Postdoc in new strategies to reinforce mucosal protection - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Job description

We are recruiting a Postdoctoral researcher to work on a mucus engineering approach to develop new strategies to reinforce the barrier properties of the mucus gel.

What is “mucus engineering”?

Mucus is a fascinating material that sites on our epithelium and that protects us from infections. By “mucus engineering”, we mean that we are modifying the physical properties of mucus by the addition of topical treatments. For instance, we have shown that one can repair dehydrated mucins by grafting them with hydrated polymers, or close down the pores of mucus gel by the addition of mucoadhesive polymers.

What would I be doing?

You would be developing and characterizing efficient new ways to increase the barrier properties of mucus. This could include polymer chemistry, working with several types of mucus materials from animals and humans, measuring the barrier properties of mucus using micro-fluidic devices, exploring the applicability of your mucus crosslinking strategies.

What is expected of me?

As a Postdoctoral researcher, you are expected to design, conduct and analyze research experiments at a high level of quality and autonomy, communicate the research results to the group members and to a wider audience, run multiple projects in parallel, and assist with the in-lab mentoring of master students. The position also involves short stays abroad (mainly to Denmark) to collaborators that are a part of a broader European consortium involved in this project.

What can you expect from this position?

You will be working at KTH in Stockholm in a lab that is pioneering the development of mucus engineering. We work on various approaches to modify mucus properties and on building new mucus-based biomaterial. You will be working in close collaboration with Cirqle Biomedical (oui.us), our spinoff company located in Copenhagen, which develops a new non-hormonal contraceptive for women.

What we offer

• International workplace.
• A leading technical university that creates knowledge and expertise for a sustainable future.
• Colleagues with high ambitions and curiousity-driven in an open and dynamic environment.
• Logistical and administrative help with relocation

Qualifications

A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline, is a requirement.

Knowledge and experience within the following is preferred:

• Biopolymer chemistry or biomolecular engineering
• The assembly or auto-assembly of macromolecules
• Hydrogels
• Microscopy imaging of macromolecular systems
• Cell biology techniques including cell culture, cell viability testing, fluorescence microscopy observation of cells

The candidate should show a good track record of scientific production and communication. This includes scientific publications, conference presentations, and other activities (reports, outreach activities). The candidate should be able to quickly grasp the project context and aims and be able to propose future avenues of work.

The candidate should also have the following personal characteristics:

• Autonomous
• Taking initiatives
• Creative
• Verbal communication
• Problem solving analytical ability

The following personal characteristics are also preferred:

• Research expertise
• Educational ability
• Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues with a particular focus on gender equality
• Teamwork
• Independence

Great emphasis will be placed on personal competence and suitability.

Trade union representatives

You will find contact information to trade union representatives at KTH's webbpage.

Application

Log into KTH's recruitment system in order to apply to this position. You are the main responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the ad.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

Temporary employment for 1 year with the possibility of extension for 1 more year. Start date according to agreement.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Others

Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.