Postdoc in epigenetics and chromatin dynamics

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked as one of the world's leading academic institutions. There are approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our endeavor to understand, explain, and improve our world and human conditions.

Description of the workplace

The research group for epigenetics and chromatin dynamics at the Department of Experimental Medicine (Faculty of Medicine) conducts research on the mechanisms underlying the epigenetic regulation of the repetitive genome in stem cell models of early human development. The group was founded in 2022 by Dr. Christopher Douse and currently consists of seven researchers. The group works in close collaboration with strategic infrastructures within the Faculty of Medicine, particularly the Lund Stem Cell Center. Our laboratory is located at BMC in Lund. As a workplace, we safeguard a good and safe working environment characterized by respect and consideration for one another. We strive to create conditions for job satisfaction, development, and participation for all employees.

Project description

The project involves studies of the epigenetic regulation and significance of genomic repetitive sequences in development and disease in the human brain.

Tasks and responsibilities

At Lund University, a postdoctoral appointment shall provide opportunities for scientific and pedagogical merit. Primarily, space is provided for merit within research, but also for certain higher education pedagogical training. Teaching may also be included in the tasks.

The position mainly comprises research tasks focusing on fundamental, mechanistic questions regarding transcription regulation within experimental molecular biology and (neural) stem cell biology. You will be responsible for stem cell culture, in vitro neural differentiation, and chromatin biochemistry. In collaboration with the group leader, you will write research manuscripts based on the work and present your results at local, national, and international conferences. You may also supervise students at undergraduate and advanced levels.

Qualifications

Requirements for the employment are:

• a doctoral degree or equivalent foreign degree in biological sciences, molecular biology, or a closely related discipline. The doctoral degree must be awarded no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• a good ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.
• pedagogical ability.
• you have in-depth experience in stem cell culture and neural differentiation as well as cell imaging
• you have extensive experience in chromatin biochemistry, for example immunoprecipitation and CUT&RUN
• you have expertise and a particular interest in mechanisms for epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of gene and transposable element expression in human cell models
• you have experience with functional genomic methods to study epigenetics and transcription, such as ChIP and RIP-seq
• you are self-driven, persistent, and cooperative with an analytical mind and the ability to structure more than one project in parallel
• you have the ability to communicate complex results clearly
• you speak and write English fluently

Meritorious for the employment is:

• primarily, the applicant who has completed their degree no more than three years before the application deadline will be considered
• a meticulous attitude, good organizational skills, and a team spirit are meritorious for this position
• the ability to support grant applications and write articles, especially regarding the generation of high-quality figures, is further meritorious

The assessment of applicants will primarily be based on their scientific merits and potential as a researcher. Particular weight will be attached to scientific ability within the subject area.

We offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means you receive special benefits, generous leave, and a favorable occupational pension.

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About the employment

The employment is fixed-term for two years at full-time, with a start date of 2026-12-01 or by agreement. Employment at Lund University is located in Sweden, which means you are expected to be able to perform your work on-site in Lund.

The employment is fixed-term for at least two years, max three years according to the collective agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoc (Arbetsgivarverket). A postdoctoral position is intended as an initial step in the career and as an opportunity to further deepen and broaden research competence.

Other

Interviews will be held at our premises in Lund during the last week of October or the first week of November.

How to apply

You apply for the position via the university's recruitment system. The application shall include a short personal letter (maximum one page) where you describe why you are interested in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application must also include a doctoral degree certificate, CV, and information about references.

The Faculty of Medicine is an operational area within Lund University, responsible for education and research in medicine, care, and health. Education takes place in close collaboration with healthcare and is well-anchored in the faculty's strong research tradition. The faculty's research spans a wide field within experimental basic research, patient-oriented clinical research, and health science research. The Faculty of Medicine, with over 1,800 employees and 3,000 students in Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg, is a knowledge-intensive meeting place for students, teachers, and researchers from all over the world.

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