Postdoctoral Fellow in Structural and functional characterisation of membraneprotein complexes [...]

ESSE - European Spallation Source ERIC; Lunds kommun; On-site; SEK 436,633 - 654,950; Full time

Job summary

ESSE - European Spallation Source ERIC in Lund, Sweden is seeking a highly motivated postdoc for research on membrane proteins using small-angle neutron scattering. The candidate will establish methodologies for protein reconstitution and characterization, conducting experiments primarily on the Loki instrument.

The role includes collaboration with international partners and participation in a 36-month EU Co-Fund research project. Applicants should have relevant degrees and experience in protein characterization methodologies.

Qualifications

• At least one original publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Experience in protein purification and analysis methods.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally.

Responsibilities

• Establish full experimental pipeline for membrane-protein nanodisc studies.
• Commission SEC-SANS capability on the Loki SANS instrument.
• Conduct neutron experiments primarily on the Loki instrument at ESS.

Skills

Protein purification

Scattering techniques

Cell culture growth

Light scattering

X-ray scattering

Neutron scattering

Laboratory housekeeping

English proficiency

Education

Undergraduate and doctoral degrees in a relevant area of biological or chemical science

Job description

Reference number ESD-81029

Description of the workplace

You will be based in the Scientific Support Division of the European Spallation Source led by Hanna Wacklin‑Knecht, where you will mainly work with developing methods for the deuterium labeling, purification and characterisation of contrast‑matched lipid nanodiscs, and reconstitution of functional membrane proteins for neutron scattering experiments. You will collaborate closely with the Loki SANS instrument team to set‑up the experimental workflows for in‑situ size‑exclusion chromatography to characterise well‑defined nanodisc samples. The project is carried out in collaboration with Anne Martel at the Institut Laue‑Langevin in Grenoble, France, and includes training on the D22 instrument on the nanodisc, membrane protein reconstitution and SEC‑SANS methodologies established there. For the protein expression, nanodisc purification and characterisation work, you will work at the Lund Protein Production Platform LP3 at Lund University where the ESS biological deuteration activities are co‑hosted. You will also have access to a wide range of characterization techniques for nanodisc samples at the Division of Physical Chemistry at Lund University, where Hanna Wacklin‑Knecht holds an affiliation. In addition to carrying out some of the earliest experiments on the Loki SANS instrument at ESS, proposal‑based access to European neutron and X‑ray beam facilities will also be used in this project.

Project Description

Structural and functional characterisation of membrane protein complexes in stealth nanocarriers using SEC‑SANS. We seek a highly motivated postdoc with strong analytical and experimental skills for the development of biologically deuterated lipid nanodiscs and their application to studying the structure and function of membrane proteins using small‑angle neutron scattering (SANS) utilizing in‑situ size‑exclusion chromatography (SEC) to obtain high‑quality samples.

Membrane proteins constitute up to 60% of all known drug targets; however, elucidating their structure and function remains challenging because they depend on a lipid membrane environment. This project aims to extend established stealth nanodisc methodologies by developing experiments to probe protein‑protein interactions and complex formation relevant for membrane protein function in health and disease.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in establishing the full experimental pipeline for membrane‑protein nanodisc studies at ESS, focusing on methodologies for protein deuteration and characterisation of the nanodiscs, as well as the expression and reconstitution of membrane proteins.
• Develop and commission the SEC‑SANS capability on the Loki SANS instrument in close collaboration with the instrument team.
• Apply the developed methodologies to probe complex formation by nanodisc‑embedded membrane proteins, including the apoptosis‑regulating Bcl‑2 and Bax protein complex.
• Carry out neutron experiments primarily on the Loki instrument at ESS and at international facilities, requiring travel for beamtime.

Other Duties

• Research and collaboration within the subject area, as defined in the research work plan set up for the project.
• Participation in the AMBER training programme and activities.
• Participation in ongoing activities relevant for the project at ESS, as well as the Lund protein production platform (LP3).
• Collaboration with ESS scientists and participation in group meetings and facility events.
• Administration and laboratory maintenance related to the work duties listed above.

AMBER Project Context

This post‑doctoral position is part of the EU Co‑Fund research project AMBER, Advanced Multiscale Biological imaging using European Research infrastructures, coordinated by LINXS Institute of advanced Neutron and X‑ray Science. AMBER is funded by the EU Marie Skłodowska‑Curie (MSCA) COFUND scheme. Eight postdocs will be recruited for a 36‑month fellowship.

Qualifications

• Maximum eight years post‑doctoral (PhD), as required by the project Grant Agreement.
• At least one original publication in a peer‑reviewed journal.
• Background in relevant methods, including protein purification, expression, and scattering techniques.
• Complete application package submitted through the AMBER portal and ESS career page, including CV and detailed research plan.
• Compliance with the MSCA mobility rule: researcher must not have resided or carried out main activity in the host organisation’s country for more than twelve months in the three years immediately prior to the call deadline.

Essential Specific Requirements for this Project

• Undergraduate and doctoral degrees in a relevant area of biological or chemical science.
• Experience of protein purification and analysis methods.
• Experience in growing cell cultures for protein production.
• Experience in using light, X‑ray or neutron scattering methods to determine solution structures.
• Experience of working with lipids or detergents.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally.
• Experience of international collaboration and working in an international environment.
• Experience in and willingness to contribute to laboratory housekeeping, safety, and equipment maintenance.

Additional Merit Requirements

• Experience of small angle neutron scattering experiments, data analysis and contrast variation.
• Experience of formulating and characterising lipid nanodiscs or other lipid nanoparticles.
• Experience of membrane‑protein expression, reconstitution or characterization.
• Experience of in‑line size‑exclusion chromatography for structure determination.
• Experience of static and/or dynamic light scattering, or other analysis techniques for lipid nanoparticles.

Assessment Criteria and Other Qualifications

• Good ability to develop and conduct high‑quality research.
• Independent thinking and ability to drive own research.
• Ability to work independently as well as to support and work with others.
• Ability to write reports and publications on methods developed and results obtained.

Terms of Employment

Full‑time, fixed‑term employment of a maximum of 3 years based in Lund.

Application Deadline and Contact

Last day to apply is 24 August 2026.

For further information regarding the position, please contact the Line Manager, Hanna Wacklin‑Knecht, Head of the Scientific Support Division, [e-mail].

For further information regarding the recruitment process, please contact Recruitment Partner, Sofie Berg, [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Statement

By submitting your application for this position, you acknowledge and consent that your application and personal information provided may be shared with our collaboration partner for the purposes of recruitment and evaluation. Your information will be processed in accordance with applicable legislation. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time; however, this means that we will not be able to proceed with your application.