Lund University seeks to be a world-class university that works to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition. The University is ranked as one of the top 100 in the world. We tackle complex problems and global challenges and work to ensure that knowledge and innovations benefit society. We provide education and research in engineering, science, law, social sciences, economics and management, medicine, humanities, theology, fine art, music and drama. Our 47 000 students and 6 800 employees are based at our campuses in Lund, Malmö and Helsingborg. The University has a turnover of around EUR 700 million (or USD 900 million), of which two thirds is in research and one third in education.

The Faculty of Medicine at Lund University offers a wealth of research, postgraduate and undergraduate education programmes in the fields of medicine and health care. The Faculty encompasses 2,500 full-time students enrolled in different programmes, as well as 950 postgraduate students and 1,100 employees. Research spans across a broad area from basic experimental research to applied research, in order to answer questions related to clinical practice, the health sciences and society. The research and education are conducted in close cooperation with the University Hospitals in Lund and Malmö and located mainly into three centres: the Biomedical Centre (BMC) in Lund, Clinical Research Centre (CRC) in Malmö and Health Sciences Centre (HCS) a strategic location in the middle of the Öresund Region.

Postdoctor in Experimental diabetes and protein research Type of employment: Limit of tenure, 24 months

Extent: 100 %

Location: Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund

First day of employment: The proposed start date is 2013-09-01

Official Records Number: MPA 2013/473

Lund University Diabetes Centre (LUDC; http://www.ludc.med.lu.se) is one of 20 strong research programmes in Sweden to be awarded the 10-year Linnaeus grant by the Swedish Research Council in 2006. The aim of LUDC is to identify strategies for slowing disease progression in diabetes and, ultimately, to prevent the disease. LUDC includes several research groups in Malmö and Lund as well as several collaborators. The participating groups are all internationally renowned and form one of the strongest diabetes research environments world-wide. The position is announced in collaboration with the MoReLife network (www.med.lu.se/morelife) and the LP3 protein production plattform (www.lu.se/lp3) and is situated at the Biomedical Center, BMC, Lund.

Subject area

Experimental diabetes and protein research

Job assignments

Functional transport of Zn2+ in insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells is of great important, as storage of insulin in ordered aggregates in the granular lumen is dependent on Zn2+ ions. Certain Zn2+ transporters are also targets for autoantibodies with relevance for type 1 diabetes. The project aims at defining the structural and functional features of membrane-embedded Zn2+ transport proteins involved in this process. The successful candidate will also be active at the Lund University protein production platform (LP3; www.lu.se/lp3) and is there expected to significantly contribute to the expansion of the LP3 platform with focus on mammalian protein expression systems. The projects are collaborations between groups within the Lund University Diabetes Centre (LUDC) working in the areas of clinical diabetes research, structural biology and protein biochemistry, and at the LP3 platform.

The successful candidate will be part of the LUDC and at the MoReLife-initiated LP3 plattform. The candidate is expected to stay updated on the research within the LUDC and to actively participate in common activities, e.g., to disseminate own results within the consortium and to assist other projects intellectually.

Eligibility/Entry Requirements
PhD degree, no earlier than three years before the date of advertisement (max 3 years). This period is extended correspondingsly by parental leave, clinical service, and certain commissions of trust.

To qualify for appointment the applicant must have a PhD degree in a relevant discipline such as the life sciences, medicine, biotechnology or similar. Particular importance is given to scientific excellence. Candidates should preferably also have a strong publication record. A general knowledge in molecular and cell biology, and/or experience in protein production and purification are required. Experience with insect cell cultures is a plus but not a requirement. Applicants are expected to have proven records in protein structure and function analyses. Knowledge in functionality assays (e.g., proteoliposomes) and intracellular trafficking of transporters is advantageous. A broad knowledge in protein science is expected. Previous research within the diabetes area is not necessary. The applicant should have demonstrated skills in practical supervision of collaborators, independent work and scientific writing. Excellent command of spoken and written English is necessary.

For further information please contact:
Jens Lagerstedt, Docent
046-2227266
Jens.Lagerstedt@med.lu.se

Labour union
SACO: Lars-Åke Lööv
046-2228464
saco@saco.lu.se

OFR/S: Lena Thiman
046-2229363
st@st.lu.se

Last Day of Applying 2013-06-30

Appointment Procedure
You can register your application electronically via ‘Apply online’. If you are not able to apply electronically, please send your application to: Registrator, Lunds universitet, Box 117, 221 00 Lund, Sweden. Please state your application registration number when submitting documents by post.

Lund University promotes an equal opportunities code. We encourage both men and women to apply for this position.

Applications will be destroyed or returned (upon request) two years after the decision of employment has become final. Applications from the employed and from those who appeal the decision will not be returned.