One Postdoctoral Positions About Cryo-EM at iNANO, Aarhus University

One postdoctoral position is available at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Denmark. The position is for two years with an option for extension, starting 1 September 2013 or soon thereafter.

The project rests on an interdisciplinary science platform focusing on the characterization and exploitation of biological molecules or cell For 3D images. The work will be done in close collaboration with other researchers at Aarhus University. It is expected that all candidates have excellent communication skills, are highly motivated for working in an interdisciplinary environment and are enthusiastic about the applications of Cryo-Em to Life Sciences.

Applicants should have a PhD degree in molecular biology, chemistry, physics, materials science, or equivalent disciplines with a successful and documented scientific record, and ideally have previous experience in Cryo-EM. Experience in handling of Cryo sample preparation, data collection and 3D reconstruction is advantageous.

Positions are available in the following areas:

A: Cryo-electron tomography of bacteria or amyloid protein. Recently, Cryo EM has shown its power and now increasingly employed as a technology to provide structural aspects of intact bacterial cells and amyloid protein. With the map of high resolution after 3D reconstruction, more and more biology information and behavior could be revealed. We would like to comibine our powerful Titan Cryo-EM (300kV) and data analysis methodology to continue explore the mystery of bacteria behavior and amyloid protein functionality.

B: Single particle analysis of DNA nanostructures and virus-like microorganism. The structure analysis of single particles by Cryo-EM are essential for achieving quasi-atomic levels of resolution, where involves a large number of techniques and algorithms. Combined with Atomic Force Microscopy, it may allow us to predict and manipulate quasi-atomic structure and composition.

More detail information can refer the following papers:

1, Pfeffer, C.; Larsen, S.; Song, J.; Dong, M.; Besenbacher, F.; Meyer, F.L.; Kjeldsen, K.U.; Schreiber, L.; Gorby, Y.A.; EI-Nagger, M.Y.; Leung, K.M.; Schramm, A.; Risgaard-Petersen, N.; Nielsen, L.P.; Nature, 2012, 491, 218-221

2, Zhang, S.; Andreasen, M.; Nielsen, J.T.; Nielsen, E.H.; Liu, L.; Song, J.; Ji, G.; Sun, F.; Skrydstrup, T.; Nielsen N.C.; Besenbacher, F.; Otzen, D.E.; Dong, M.; PNAS, 2013, doi:10.1073/pnas.1209955110

3, Zhang, Y.; Wang, W.; Chen, J.; Zhang, K.; Gao, F.; Gao, B.; zhang, S.; Dong, M.; Besenbacher, F.; Gong, W.; Zhang, M.; Sun, F.;Feng, W.; Structure, 2013, 21, 977-1006

Formalities and salary range

The Faculty of Science refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, cover letter, degree certificate, a complete list of publications and two reference letters. The recommended level of detail.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Confederation of Professional Unions.