Description of workplace 

The research group cell and molecular mechanobiology (LCMM) at the Department of Clinical Science Lund within the Faculty of Medicine currently conducts research with primary focus in using an inter-disciplinary and microscopy-based approach on cellular mechanotransduction and cell migration. The research team is led by docent Vinay Swaminathan and is located at BMC D14. As a workplace, we safeguard a positive work environment with respect and consideration in our relations with one another. 

We offer

Lund University is a governmental authority, which means you get special benefits, generous holidays, and a favorable occupational pension. Read more on the university’s website about being employed at Lund University, Work with us

 Work duties

 The candidate will conduct research developing a tumor micro-environment (TME) on a chip model system using novel biopolymer system. Additionally, the candidate will use this system to study the role of the changing mechanical landscape in tumor progression using quantitative microscopy and single cell techniques.

The candidate will perform the following duties in the lab:

1. Develop a novel 3d TME system using an alginate-based system and investigate the role of changing extracellular matrix environment on disease progression.
2. Work with other members in the lab to develop new materials and engineering-based approaches to modulate the ECM environment, collect microscopy data and analyze the data.
3. The candidate will be required to participate in lab meetings, house seminars as well as present data in these meetings and seminars. In addition, the candidate will be required to participate and contribute in other projects of the lab as well as contribute to the general functioning of the lab.

Qualifications
The requirements for the position are:

• PhD degree in the field of biomaterials, material sciences or biomedical engineering.
• Good scientific publishing record.
• experience using polymer chemistry, and high resolution confocal microscopy.
• Experience in cell culture of epithelial cell lines including those from the mammary gland.
• Fundamental knowledge in cell mechanotransduction.
• Experience of developing biomaterial-based culture system.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good collaborative skills.
• Good drive and independence.

Eligibility

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. This eligibility requirement needs to be met no later than the time when the employment decision is made. We will mainly consider candidates who have completed their PhD degree no more than three (3) years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. These circumstances refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical work, positions of trust within trade union organizations or other similar circumstances.

Basis for assessment

At Lund University, employment as a postdoctoral researcher provides opportunities for scientific and pedagogical merit. There is mainly room for merit in research, but also for certain higher education pedagogical training. Teaching may be included in the tasks. For the employment as a postdoctoral research, scientific ability will primarily be taken into account.

 Terms of employment

This is a full-time employment limited to 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral researcher”) between SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated November 19, 2021. Preliminary start date on or after 1st of April 2023, or according to agreement.

How to apply

The position is sought via the university’s recruitment system. The application must include a personal letter in which you describe how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position. The application must also contain a CV, including a list of publications, a general description of previous research work, a copy of the doctorate and anything else you wish to refer to (copies of diplomas, grades, information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.) Also attach a research project plan with your application.

The postdoctoral position is placed at the Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC, http://www.cec.lu.se) and it is funded by BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate), which is hosted by CEC. BECC is an interdisciplinary strategic research area based on collaboration between more than 250 researchers at the universities of Lund and Gothenburg. BECC develops research that contributes to the visualization and generation of knowledge to predict and manage the combined effect of climate change and land use on biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services. BECC’s strength is its successful research leaders from various disciplines such as biology, political science, geology, mathematics, physical geography and economics that together develop BECC.

Topic description
Heatwaves induced by climate change constitute an increasing threat to insect communities. Yet, conservation efforts to mitigate the impact of heatwaves on biodiversity and related ecosystem services are still sparse. This project aims to evaluate the potential of modifying microclimates with trees and shrubs as an ecosystem-based climate adaptation to increase the resilience of wild bee communities and crop pollination to heatwaves. As a result, the proposed project will contribute to the development of ecosystem-based climate adaptation actions that enable more climate-change resilient agriculture, society and nature, as well as policies that facilitate their implementation.

Work duties
The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. 

