Malmö University is an innovative, urban, and internationally-oriented academic institution that, thanks to its committed and experienced staff, contributes to societal development. Here, teachers, researchers, and other employees with various competencies work together to conduct high-quality education and research. All professional categories and roles are important. You are welcome to apply for a job with us!

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We are looking for  

Postdoctoral Researcher in bioengineering with a focus on 3D cell cultures and ex vivo models for pharmaceutical applications at the Faculty of Health and Society.  

Work duties  

We are offering at least one position as postdoctoral researcher within our interdisciplinary project “Biobarriers - health, Disorders and Healing” comprising a network of academic, industrial, and clinical partners. The general vision of the research project is to improve the health and reconstitution of biological barriers by modernizing clinical treatments and products based on molecular-level knowledge. The project further aims to expand existing collaboration with regional universities and infrastructures (including MAX IV and ESS) and industry to form a strong hub in Scandinavia for topical drug delivery, non-invasive analytics and technologies benefiting from a holistic view of biobarriers (skin, mucosa) research and education. In particular, the aim of this project is to investigate how molecular and biophysical aspects of skin and mucosa are influenced by the ambient and contacts with e.g., pharmaceutical formulations. Based on this knowledge, the candidates should be able to relate obtained findings to clinical treatments and industrial products aiming at improving skin and mucosa health and/or preventing defects and disorders of such biobarriers. The activities are divided into several sub-projects, each with its own specific objectives. The sub-projects are linked together by activities aimed at achieving clinical proof of concept and integrating the project's research into education.

We are now looking for a researcher within the subproject 3 “Ex vivo models of skin and mucosa” with the aim of developing advanced ex vivo cell and tissue-derived models enabling multidisciplinary and holistic studies of healthy and disordered skin and mucosa (lung and oral).

Considering that the project requires collaboration between academic, industrial, and clinical partners, it is expected that the applicant actively communicates and collaborates within this context. In particular, this project will be in collaboration with Truly Labs (Lund, Sweden). 

Qualifications  

A postdoc is primarily employed to conduct research. They have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree considered on par with a doctoral degree. This is primarily relevant to people who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application period for the position of postdoc has expired. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree may have been completed at an earlier date. Special circumstances constitute time off because of illness, parental leave, clinical practice, union duties or other similar circumstances. 

We are looking for applicants with scientific proficiency in cell-culture techniques and ex-vivo models for pharmaceutical applications.

Documented project management and leadership abilities are valued. The applicants are further expected to take responsibility for the maintenance of the instruments involved and to be active by supervising graduate and postgraduate students and fellow scientists in the techniques and participating in teaching at graduate and postgraduate levels. In addition, the applicants will be expected to take part in applications for external funding to support research activities and to be. In particular, the candidate will be responsible for organizing and leading monthly meetings with academic and industrial collaboration partners.

In addition to formal competence, University employees must possess the personal capacities necessary to perform the duties of the position well and to represent the University in the best possible way.    

Specific requirements for this position:  

Candidates must have demonstrated scientific competence corresponding to a doctoral degree. The ideal candidate holds a master’s degree in e.g., biochemistry, biology, biological engineering or pharmacy. Hands-on experience in techniques in the following techniques and topics is a strong merit: research related to skin, oral mucosal and lung, cell-based assay (of preference but not limited to tissue engineering and 3D models), PCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, multiplex assay, confocal microscopy, western blot, histochemistry and immunohistology, Franz and flow-through diffusion, and animal studies.

In addition to formal competence, University employees must possess the personal capabilities necessary to perform the duties of the position well and to represent the University in the best possible way. The successful candidate should have the ability to work in a team and collaborate with people from complementary disciplines.

Documented excellent level of English (understanding, speaking and writing) is essential.  

