Postdoc: Interactions of nanoparticles with endosomal membrane mimics

Project description
Within this project you will develop small angle scattering and reflectometry tools to study the lipid chemical and physical arrangement in membrane bilayers and nanoparticles, including mixed nanoparticle populations. Specifically, you will work on developing model endosomal membranes and studying their interactions with lipid-based nanoparticles such as extracellular vesicles, liposomes and lipid nanoparticles. The membranes, particles and their interactions will be characterised using neutron reflectometry, neutron scattering and X-ray sattering techniques. The goal of the project is to uncover the interactions between nanoparticles of different morphology and chemical composition with endosome-mimicking membranes, to shed light on their mechanisms of interaction (including lipid transfer and flip-flop), and cargo release. You will be responsible for designing and applying for beamtime experiments, carrying out and analysing the results, as well as training PhD students in the group in these techniques. The results will contribute to uncovering fundamental knowledge of membrane biophysics and will also be applied to studying lipid-based nanocarriers for biomedical applications. 

You will work within a multidisciplinary team with expertise in biology, physics and chemistry, based in the Division of Chemical Biology, Department of  Life Sciences. At ChemBio, we are a team of seven research groups working on diverse research topics, combining protein engineering, synthetic chemistry, and state-of-the-art biophysical methods (spectroscopy, live cell imaging and nanotechnology) to address cutting-edge questions in biology and meet medical challenges related to human health.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility as postdoc is to perform your own research in a research group. The position may also include teaching on undergraduate and master's levels as well as supervising master's and/or PhD students to a certain extent. Another important aspect involves collaboration within academia and with society at large. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry/the public sector.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must have a PhD degree in Physics, Biophysics, Materials Science, Bioengineering or similar, awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline. Other mandatory experience includes significant experience in neutron reflectometry and other scattering techniques, including data analysis, and experience in membrane biophyiscal studies of lipid-protein and lipid-nucleic acid interactions. Experience in planning and leading experiments at large scale facilities, and in combining experimental scattering techniques with molecular dynamics simulations is also essential. Hands on experience with microfluidic nanoparticle formulation techniques and Python programming language is advantageous.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the work, you must have good collaboration skills and be able to communicate fluently in English, both orally and in writing, including advanced scientific writing skills, and the ability to write peer reviewed papers independently.

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for two years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with 20230782 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

Application deadline: January 15th, 2024

For questions, please contact:
Margaret Holme, Assistant Professor, Chemical Biology
Email: holmema@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 76 159 3003


*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 





Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!