Postdoctoral researcher in vaccine development

The School of Medical Sciences is seeking a postdoctoral researcher in vaccine development for a fixed-term appointment.

Subject area
The position is in Biomedicine.

Background
Global epidemics of infectious diseases have often successfully been controlled and even eradicated by the development of vaccines distributed through effective vaccination programs. Microorganisms causing infectious diseases are constantly emerging and re-emerging which highlights the need to develop new and improved vaccines.

Developvaccines@oru is a research platform that focuses on development of effective vaccines that can be delivered to mucosal surfaces. In this project, you will have a special focus on the molecular biology and immunology of Tick-borne encephalitis virus and related flaviviruses. More information about the project can be found at https://www.oru.se/english/research/projects/mv/developvaccinesoru/

The project is transdisciplinary and involves the School of Medical Sciences and the School of Science and Technology at Örebro university. It also includes business partners in the Life Science/Pharmaceutical industry in addition to other academic partners. Örebro University is one of the most rapidly expanding universities in Sweden and was recently placed at number 75 when Times Higher Education ranked the young universities in the world, and at number 30 with regards to scientific impact measured as the citation rate of published papers.

More information about Örebro University can be found at https://www.oru.se/english/

Duties and responsibilities
The appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is intended to enable persons who have recently been awarded their doctoral degree, to consolidate and develop primarily their research skills. The applicant will be involved in evaluation of the vaccine candidates in vitro and in vivo (in cell- and animal models) and has a role in analyzing antibodies and inflammatory markers, using conventional techniques such as Western blotting, MesoScale, ELISpot and ELISA. The applicant will have a special focus on molecular cloning, viral reverse genetics, cell cultivation, propagation of infectious viruses in oru BSL-2 laboratory and purification of proteins, viruses and virus like particles. The applicant will also be involved in designing protocols for vaccination, neutralization assays and challenge of developed vaccines in animal models.  The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the other researchers and industrial partners within the project.

Qualifications
Those qualified for appointment as a postdoctoral researcher are applicants who have been awarded a doctoral degree in a subject matter relevant for the position (e.g. Biomedicine, Immunology, Molecular Cell Biology, Vaccinology, Virology or Molecular Virology) or have a degree from abroad deemed to correspond to a doctoral degree. The degree is to have been awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline. If special grounds exist, a person who has been awarded their doctoral degree prior to that should also be considered. Such grounds comprise leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, clinical practice, positions of trust in a trade union or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria
A basis for the assessment is the applicant’s ability to disseminate information and communicate; collaborate and engage with the wider community; and facilitate utilisation of the university’s research; as well as the ability and suitability to cooperate with other members of staff and contribute to the development of university operations.

Particular attention is to be paid to the applicant’s prospects of contributing to the future development of both research and education. Importance is also attached to a demonstrated ability and ambition to embark on a career within academia.  

Other assessment criteria
Preferably, you have experience with vaccine development and have skills using cellular and animal models and immunological techniques e.g. Western blotting, ELISpot, MesoScale and ELISA. Research experience in cultivating of infectious viruses, molecular virology including reverse genetics, confocal laser scanner microscopy, is of special interest. Previous research activities within mucosal immunology and evaluation of vaccine candidates and markers are a merit. Since the project will be conducted in close collaborations with industrial partners and other researchers, a cooperative mindset is of great importance. The applicant should also be highly organized, be able to meet deadlines, have a clear sense of responsibility, and be goal oriented. The applicant shall also be fluent in oral and written English.

Information
This is a fixed-term full-time position for two years. The salary depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

For more information, please contact Associate Professor Wessam Melik via E-mail; wessam.melik@oru.se or Professor Magnus Johansson (Phone +46-73 704 84 85); E-mail: magnus.johansson@oru.se

Örebro University actively pursues an equal work environment and values the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

Application
The application is made on our website.

The application deadline is 2022-10-03. We look forward to receiving your application!

We decline any contact with advertisers or recruitment agencies in the recruitment process.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), Örebro University is required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.