Post-doc position in Cell and Molecular biology/ Immunology/Microbiology

Malmö University
Malmö University is an innovative, urban and international institute of higher education, located in the center of Malmö. We have around 1,800 employees and 24,000 students. 

About the position
The research activities will be conducted in a network of academic, industrial, and clinical partners within a newly funded project entitled Biobarriers - Health, Disorders and Healing. The general vision of the research project is to improve health and healing of biological barriers by modernizing clinical treatments and products based on molecular level knowledge. In particular, the aim of the open position is to develop advanced ex vivo cell- and tissue models for the investigation of healthy and disordered skin.

Usually, therapeutic targets of biological barriers, e.g., skin, are tested in vitro including cell-based assays. These models usually do not grasp the holistic biological barrier complexity. Thus, there is an increasing interest to develop and use advanced skin models before any testing is started on animals or humans. Excised human or animal skin have traditionally been used as models. Though animal skin is easily available as byproduct from food industry, it differs from human skin. Thus, there is a need for functional ex vivo human skin models for evaluation of molecular treatment mechanisms, as well as assessment of efficacy and safety. Human skin equivalent can be designed as epidermis only, dermis only, or full thickness depending on the application. Currently there are several commercially available ex vivo skin models for making controlled tests. However, new treatments and growing understanding of the complexity of human skin require broader variety and deeper understanding of ex vivo skin models.

Studies that include microbial components onto skin models are rare. The host-microbe interaction between keratinocytes and microbiota could be a key factor for achieving the skin barrier function observed in native skin. Studies on the effects of complete microbiomes on stratum corneum formation, composition and permeability or the keratinocyte interaction with immune cells are pivotal but still missing.

The main goal is to:


• Establish skin cell culture models of dermal fibroblasts, keratinocytes, melanocytes and immune cells as well as cultures of cells from human skin biopsies ex vivo.
• To adopt skin culture models for studies of microbiota-skin barrier interactions.

Apart from carrying out research within these areas the applicant is expected to take responsibility for the maintenance of the instruments involved and to be active by supervising graduate and postgraduate students and fellow scientists in the techniques and participate in teaching at graduate and postgraduate levels. In addition, the applicant will be expected to take part in applications for external funding to support research activities.

Qualifications
A postdoc is primarily employed to conduct research. They have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree considered on par with a doctoral degree. This is primarily relevant to people who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application period for the position of postdoc has expired.

The successful candidate possess a PhD in biomedical laboratory science, cell biology, molecular biology, biomedicine, immunology, microbiology or related disciplines.

Good communication skills in English (written and spoken) are necessary. Hands-on experience in in vitro cell culture is also a specific requirement.

Hands-on experience in some of the following methods is highly valued: cell-based assays, ELISA, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, qPCR, histological techniques, and microbial culture and their characterization by, e.g. MALDI-TOF or similar techniques.

In addition to the formal competence, university employees must have the soft skills needed to fulfill the job well and to represent the university in the best possible way. The successful candidate should have the ability to work in a team and collaborate with people in complementary disciplines.

Assessment criteria


• The quality and focus of the doctoral thesis
• Research activities within fields relevant to the appointment in question
• Documented ability to independently conduct research of sufficient standard
• Reflective presentation of their own pedagogical outlook and practices
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with actors in other parts of society with a connection to education and research

Information
For more information contact Anna Gustafsson, +46 (0)40 6657416, anna.gustafsson@mau.se
Tautgirdas Ruzgas +46 (0)40 6657431, tautgirdas.ruzgas@mau.se

For general questions regarding employment at Malmö university, contact Hasina Haya +46 (0)40 6657184, hasina.haya@mau.se

Application
You apply through Malmo Universities' recruitment system by clicking the button "apply/ansok". It is your own responsibility that your application is complete with all required documentation according to the adverted position.

Please submit your application no later than March 13, 2020.

Form of employment and starting date
One-year position (full-time), starting as soon as possible. The position can be prolonged beyond the first year. At Malmö University, individual salary negotiations apply.

Starting date
As soon as possible

Trade union representatives
SACO-S: Ann-Mari Campbell, ann-mari.campbell@mau.se
Lärarförbundet: Carl-Erik Blomberg, carl-erik.blomberg@mau.se
ST/OFR: Aje Carlbom aje.carlbom@mau.se

 

To se the full ad www.mau.se 

 

Welcome with your application!