PhD student position available in the group of Ronnie Berntsson

We have a PhD student position available, for structural and functional studies of bacterial Type 4 Secretion Systems.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual who has an interest in large protein machineries. We use biochemistry, molecular biology, x-ray crystallography and cryo-EM to study Type 4 Secretion Systems, mainly of Gram-positive origin.


The Berntsson lab is part of the integrated structural biology network at Umeå University, and from the 1st of December also part of the Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine. We are well equipped with state of the art technologies, both for crystallography and EM, including a nanodrop crystallisation robots, Formulatrix crystallisation hotel, an EM facility with Titan Krios and Scios Dualbeam for FIB-milling, as well as other strong facilities.


For further information, and to apply, please go to the official ad:


Informal inquiries about the position can be directed to me at ronnie.berntsson@umu.se. Applications must be sent in via the online recruitment system, with a deadline at 7th of December.

Postdoc position available in the group of Ronnie Berntsson

Postdoctoral fellowship to study Type 4 Secretion System

 

Project description

The Berntsson lab at the department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Umeå University, Sweden, is looking to recruit a postdoctoral fellow to study the structural and functional aspects of Type 4 Secretion Systems. These large protein complexes are responsible for horizontal gene transfer between bacteria. As such, they facilitate the spread of, among other genes, antibiotic resistance between bacteria, both intra- and interspecies.

 

The overall goal of this particular project is to structurally and functionally characterize the integral membrane proteins that make up the conjugation channel. The project will involve molecular biology, biochemistry and structural biology techniques, with an early emphasis on the functional characterization of these proteins and their complexes.

 

Qualifications

The applicant must possess a PhD, or another diploma deemed equivalent to a PhD, within molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology or a related field. Furthermore, the applicant shall have practical experience and expertise of cloning and protein production in bacteria. The applicant should preferably be experienced with functional studies of (membrane) proteins using various molecular biology and biochemical methods, such as ITC, SPR, fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy. Previous experience of working with membrane proteins is an advantage, as is previous experience of fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy. The applicant must have a very good level of English, both written and spoken. The applicant is also expected to be a good team player, but should also be able to work independently.

 

Application

The application should consist of the following:

  1. A short (maximum 1 A4 page) cover letter, explaining the motivation to apply for the position.
  2. The Curriculum Vitae of the applicant, including a list of published peer-reviewed articles.
  3. Copies of the PhD diploma (or equivalent).
  4. Contact details for three references, of which one should be your PhD supervisor.

 

Compile all files into a single PDF or Word file, and then send it to ronnie.berntsson@umu.se. It is important that you write “postdoc application T4SS” in the subject line of the email.

 

The application should be submitted latest on the 5th of February, 2018. The duration of the fellowship is 2 years. Starting date according to agreement. For further information, please contact ronnie.berntsson@umu.se.

 

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