The project aims at mechanistic understanding of how viruses create small membrane-enclosed spaces in host cells to replicate their genome. Such virus replication organelles are critical in the infection process of both flaviviruses and alphaviruses The focus here is to resolve how specific lipid species and membrane properties contribute to formation of replication organelles. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to explore your research project in a scientific environment including several research groups with extensive experience in virology, biochemistry, structural biology, cellbiology and imaging. Both the Umeå Core facility for Electron Microscopy (http://www.kbc.umu.se/english/ucem/), and the Biochemical Imaging Centre at Umeå University (http://www.kbc.umu.se/english/bicu/) as well as other UmU facilities will be accessible as part of this project. For more information see (https://lundmark-lab.se/)
Tasks
Culturing and analysing mammalian cell models for infection
Designing and developing infection models of flavivirus and alphaviruses
Generating and analysing reconstituted membrane model systems
Lipid and protein biochemistry
Advanced live cell fluorescence microscopy including TIRF and SIM
Design and establish analysis workflow of image analysis
Correlative light and electron microscopy analysis
Eligibility
A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate cell biology or virology is eligible for a postdoctoral stipend researcher. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time at which the decision of the stipend is made.
Applicants should have extensive practical experience of real time fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis. Furthermore, applicants should have practical experience of cloning and protein and lipid biochemistry as well as work with viruses. Applicants must have documented good knowledge of both written and spoken English and must be able to conduct independent scientific work and write scientific works.
Additional useful qualifications
Since a postdoctoral researchers stipend is career-develop based for junior researchers, we are primarily interested in applicants who completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, an applicant who has completed their degree earlier than that may be considered. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, clinical practice, appointments of trust for a trade union organisation or other similar circumstances, and for relevant duties/assignments within the subject area.
It is advantageous if the applicant has a background of working with lipid membranes, membrane associated proteins or membrane remodelling processes. Experience in electron microscopy is also advantageous. In the selection process emphasis will also be placed on a genuine enthusiasm for the research area and methodology, personal suitability, organizational skills, and ability to work collaborative with other lab members, facility staff and users.
More information about the group's research can be found on our websites
A brief description of your research interests and a statement describing why you are interested in the position.
CV
List of publications
Degree certificate from doctoral studies and other relevant degrees
Contact details of two reference persons
The application must be written in English. The application must be made via our e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received latest September 18th, 2026.
