Project assistant

About Malmö University
Malmö University is an innovative, urban and international institute of higher education, located in the centre of Malmö. We have around 1,800 employees and 24,000 students. Our research and education are characterised by the role we believe a university should play in an open society - to contribute to sustainability and equality in a scientifically grounded way with external partners and stakeholders. Identifying and addressing the challenges of the future are of highest priority.

Faculty and Department
The Department of Biomedical Science offers a programme leading to a professional qualification, Biomedical Scientist (first cycle, 180 credits), and a Masters' programme, Biomedical Surface Science (second cycle, 120 credits), as well as first and second cycle freestanding courses. The Department negotiates the multifaceted intersection between biology, chemistry, medicine, physics, and technology and the interdisciplinary approach to research and education aims to further develop the theoretical and practical understanding of the complex subject matter. Drawing on the balance between basic and applied research, the Department has been successful in attracting funding from regional, national, and international research funding bodies. In addition, in the pursuit of possible applications, several industry funded contract research projects are currently running at the Department.

The research at the faculty is also linked to the research center Biofilms - Research Center for Biointerfaces, which combines biomedical science with clinical and translational research in medical, dental, food and environmental application areas in close collaboration with regional industry.

About the project
Based on a unique supramolecular chemistry concept and advanced cell models, this project will address both fundamental and applied aspects of virus infections. A virus' ability to adhere to and enter a cell is essential for its reproduction and a critical factor affecting disease severity. Viruses often attach first to carbohydrates followed by strong interactions with one secondary or tertiary receptor. The sum of the multivalent interactions leads to very strong binding but, in the case of SARS-CoV-2, this key step in the infection is still poorly understood as is the importance of receptor motility. Cellembrane dynamics are most often studied on membrane-model surfaces made of lipids. These are often unstable, difficult to work with and can be difficult to manufacture. A chemical concept to mimic the cell's membrane so-called rSAMs (reversible self-assembled monolayers) and smartly designed cell models can resolve these problems. rSAMs mimic the dynamic aspects of cellular membranes and receptors that virus particles attach to but are stable and easy to manufacture (see Yeung, S.-Y. et al. ACS Central Science, 2017. 3, 1198-1207). In this project we will develop and use these models to try answer basic questions related to SARS-CoV-2 infection biology while using their unique properties to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR, project number: VR-MH- 2021-02118) and is led by Malmö University. Other partners are Linköping University the Departments of Clinical Virology and Physical Chemistry at Lund University, the Skåne University Hospital and two companies, Diagonal Pharma AB and ArgusEye AB.

About the positions
We seek to fill temporary (minimum 3 months) project assistant positions for an undergraduate researcher.  

Basis of assessment 
The candidate is an organic chemist holding an MSc degree with more than 4 years experience from working in custom synthesis industry. Experimental laboratory experience is required.

For more information contact
Börje Sellergren, Professor in Biomedical Technology. Phone: +46 40 665 7810, Mail: borje.sellergren@mau.se.  For general questions regarding employment at Malmö university, contact HR-specialist Jill Moberger +46 (0)40 6657840, E-mail: jill.moberger@mau.se In our recruitment work, Malmö University has taken a stand regarding recruitment channels and marketing. We therefore decline all offers of advertising and recruitment assistance in connection with this advertisement.

Instructions to Applicants
You may apply for this position via Malmö University's recruitment system by clicking on the "Apply" button. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is completed in accordance with the advertisement, and that it is provided to the University no later than April 20, 2022. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the University can read what is written in the application. If the application is not written in Swedish, English or any of the Nordic languages, the applicant is responsible for the application and its appendices being translated.

The Application should contain the following:

• A brief summary of scientific, teaching and other qualifications relevant to the position.
• Signed CV
• Attested copies of certificates
• List of scientific publications

Planned starting date
Earliest convenience and agreement