Associate Senior Lecturer in Molecular Biophysics

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world's top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

The research at the division of biochemistry and structural biology is aimed at understanding fundamental life processes at the molecular level using experimental and computational approaches, primarily focusing on studies of the function and structure of proteins. The division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology is part of the Center for Molecular Protein Science (CMPS), Department of Chemistry. CMPS offers a creative and strong research environment with excellent infrastructure and several successful groups that have attracted prestigious grants from the European Research Council and the Wallenberg Foundation (see https://www.cmps.lu.se for more information).

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, 6 years, according to chapter 4, section12a of the Higher Education Ordinance, with the opportunity to promotion to senior lecturer.

Job descriptionEmployment as Associate Senior Lecture is a career development position, where the holder is expected to develop his or her independence as a researcher and educator.

The duties will be 80% research and postgraduate education and up to 20% teaching at the undergraduate level. The teaching will mainly include structural biology, but other subjects that are taught within the department's courses will also be included. The content of the work assignments, as well as the distribution and scope of research and teaching, may change during the term of employment.

The candidate is expected to conduct independent research in structural biology with a particular focus on experimental cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and thereby strengthen the department's research profile in this area. The candidate is expected to collaborate with the growing research community at LU using this method, as well as contribute to the development of the local infrastructure. The candidate is expected to actively seek and attract external funding for his/her research activities.

The candidate will teach at the undergraduate and graduate level as well as contribute to the postgraduate education. He/she is expected to supervise doctoral students and degree projects. As part of the teaching staff, the candidate is expected to actively participate in discussions about the department's activities and strategic goals and thus take part in the joint responsibility for a well-functioning research and teaching at the department. Assignments as a teacher representative in working groups/board at the Department of Chemistry may be relevant in the future.

Eligibility
A person who holds a PhD or has the corresponding research expertise is qualified for appointment as an associate senior lecturer. Priority will be given to candidates who have completed their degree or have obtained corresponding expertise no more than five years before the last date for applications. A person who has obtained a PhD or the equivalent expertise earlier may be eligible if there are special grounds.

The associate senior lecturer must have a PhD in structural biology and have successfully completed a postdoctoral stay in a research environment other than the university at which the applicant defended his/her doctoral thesis

For academic staff at Lund University the general qualification requirements are to be suited to and having the general ability required to complete the duties of the post well.

Basis of AssessmentA good ability to develop and carry out high-quality research as well as good teaching skills. The main selection criteria for the position are scientific and pedagogic skills, with an emphasis on scientific skills.

In the assessment, it is a requirement that the applicant:

• demonstrates scientific expertise through scientific publications in the research area of structural biology,
• has significant practical experience of experimental cryo-EM,
• presents an independent research plan that can form the basis for successful funding applications,
• demonstrates very good knowledge of English with good communication skills.

In the assessment, it is meritorious that the applicant:

• has experience and skills that can complement and strengthen research and education within the department,
• demonstrates the ability to establish, renew and develop the research area in question, as well as the ability to obtain external research funding,
• demonstrates documented experience of leadership,
• has experience in planning, developing, and implementing teaching,
• demonstrates good collaborative skills, perseverance and personal maturity, and the ability to organize and structure their work.

It is expected that any non-Swedish speaking appointee within a three-year period will master the Swedish language well enough to be able to teach and to communicate with the university administration in Swedish.

When making the appointment, consideration will be given to the Lund University Appointment Rules.

Promotion
An associate senior lecturer shall on application be promoted to senior lecturer employed for an indefinite period if they have the required qualifications and are deemed to be suitable with reference to the assessment criteria established by the Faculty of Science. An associate senior lecturer can only apply for promotion once.

Assessment criteria for promotion to a permanent position as senior lecturer:

1. Good national and international standing as a researcher
   The applicant conducts research of high quality that garners attention nationally and internationally
   The applicant conducts research with a clear, independent profile.
2. Good teaching ability
   The applicant has good knowledge of the subject and can apply these in practice when teaching.
   The applicant has good teaching skills and demonstrates an ability to develop their teaching within the subject area.
   The applicant has a reflective approach to teaching and learning.
   The applicant has five weeks' training in teaching and learning in higher education, or the equivalent.
3. Ability to participate in the supervision of doctoral students
   The applicant has documented experience and the ability to supervise doctoral students.
   The applicant has a reflective approach to the supervision of doctoral students.
   The applicant has at least two weeks' training in supervision, or the equivalent.
4. Ability to engage with wider society and communicate their activities The applicant has documented experience and the ability to engage with wider society and communicate their activities.
5. General ability to lead and develop activities The applicant has documented experience of and ability in academic leadership.

The application for promotion is to be submitted to the faculty no later than six months prior to the end of the appointment as associate senior lecturer. The application for promotion is to be judged by the teacher's appointment board after acquisition of the opinion of at least two experts on the subject.

Design and content of the applicationWe would recommend you to write your application in English, since it will be assessed by international experts. The application should be formulated according to the Faculty of Science's application instructions for teaching position . Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system.

The Faculty of Science offers a career programme for associate senior lecturers .

The Faculty of Science conducts research and education within Biology, Astronomy, Physics, Geosciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Environmental Science. The Faculty is organized into eight departments, gathered in the northern campus area. The Faculty has approximately 1500 students, 330 PhD students and 700 employees.