionalization strategies.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of organic electronics, bioelectronics, or single-molecule sensing approaches.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of interdisciplinary projects combining chemistry, materials science, and biomedical applications.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of participating in national or international research projects or collaborative networks.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of teaching or supervision at undergraduate or graduate level.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of grant participation, innovation-oriented research, or collaboration with industry.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of data analysis, programming, or AI-assisted workflows in research.

Assessment Criteria

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• You have a good ability to develop, plan, and conduct high-quality research, demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and participation in competitive research projects.
• You have the ability to formulate research questions, apply appropriate experimental or analytical methods, and critically interpret scientific results.
• You have teaching skills, demonstrated through experience in teaching, supervising students, or contributing to courses at undergraduate or graduate level.

Other qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience that constitute additional qualifications:
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of biosensing technologies, electrochemical analysis, or bioelectronic devices.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of surface chemistry, functional materials, or nanostructured systems for biomedical applications.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of interdisciplinary research combining chemistry, materials science, and life sciences.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of working in externally funded research projects or international collaborations.
• Expertise/personal qualities that are additional qualifications:
• It is an additional qualification if you have a high degree of independence in planning and executing research activities.
• It is an additional qualification if you have a strong ability to collaborate within interdisciplinary and international research teams.
• It is an additional qualification if you have good communication skills and the ability to disseminate research results through presentations and publications.
• Education that constitutes an additional qualification:
• It is an additional qualification if you have completed training or specialized courses in bioelectronics, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, or advanced materials characterization.
• Other forms of additional qualifications:
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of peer review for scientific journals or involvement in conference organization.
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of outreach