Biodeuteration Scientist

ESSE - European Spallation Source ERIC; Lunds kommun; On-site; SEK 750,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

ESS seeks a Biodeuteration Scientist to support the neutron user program at our Lund campus. You will develop methods for producing deuterated biomolecules, provide materials for user proposals, and optimise purification and analytical capabilities.

Working in a collaborative, international environment, you will supervise visitors and hosted students, coordinate biodeuteration activities with the Lund Protein Production Facility, and contribute to publications and conferences.

Qualifications

• PhD in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry or biotechnology.
• Experience expressing biological molecules in microbial cell cultures (bacterial/yeast).
• Expertise in purification, biophysical characterization and cell culturing.

Responsibilities

• Provide biodeuteration services including production, purification and characterization of biologically deuterated molecules.
• Develop biodeuteration capabilities and related purification/analysis methods.
• Coordinate biodeuteration support including proposal calls and scheduling.
• Maintain and operate biodeuteration facilities with Lund Protein Production Facility.
• Supervise visitors and hosted students/postdocs.
• Collaborate with deuteration labs at other large-scale facilities to expand capabilities.
• Disseminate results through publications and conferences.
• Collaborate with international colleagues to advance biodeuteration capabilities.

Skills

Biochemist background

Molecular biology

Microbial expression

Cell culture

Purification methods

Analytical techniques

Genetic engineering

English communication

Team collaboration

Project coordination

Education

PhD in biology/biochemistry/biotechnology

Tools

Automated bioreactors

Bioprocess equipment

Job description

Reference number ESD-78325

About the role:

The Scientific Support Division at ESS is looking for a Biodeuteration Scientist to support the ESS neutron user program. The Deuteration group at ESS operates a support service providing deuterium‑labelled samples for the scientific users of the ESS neutron instruments for carrying out a broad range of experiments primarily in materials and life science research.

In this position, you will play an important role in ensuring the success of biological and biomaterial experiments at ESS by further developing methods for the biological production of a range of deuterated biomolecules, contributing deuterated materials for user proposals and requested by ESS users, and optimising purification and analysis capabilities. In the ESS Deuteration group, we also work in close collaboration with our international colleagues at other deuteration laboratories.

In this role, you will:

• Provide deuteration services for neutron experiment users, including the production, purification and characterization of a variety of biologically deuterated molecules.
• Further develop ESS capabilities for biodeuteration as well as related purification and analysis methods, in order to meet the evolving needs of the ESS scientific user program.
• Coordinate the planning, organization and operation of ESS biodeuteration support including proposal calls, feasibility reviews and proposal work scheduling.
• Maintain and operate the biological deuteration facilities of ESS in collaboration with the Lund Protein Production Facility at Lund University hosting our biodeuteration activities.
• Supervise and provide technical guidance to visitors and hosted students and postdocs working on biodeuteration projects.
• Participate in external and internal collaborations to enhance ESS biodeuteration capabilities and scientific output of the user programme.
• Disseminate results and method developments through publications in peer‑reviewed journals and at relevant scientific meetings as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Deuteration laboratories at other large‑scale research infrastructure to ensure continuing development of Deuteration services ESS.

This is a full‑time permanent position based at the brand new ESS Campus in Lund, Sweden

About you:

We’re seeking an experienced and highly motivated biochemist/biologist with a PhD in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry or biotechnology and a strong track record of the expression of biological molecules in microbial cell cultures for research. You have experience of bacterial and yeast expression systems and biochemical modifications and purification methodologies. In addition to designing biological production processes and optimising purification methods, you also bring deep expertise and understanding of modern cell culturing and analytical techniques – including automated fermentation systems, purification technologies and biophysical characterisation methods. Experience in protein ligation‑mediated polypeptide engineering, and/or genetic engineering of microbial expression systems is an advantage.

You take pride in delivering reliable results on time, and you thrive in both independent and collaborative settings. Comfortable working with colleagues and neutron users from many disciplines, you have a service‑minded proactive approach and an eagerness to contribute to a fast‑paced, international research environment. Communicating clearly in English – both written and spoken – comes naturally to you, and you’re confident engaging with colleagues from a wide range of technical backgrounds and presenting your work at conferences.

If you’ve worked with biological deuteration previously, that’s a strong advantage. So is experience operating automated bioreactor systems, experience with higher eukaryotic cell culturing, biomolecule production and purification at mg‑g scale, or supporting user‑driven custom projects in research, infrastructure or contract environments. You’re someone who wants to contribute to the bigger picture outside your own lab work – both scientifically but also practically by acting as a driver for the development of new capabilities, maintaining high safety standards, caring for shared infrastructure, and keeping instruments in top condition. Most importantly, you bring curiosity, scientific rigour, and a team‑oriented spirit to everything you do.

To apply:

A career at ESS gives you the opportunity to contribute to the future discoveries within neutron science at a stunning, brand‑new workplace filled with innovative minds and brilliant people from across the globe. We offer market‑competitive, individualized compensation which is differentiated according to role, responsibilities, individual skills, abilities and achievements as well as monthly pension contributions on top of your salary.

If you see yourself in what we’re looking for, please provide your CV and motivation letter in English by clicking on “apply” and following the instructions. The last date for receiving applications is August 25th. Please note that 1st Zoom interviews will take place mid September and onsite interviews mid October.

For further information regarding the position, please contact Talent Acquisition Specialist Sofie Berg on [e-mail] or Hiring Manager Hanna Wacklin‑Knecht – Head of the Scientific Support Division on [e-mail]

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Nerusha Naicker on [e-mail] or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Marc Kickulies at [e-mail]