Uppsala University, Department of Chemistry - BMC

The Department of Chemistry – BMC is located at the Uppsala Biomedical Centre campus. It belongs to the Faculty of Science and Technology and conducts research in biochemistry, organic chemistry and analytical chemistry. The research is focused on catalysis, molecular recognition, structure and dynamics of complex molecular systems, and relationships between the presence of biomolecules and synthetic chemical compounds with various disease states. The creative and research-intense environment contributes to a broad knowledge-base as well as cutting-edge expertise.

The Kamerlin group seeks up to two researchers to join our team. We are an international and interdisciplinary team of dedicated scientists who come from different backgrounds to study biochemical problems such as enzyme evolution, and structure-function-dynamics relationships in biomolecular systems, as well as fundamental problems in physical organic chemistry, using a range of advanced computational tools. Where relevant to solving problems of interest to us, we also engage in methodology development. These positions are funded by a range of sources including the Swedish Research Council and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The focus of the work will be on using computational tools to understand and guide the evolution of new enzyme functions, with a particular focus on biocatalytic applications. More details about our team, and our research interests, can be found on the lab website: http://www.kamerlinlab.com.

Duties/Project description: This is a full time postdoctoral position that also includes mentorship of junior researchers. The position will include international travel to conferences and meetings with collaborators, when the circumstances allow. From a scientific perspective, this position will involve computational integration of simulation and experimental data using a range of molecular simulation tools, including both standard and enhanced molecular dynamics simulations, empirical valence bond and QM/MM simulations, free energy calculations, as well as structural bioinformatics tools. You are encouraged to take responsibility for the execution of your project and to contribute creatively to the research plan.

Qualifications required: To qualify for an employment as a postdoctor you must have a PhD degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in a STEM discipline with a strong background in computational chemistry and/or computational biology, with experience in one or more of the techniques used in the Kamerlin lab (see Duties, above).

The PhD degree must have been obtained no more than three years prior to the application deadline. The three year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc. 

Either: (1) experience in modeling enzyme reaction mechanisms and/or enzyme function-dynamics relationships, in particular in the context of understanding enzyme evolution or for biocatalytic applications, or (2) experience in using enhanced sampling approaches (such as replica exchange or metadynamics) to study biomolecular systems, with particular preference given to studies of the role of conformational dynamics in enzyme engineering or evolution.

Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English, as well as publications of a high scientific standard (assessed according to the DORA principles, see https://sfdora.org/read/).

Good collaborative skills, such as working with others or in a team.

Emphasis will also be placed on personal skills. In this case, we place particular weight on the ability to work as part of a team and a positive attitude towards mobility. The applicant will be responsible for a part of a larger project, and the ability to work independently and to take responsibility will be required.

Note that attention will be paid to not just overall scientific achievements, but scientific achievements relative to career stage and years of research experience.

All qualifying requirements will be assessed by interview as well as personal references.

Additional desirable qualifications: We are interested in computational evaluation and evolution of laboratory engineered enzymes, and experience in this field is meriting.

Experience in empirical valence bond simulations is also considered a meriting factor.

Application: The application must include a CV, full publication list, copies of diplomas and certificates, contact details of two references, and a personal letter including a short description of research interests. The application will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Appropriate education and work/research in related fields. Emphasis will also be placed on personal skills.

Salary: Individual salary, according to individual qualifications.

Starting date: As soon as possible, according to mutual agreement.

Type of employment: Temporary position 2 years, according to central collective agreement.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: Lynn Kamerlin (lynn.kamerlin@kemi.uu.se).

Please submit your application by November 16, 2020, UFV-PA 2020/3502.

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.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
Salary Fixed salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Uppsala
County Uppsala län
Country Sweden
Reference number UFV-PA 2020/3502
Union representative
  • Seko Universitetsklubben, seko@uadm.uu.se
  • ST/TCO, tco@fackorg.uu.se
  • Saco-rådet, saco@uadm.uu.se
Published 01.Oct.2020
Last application date 16.Nov.2020 11:59 PM CET

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