Jobs in Structural Biology and Related Fields


Postdoctoral Fellowship: Cryo-Electron Tomography


Umea University, Umea, Sweden
Application deadline: 19 Aug 2020


Project description

The successful candidate will be studying fertilisation by using cryo-ET and other imaging methods to image different stages of interaction between gametes. In particular, the aim is to get an understanding of the overall architecture of the mammalian zona pellucida and related egg coats. We will also investigate how changes in the structure of these extracellular matrices contribute to the block of polyspermy. More information about the overall context of this research, which will involve EM studies of frozen-hydrated samples, may be found at the Jovine Lab website.

Available for the project are: a TFS Titan Krios instrument with both Falcon 3 and K2 direct electron detectors, a Scios DualBeam SEM with Aquilos-upgraded cryo-FIB and a Leica Thunder fluorescence microscope with cryo stage, as well as full access to all additional instruments and sample preparation equipment at Umeå Core facility for Electron Microscopy (UCEM) and Biochemical Imaging Centre Umeå (BICU).

The research project is a collaboration between a research group at Karolinska Institutet (KI), Huddinge, Sweden and a research group at the Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Sweden, associated with the UCEM and Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MiMS). The postdoc will be located at the Department of Chemistry, Umeå University and short visits at the KI partner laboratory will be included.

The fellowship, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, concerns full-time studies for two years. Start in 2020 as agreed. The tax-free fellowship amounts to SEK 324 000 per year.

Qualifications

The required qualification is a doctoral degree or a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent in cell, molecular or developmental biology or equivalent. Priority should be given to candidates who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the closing date of the application. A candidate who has completed their degree prior to this may be considered if special circumstances exist. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, parental leave or clinical practice, appointments of trust in trade unions or similar circumstances.

Documented experience in biochemistry and cryo-electron microscopy, together with strong 3D image reconstruction computational skills as well as good knowledge of developmental biology are required. At least one first-author publication in a high-quality international peer-reviewed journal is also a requirement. Candidates must be able to carry out independent scientific research and to write scientific reports and manuscripts. Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Emphasis will be placed on personal laboratory qualities such as organisational skills and a good ability to collaborate with other members of the lab and the EM facility staff, as well as on genuine enthusiasm for the research area and method development.

Umea, Sweden

Postdoctoral Fellowship: Cryo-Electron Tomography