Work profile

The successful applicant will perform experimental research to understand how membrane proteins belonging to the TRP-channel family are regulated in normal
and pathophysiology using single particle cryo-EM. You should be creative, with good interpersonal and collaborative skills, power of initiative, and a high degree of independence. In particular, you must master cloning, production, purification and analysis
of membrane proteins as well as sample preparation, data collection, processing and analysis for determination of cryo-EM structures. In addition, experience of composing and writing manuscripts is considered of importance.

Research environment

The research will be supervised by Prof. Peter Zygmunt in collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Pontus Gourdon, together providing the necessary academic knowledge
and laboratory equipment facilities as well as national and international academic networks to successfully investigate the structure-function relationship of TRP channels, and in particular the requirements for ligand gating mechanisms of TRP channels involved
in various cellular processes. Prof. Peter Zygmunt has over a time period close to 25 years established an internationally recognized translational research environment at Lund University, focusing on both clinical and molecular aspects of TRP channel regulation
with prime interest in pain signaling and secretory cell signaling. Assoc. Prof. Pontus Gourdon offers know-how in membrane protein structural biology. The group of Assoc. Prof. Gourdon is located to Lund University as well as to University of Copenhagen.

Selected recent publications from the two groups:

• Li et al. (2022) Structures of Atm1 provide insight into [2Fe-2S] cluster export from mitochondria.
  Nature Communications 13(1):4339
• Wiuf et al. (2022) The two-domain elevator-type mechanism of zinc-transporting ZIP proteins.
  Science Advances
  8, eabn4331
• Moparthi
  et al. (2021). The human TRPA1 intrinsic cold and heat sensitivity involves separate channel structures beyond the N-ARD domain.
  bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.07.31.454589; 2021
• Grønberg et al. (2021). Structure and ion-release mechanism of PIB-4-type ATPases.
  Elife 10:e73124.
• Li et al. (2021). Structure and transport mechanism of P5B-ATPases.
  Nature Communications 25(12):3973
• Wang et al. (2021). Cryo-EM reveals the architecture of placental malaria VAR2CSA and provides molecular insight into chondroitin
  sulfate binding. Nature Communications 12:2956.
• Moparthi and
  Zygmunt PM
  (2020). Human TRPA1 is an inherently mechanosensitive bilayer-gated ion channel.
  Cell Calcium. 91:102255.
   

Scholarship period:
The scholarship covers a period of maximum 24 months.

Application deadline:
August 31^st,
2022

Preliminary start date:
October 1^st,
2022, or according to agreement

Supervisor/contact person:

Peter Zygmunt, +46 (0)46-222 69 06, peter.zygmunt@med.lu.se

Pontus Gourdon,
+46
(0)739-95 98 56, pontus.gourdon@med.lu.se

Qualifications:

• To be eligible for a post-doc scholarship at Lund University the recipient must hold a PhD degree within a relevant field. The PhD degree must not be from Lund University.
  The PhD degree must not be older than three years, unless special reasons may be invoked such as: illness, parental leave, commission of trust, military/civil defense service or similar missions. The applicant must not have been employed at Lund University
  in the past two years.
• PhD in structural biology, protein chemistry or equivalent research areas. Certificate of eligibility shall be provided at the latest when the employment decision is taken.
• Experience of cloning, production and purification of membrane proteins.
• Experience of single particle cryo-EM on membrane proteins including the preparation and freezing of protein samples.
• Experience of screening samples using “state-of-the-art” electron microscopes such as Talos, Glacios and Krios.
• Experienced publication of cryo-EM structure studies.
• Experience of interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
   

Written application, including reference number, is to be sent via e-mail to the supervisors and must include the following:

• CV
• Personal letter stating the reasons why the study suits the applicant (maximum one page)
• List of publications
• References (2)
• Indicate the reference number (V2022/1491) in the email and in the attached application

 
Information regarding scholarships at Lund University

• The scholarship sum is paid out quarterly
• A scholarship awarded will be reviewed every six months
• Scholarships are tax-exempt
• Scholarships do not give rise to sickness benefits, compensation from the Social Insurance Office or retirement pension.
• A scholarship holder cannot be hired after the scholarship period due to tax reasons.