Post-doctoral fellow in Molecular Plant Biology

Lund University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world's top 100 universities. The University has around 46 000 students and more than 8 000 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.

Subject description The employment is part of the 5-year project “PlantEra – Biomolecular and structural comparisons of ancient and modern plants– tools for tracing phylogeny and survival strategies during mass extinctions”; https: // kaw.wallenberg.org/en/research-projects-2020. Within the project framework, exceptionally well preserved 50-200 million year old plant remains will be studied including plant groups that survived several mass extinctions, while others went extinct. We aim to identify subcellular differences between the survivors and those that perished. Fossils will be compared with modern related plants regarding microstructure, biomolecules and trace elements, using multiple methodologies. In parallel, modern relatives of ancient plant species will be investigated for molecular responses to paleomimetic growth and stress environments. Functional properties will be modeled based on structural characteristics. This project will provide a unique insight into evolutionary biomolecular relationships between extinct plant groups and our modern flora, and gain information about the adaptation of plants to drastic environmental changes and contribute knowledge about physical functions that control the resilience and survival of plants under critical environmental conditions.

Work duties The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

The major duties will be to:

Detail design, management and performance of paleomimetic growth and stress experiments, including anatomical, physiological and genetic response analyses.

In collaboration, detect and identify molecular signatures and subcellular structures in fossil or mummified plant parts by diverse microscopy and synchrotron biomolecular methodologies.

Practical management of communication with paleobotanists and modelling specialists within the project consortium.

Develop and suggest plans for furthering the project activities.

Supervision of postgraduate and undergraduate students within the project.

Management of some equipment used in the project and sharing responsibility for for the functionality of laboratory resources.

Applying for external research funding

Communication of discoveries to academia and society, including the writing and publication of manuscripts and presentations in conferences.

Qualification requirements Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. Documentation of the PhD degree must be included in the original application.

Additional requirements:

Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

A degree in plant biology with a molecular component or molecular cell biology including plants as a study material, or similar.

A good track record of publishing peer-reviewed academic papers

Experience in investigating biological functions of genes and proteins in plant organs and/or cells using molecular methods

Experience of plant bioinformatics including gene and protein database work.

Experience of microscopy analysis

Ability to work efficiently both independently and as a member of a small team.

Ability to organize resources, plan and progress work activities, and meet deadlines effectively and consistently.

Ability to communicate scientific results and knowledge to students and non-specialists.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject, the ability to develop and conduct high quality research, collaborative skills, drive and independence.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.

Teaching skills.

Additional assessment criteria:

Education or otherwise obtained special knowledge and knowhow on the paleobiology and stress biology of plants is of merit.

Documented ability and experience in practical and in silico molecular physiology work with plants is of merit.

Documented ability and experience of supervising students, individually and in groups, is. of merit.

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant's experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 3 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022. Start date: as soon as possible according to agreement.

Instructions on how to apply Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

Résumé/CV, including a list of publications

A general description of past research and future research interests, including methodological knowhow (no more than three pages)

Contact information of at least two references, including the previous main supervisors

Copy of the doctoral degree certificate.

Grades for the PhD, MSc, and BA studies, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered

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

We kindly decline all sales and marketing contacts.

Type of employment Temporary position

Contract type Full time First day of employment As soon as possible according to agreement Salary Monthly salary Number of positions 1 Full-time equivalent 100 City Lund County Skåne län Country Sweden Reference number PA2023/622 Contact

Allan Rasmusson, Professor, +46462229381,[email protected]

Helena Skönvall, HR, [email protected]

Union representative

OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-2229362

SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, [email protected]

SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-2229366

Published 01.Mar.2023 Last application date 22.Mar.2023 11:59 PM CET

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