Researcher in Microbiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Researcher in Microbiology

with focus on understanding the role of bacterial interactions in regulating bacterial growth.

This position is located at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (ICM) starting as soon as possible. ICM has a strong and international research and teaching environment and is organized in six major research programs; Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Molecular Biophysics, Molecular Evolution, Molecular Systems Biology, Structure and Molecular Biology. In total the department has over 200 scientists, including 60 PhD students. The current position is located within the research group of Sanna Koskiniemi (http://www.icm.uu.se/microbiology/koskiniemi-lab/), within the Microbiology program.

Project description
The proposed project will take place in an active research group in the Microbiology program at ICM. The focus of this research group lies in understanding the role of bacterial toxin delivery systems in biology. Bacterial toxin delivery (e.g. bacteriocins, type 6 secretion and contact-dependent growth inhibition systems) has previously been shown to be important for antagonistic interactions, allowing bacteria with these systems a competitive advantage in environments where resources for growth are scarce and shared with other bacteria. In addition to their role in competition, all these toxin delivery systems frequently deliver toxins to cells of the same genotype, i.e. cells immune to the toxic activity. In this project the focus is to investigate the function of toxin delivery to cells immune to the toxin. This research has important consequences for understanding how cell-to-cell contacts modulate the organization of multicellular tissues in general; from how to control biofilm formation to the understanding of uncontrolled cell growth in higher eukaryotes.

Duties
The applicant is expected to drive multiple ambitious projects within the area and to supervise younger researchers in the research group (up to 20%). The position is mainly research, but includes administrative duties related to the project; e.g. contacts with collaborators, animal facilities and participation and scheduling of/in meetings. In addition, the researcher is expected to care for a MACS flow cytometer, which is a highly needed instrument for the projects. Duties include general bacteriological and molecular biology work in the laboratory. Oral presentation and writing/editing of scientific papers and grant applications are part of the position.

Qualifications
We are looking for highly-motivated applicants with a PhD degree in a relevant subject and postdoctoral expertise in Micro- and Molecular Biology. Documented expertise in construction of advanced genetic changes in bacterial genomes, bacterial infection experiments in cell culture and in mice, flow cytometry, microscopy, bacterial growth-rate determinations and experimental evolution experiments in bacteria, together with molecular biology skills such as PCS, Sanger and Illumina sequencing and bioinformatic analyses skills are a requirement for the position. Scientific writing and editing as well as research presentations are a natural part of the position so good written and oral skills in English is a requirement. Finally, significant weight will be given to personal suitability such as; personal maturity, flexibility, loyalty, articulateness and stability. The applicant is expected to work well with others, have good problem-solving ability, be service minded and self-going. 

Meriting
- Previous teaching expertise and relevant pedagogical training (for university teachers) can be meriting if in a relevant area for the course given within the microbiology program.

-Previous documented experience on experimental bacterial-evolution, construction of transcriptional and translational reporter fusions with fluorescent proteins, time-lapse microscopy, flow-assisted cell sorting of bacteria and bacterial work in micro-fluidic systems are highly meriting.

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Application
Please submit your application including:

1) CV

2) A letter describing your research interests, skills and motivation to apply for the position (max 2 pages)

3) Diplomas

4) List of publications  

5) Up to three reference letters.

Salary: Monthly pay, individually negotiated salary.

Starting date: As soon as posible or as otherwise agreed.

Type of position: Permanent full-time position, probationary period of six months will be applied.

For further information about the position please contact
Sanna Koskiniemi, tel. +46 18 471 66 83, e-post sanna.koskiniemi@icm.uu.se. Further information about the research group is found at http://www.icm.uu.se/microbiology/koskiniemi-lab/.

Please submit your application by February 17th 2019, UFV-PA 2019/157

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.