The research project will include:

• Performing a mesocosm study to evaluate how pollination by wild bees under heatwaves is affected by microclimates.
• Conducting a policy study, where we assess the feasibility and economic costs of creating microclimates with trees and shrubs as a climate adaptation action on farmland.
• Using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and field surveys to investigate how microclimates affect the richness and abundance of wild bees in agricultural landscapes, as well as pollination of wild plants and agricultural crops.

The postdoc will through the project develop their skills and knowledge on topics with high scientific and societal relevance, including ecology, biodiversity, pollination, GIS, UAV, conservation policy and economics. In addition, the postdoc will be part of an active and collaborative reserach environment, with opportunities to participate in different collaborations and activities within BECC, CEC and more.

Qualification requirements

• A PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position (e.g., biology, environmental science or physical geography), completed no more than three years before the last date for application. Under special circumstances (e.g., parental leave), the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Documented experience in handling and statistically analyzing ecological data.

Meriting
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. Specific merits include:

• Experience from planning and conducting ecological field surveys.
• Knowledge on wild bee ecology.
• Experience in assessing conservation actions and policies.
• Experience and knolwedge in analyzing spatial data with GIS and remote sensing.
• Being collaborative, independent, communicative and driven.
• Experienced user of the software R.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022. Start date: as soon as possible according to agreement.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• Résumé/CV, including a list of publications.
• A general description of past research and future research interests (max. 2 pages).
• Contact information for at least two references.
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.

Subject description
Soils store much more carbon (C) than the atmosphere and the living biosphere together, and microorganisms play an important role to govern whether C compounds remain in the soil, or whether they are disintegrated back to CO2. An important mechanism of long-term C storage is the physical stabilization of organic matter within the soil structure, meaning that C can be “hidden” from its decomposers in the complex matrix of soil aggregates, but the processes involved are not well understood.

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated post-doctoral fellow for an interdisciplinary project in microbial ecology at the Department of Biology, Lund University.  The project focuses on performing experiments in microfluidic models for the physical and chemical heterogeneity simulating soil microhabitats. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with microfluidic engineers, and microspectroscopists. You will be part of an active research group at the Department of Biology https://www.biology.lu.se/research/research-groups/microbial-ecology and collaborate with engineers at the Department of Biomedical Engineering http://bme.lth.se/research-pages/nanobiotechnology-and-lab-on-a-chip/. The cross-disciplinary environment will provide the candidate with ample possibilities to learn new skills and methods ranging from biology to engineering.

Work duties
The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

 Work duties include:

• Design and perform soil microbial experiments in microfluidic chips
• Design and perform experiments with soil systems
• Culture laboratory strains of bacteria and fungi
• Contribute to the development of automated image analysis and self-learning algorithms for microscopy data from the chips
• Perform molecular analysis on soil microbes
• Work in tight collaboration with an engineer that develops microscale heterogeneity, both physical and chemical, in microfluidic chips
• Work in collaboration with a postdoc at MaxLab IV, providing samples for synchrotron analysis
• Actively contribute to a positive and creative working atmosphere in the group

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, completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier  (this may be adjusted based on, for example, documentation of parental leave or military service).

Additional requirements:

• Very good proficiency in written and communicated English
• Good communication skills and the ability to work well with other members of the research team

Assessment criteria and other qualifications
This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a research 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:

• Experience in culturing laboratory strains of bacteria and fungi under sterile conditions is a merit
• Experience with microfluidic model systems is a merit
• Experience in image analysis, modeling and self-learning algorithms is a merit
• Experience in molecular analysis of soil microbes is a merit
• Documented ability to develop and carry out high-quality research
• Documentation of successful completion of research projects
• High intellectual capacity and problem-solving ability Technical and analytical know-how, organization skills
• Enthusiasm, dedication and an ability to work both independently and embedded in a team

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of  2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

Contac Edith Hammer (edith.hammer@biol.lu.se) for further information.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• Motivation letter
• Résumé/CV, including date of public PhD thesis defense or equivalent, title of the thesis, previous appointments, current position, academic distinctions and special expertise
• Full list of publications General description of past research and future research interests (no more than one page)
• Names, relation to and contact information of 2 professional references
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.