Postdoc in AI-based protein design and synthetic biology

Tasks

The tasks of a postdoc primarily consist of conducting research. Teaching may be included in the tasks, however, at most one-fifth of the working time. Within the framework of the employment, the opportunity shall be provided for three weeks of higher education pedagogical training.

Detailed description of the tasks:

• Research in AI-based protein design, synthetic biology, biofilm engineering, and programmable living materials.
• Development and implementation of computational workflows for de novo design of proteins and protein-based systems.
• Development and implementation of high-throughput experimental methods for screening and characterization of designed systems.
• Development of microbial systems with de novo designed biofilms.
• Teaching at undergraduate, advanced, and doctoral levels.
• Supervision of master's students and doctoral students.
• Active work in seeking external research funding.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers from different scientific disciplines as well as with external partners, including industry.
• Administration related to the above tasks.

Qualifications

To be eligible for employment as a postdoc, one must have obtained a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree assessed to correspond to a doctoral degree, within the subject area of the employment and which was obtained no more than three years before the date of the employment decision. If there are special reasons, the doctoral degree may have been obtained earlier.

Other requirements:

• Very good knowledge of English, both oral and written.
• A doctoral degree in a field relevant to the position, such as protein design, computational biology, structural biology, synthetic biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, microbiology, molecular biology, or a related field, or equivalent scientific competence.

Assessment Criteria

This is a merit-based position primarily focused on research. The employment is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of applicants will primarily be based on their scientific merits and potential as a researcher.

Special emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area.

When hiring a postdoc, the following shall constitute the basis for assessment:

• Documented scientific skill and high quality in the applicant's previous research, including the applicant's individual contributions to published or ongoing research work.
• Documented ability to independently formulate scientific questions, solve research problems, and drive research projects forward.
• Research experience and documented expertise in at least one of the following areas: computational protein design or de novo protein design, synthetic biology, genetic modification of microorganisms or yeast, biofilm engineering, or high-throughput functional screening.
• The relevance of the applicant's previous research experience and technical competence for the development of programmable microbial systems and biofilm systems.
• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary research environment that combines computational and experimental methods.
• Pedagogical skill.

Other merits:

• Research experience covering two or more of the scientific areas relevant to the project.
• Experience in AI-based or computational protein design, including modern methods for protein structure prediction, sequence design, or generative protein design.
• Experience in experimental production and characterization of designed proteins.
• Experience in genetic engineering of bacteria or yeast as well as the development of modified microbial systems.
• Experience in the engineering, characterization, or functional screening of biofilms.
• Experience in high-throughput experiments, automation, screening, or iterative workflows of the design–build–test–learn type.
• Experience in developing or implementing computational pipelines for biology or protein design.
• A strong publication history relative to the career stage, where special emphasis is placed on evidence of significant individual contributions to high-quality research.
• Demonstrated scientific creativity, initiative, and the ability to develop new experimental or computational methods.
• Experience of interdisciplinary collaboration as well as the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with researchers from different scientific backgrounds and with external partners.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive, and independence, as well as how the applicant, through their experience and competence, is assessed to complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department and contribute to its future development.

Terms and Conditions

The employment is time-limited to a maximum of 2 years and is intended to be full-time. The employment is time-limited according to the agreement, “Agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoc”, between the labor market parties dated 2022-02-01 (Arbetsgivarverket, OFR:s, and Saco-S).

Instructions for application

The application must be written in English and include:

• Curriculum vitae/CV including a publication list.
• A general description of previous research work and future research interests (max three pages).
• Contact details for at least two references.
• A copy of the doctoral degree certificate as well as any other certificates/transcripts you wish to invoke.

At the Faculty of Science, research and education are conducted in astronomy, biology, physics, geosciences, chemistry, mathematics, medical radiation physics, environmental science, and physical geography. Activities are conducted within the northern university area. The faculty has approximately 1,900 students, 330 doctoral students, and 730 employees.

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