Researcher in Biology

Lund University

Sweden

Reference Number: PA2026/13

Institution: Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences
Location: Lund, Sweden
Employment Type: Full-time, Temporary (3 years)
Start Date: 1 September 2026 (or as agreed)
Application Deadline: 2 March 2026

About Lund University

Founded in 1666, Lund University is one of the world’s top universities, with ~47,000 students and over 8,800 staff across Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. The University values diversity, equality, and international collaboration.

The position is hosted at the Medical Structural Biology research unit, within the Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine. The unit focuses on molecular mechanisms of health and disease using advanced imaging and biophysical approaches.

Project Context: AMBER Program

This postdoctoral position is part of the AMBER (Advanced Multiscale Biological Imaging using European Research infrastructures) project, funded by the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND scheme.

Fellowship duration: 36 months
AMBER involves ~15 postdocs in the 2026 call
Collaborating institutions: Lund University/MAX IV (Sweden), European Spallation Source (ESS, Sweden), EMBL, ILL (France), IMOL (Poland), Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology (UK)
Focus: Integrated biological imaging from molecular to organismal levels

For more details about AMBER: ambercofund.eu

Project Description

The project focuses on Contractile Injection Systems (CIS) — natural bacterial nanomachines used to deliver molecular cargo. CIS are engineered for:

Biomedical applications: Targeting antibiotic-resistant pathogens (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus) with engineered payloads such as CRISPR-Cas, antimicrobial peptides, or enzymes.
Insect pest management: Delivery of neuropeptides or RNAi to pest species, reducing chemical pesticide use while sparing beneficial insects.

Key Research Activities

Microbiome sequencing and metagenomic mining for novel CIS candidates
Recombinant expression and purification of CIS proteins
High-resolution cryo-EM and cryo-ET imaging of CIS
Protein engineering and molecular modeling (AlphaFold2, Rosetta)
Functional assays in bacterial and insect systems to assess targeting and delivery efficiency
Data analysis, interpretation, and publication preparation
Collaboration with Halberg Group (Copenhagen) and Collin Lab (Lund)

Work Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct high-quality, independent postdoctoral research on CIS structure, function, and engineering
Identify and characterize novel CIS candidates through bioinformatic and experimental approaches
Clone, express, and purify CIS complexes
Perform cryo-EM and cryo-ET imaging for structural analysis
Engineer CIS variants for delivery of specific biomolecules
Conduct in vitro and in vivo functional assays
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, contributing to publications, conference presentations, and grant writing
Participate in training, mentoring, and pedagogical activities within the research group

Qualifications

Required:

PhD (or equivalent) in molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, structural biology, biotechnology, or related field
Maximum 8 years post-PhD (per MSCA rules)
At least one peer-reviewed publication
Experience in molecular biology, including cloning and protein expression
Experience in cryo-EM, cryo-ET, or structural biology techniques
Proficiency in English (oral and written)
Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams

Meritorious:

Protein design or engineering experience
Familiarity with AlphaFold2, Rosetta, or multimeric protein prediction
Experience with microbiome sequencing or metagenomic data analysis
Experience with host-pathogen models, antimicrobial peptides, CRISPR, or RNAi
Insect model experience and functional delivery assays
Prior interdisciplinary or collaborative research

Employment Details

Duration: 3 years (fixed-term, full-time)
Location: Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences
Working on-site in Lund, Sweden; travel to Copenhagen, Stockholm, and national imaging facilities (MAX IV, SciLifeLab, CFIM) expected
Position follows Swedish employment regulations for postdoctoral researchers
Competitive salary with government benefits, generous holidays, occupational pension, and flexible working conditions

Application Instructions

Applications must be submitted via the AMBER portal: https://www.ambercofund.eu/for-applicants

Required Documents (PDF format):

Curriculum Vitae (Europass format)
Detailed Research Plan (max 3 pages, including summary/abstract, secondments, schools, conferences, budget)
Letter of Commitment from additional secondment partners (if applicable)
Evidence of English proficiency (minimum CEFR B2)
Draft Individual Career Development Plan (ICDP)
Two reference letters
PhD certificate/diploma or proof of upcoming defense
Ethical questionnaire (HE ethics checklist + research ethics commitment)
If applying for multiple positions (max 3), submit a list with order of preference to amber@linxs.se