PostDoc position in biochemistry

Om jobbet

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology conducts high-quality research and education in chemical sciences and molecular life sciences. Our research and education focuses on a deep understanding of chemical and biological processes in cells and in the environment. We are responsible for postgraduate education in the subject area Natural Sciences with a focus on chemistry, biophysics, biology and educational science. In addition, the department hosts educational programs in molecular biology, genomics and systems biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry, as well as prescription education. The department is an international environment with interdisciplinary collaborations in both research and education and contributes strongly to the University of Gothenburg's top ranking in life science. We are located in central premises at Natrium, Medicinareberget, Gothenburg.

The purpose of this project is to unravel the regulation of eukaryotic aquaporings focusing on the human homologue Aquaporin 4 (hAQP4) as well as aquaporin isoforms in fish. The project is state-of-the-art where an interdisciplinary approach will be applied, arranged in a strategic setting of established collaboration of groups having complementing expertise, ideally set up to understand a multifaceted question of cellular functions in the most complex of all tissues, the brain. Using a combined approach of methods at the edge of development, the aim with the presented project is to unravel the mechanism of neurological disorders, where the path to new treatments is the understanding of the hAQP4 regulation in brain diseases. We will also study aquaporins from fish, focusing on the isoforms localized to the intestine as well as in sperms. Here we are interested in the regulatory mechanisms which is the basis for good survival of the fish, and in the long-term, sustainable fish farming ((https://www.gu.se/en/research/biochemistry-aquaporins).

The position as PostDoc will be based in the Research division of Biochemistry and structural biology at the Department of chemistry and molecular biology, which since 2023 is localized in Natrium with proximity to research groups and laboratories essential for the project (https://www.gu.se/en/chemistry-molecular-biology/our-research/biochemistry-and-structural-biology).

Duties

With the aim of identifying novel protein interaction partners for hAQP4, a human brain expression library will be screened using a Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) combined with Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Utilizing BiFC in our library screening enables the detection of stable complexes as well as short-term interactions, including weaker or transient interactions such as phosphorylation events, crucial for regulating AQP function. We have developed a very careful and thorough protocol for the entire procedure, from RNA sampling to the identification of promising candidates. This protocol now enables us to efficiently screen potential interaction candidates of AQP4. With the inclusion of carefully designed controls, we can detect interaction partners with high confidence. Proteins interacting with hAQP4 found by the library screen are identified by sequencing of the plasmids after isolation. To verify the formation of the membrane protein complex in vitro, it will be screened in astrocytes using specific antibodies and high-resolution fluorescence microscopy.

Confirmed interaction partners from the human brain expression library will be produced in Pichia pastoris Protein complexes will be characterized biophysically as well as structurally. In addition to evaluation by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and Microscale Thermophoresis (MST), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) will be a valuable method for both biophysical and structuralcharacterization of complexes. Established method for structural determination, Electron Microscopy and X-ray crystallography, will also be applied.

When it comes to aquaporins from fish, those will be purified after recombinant production in the yeast P. pastoris and characterized with respect to function and structure. The function will be studied using proteoliposomes while X-ray crystallography will be the main method for the structural evaluation. The work is carried out independently or together with other group members and requires flexibility and ability to adapt to the different tasks. The position requires professional knowledge and experience in molecular biology as well as a good understanding of both protein chemistry and the academic research environment.

Qualifications

Eligible for the position: as a postdoctoral fellow is someone who has completed a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made. Priority should be given to those who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline.

Requirements for the position:

• You must have a doctoral degree in biochemistry, molecular biology or equivalent.
• You should have many years of experience working in protein chemistry, cell biology, molecular biology or other relevant biomedical fields.
• From your doctoral education and/or previous PostDoc you should have experience working with yeast and integral membrane proteins, expression of recombinant proteins, protein purification using various chromatography-based methods and characterization of proteins using various biophysical techniques.
• You must be fluent in English, both spoken and written.

Meritious for the position:

• Experience in large-scale cultivation of yeast in fermentors
• Documented experience of working with FACS analysis.
• Production of protein samples for structural analysis using X-ray, Cryo-EM or NMR
• Experience working with protein complexes regarding function and structure.
• Very good communication and collaboration skills, professionalism and flexibility are very important qualities as we place great emphasis on personal suitability when filling the position.

Employment

The employment is a fixed position as postdoctor during two years, fulltime, 100% at the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology.

Contact information for the post

If you have any questions about the position, please contact professor; Kristina Hedfalk, e-mail: kristina.hedfalk@gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application

To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline. In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system, Reach mee,. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The selection of candidates is made on the basis of the qualifications registered in the application.

The application must be written in English and include:

• Résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• A general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• Contact information of at least two references,
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered. The qualifications claimed must be documented, certified and translated into English.

All attachments must be labelled in a way that clearly shows their content.

Applications must be received by:2025-12-09

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden's regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.