Assessment criteria  

Accordning to the Appointment Rules at Malmö University, the assessment crieteria for a position as Postdoctor are: 

• The quality and focus of the doctoral thesis 
• Research activities within fields relevant to the appointment in question 
• Documented ability to independently conduct research of a sufficient standard 
• Reflective presentation of their own pedagogical outlook and practices 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with actors in other parts of society with a connection to education and research 

Faculty, Department and Research environment  

The Department of Biomedical Science at the Faculty of Health and Society (www.mau.se/bmv) offers programmes leading to professional qualifications as a Prescriptionist and Biomedical laboratory scientist (both first cycle, 180 credits), a Master's programme, Biomedical Surface Science (second cycle, 120 credits), as well as first and second cycle freestanding courses. The Department negotiates the multifaceted intersection between biology, chemistry, medicine, physics, and technology and the interdisciplinary approach to research and education aims to further develop the theoretical and practical understanding of the complex subject matter. Drawing on the balance between basic and applied research, the Department has been successful in attracting funding from regional, national, and international research funding bodies. In addition, in the pursuit of possible applications, several industry-funded contract research projects are currently running at the Department.

The research at the Department is also linked to our research centre “Biofilms - Research Center for Biointerfaces” (www.mau.se/brcb), which involves different faculties and combines biomedical science with clinical and translational research in medical, dental, food, and environmental application areas in close collaboration with regional industry.  

Further information  

Docent Sabrina Valetti  +46 (0)70 382 27 86, sabrina.valetti@mau.se

Prof. Johan Engblom (Dept. Head), +46 (0)70 6087525, johan.engblom@mau.se

Prof. Tautgirdas Ruzgas (deputy Dept. Head) +46 (0)40 6657431, tautgirdas.ruzgas@mau.se

For general questions regarding employment at Malmö University, contact: Heidi Francke (HR-specialist), heidi.francke@mau.se

In our recruitment work, Malmö University has taken a stand regarding recruitment channels and marketing. We therefore decline all offers of advertising and recruitment assistance in connection with this advertisement.  

You can read more about the benefits of working in Sweden here: https://sweden.se/collection/working-in-sweden/    

Application  

You apply for this position via Malmö University's recruitment system by clicking on the "Apply" button. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is completed in accordance with the job advertisement, and that it is submitted to the University no later than 8^th December. The application must be written in Swedish, English or any of the Nordic languages. As an applicant, you are responsible for the application and its appendices being translated.  

According to Malmö University’s qualifications portfolio, the application must include:  

• Curriculum vitae 
• Documentation of pedagogical expertise incl. the pedagogical work to be considered (maximum three). The pedagogical works are uploaded on selection question 6 (if applicable)
• Documentation of scientific expertise incl. the primary scientific work to be considered (maximum three). The scientific works are uploaded on selection question 7.
• Professional/clinical experience (if applicable) 
• Documentation of leadership and administrative expertise (if applicable) 

The application must also include:  

Applicants who have not completed their doctoral degree at the end of the application period can apply provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) decision date for employment. The defense date and fulfilled requirements for the degree must be confirmed at the time of application by the applicant's main supervisor, director of studies or equivalent. 

• Cover letter
• Degree certificate (alternatively certificate with the date of the thesis defense) and other relevant certificates 
• A brief account of research, teaching and other activities relevant to the position to which the application pertains, including a description of how the applicant envisions their future research and teaching  
• Doctoral dissertation  

The rules for appointment of teaching staff at Malmö University are regulated in the Appointment Rules at Malmö University.  

Merits and qualifications must be documented according to Qualifications portfolio for lecturers/researchers at Malmö University.

Application documents  

We accept application documents digitally. Physical documents are accepted only in exceptional cases. Contact jobb@mau.se if you have books and any other documents that cannot be sent electronically.  

Miscellaneous  

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of two years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Swedish Agency for Government Employers, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 1 February 2022. 

Malmö University is a workplace and higher education institution that is characterised by an open and inclusive approach, where gender equality and equal terms add value to our activities.  

Malmö University applies individual salary setting.   

Start date  

As soon as possible   

Union representatives  

SACO-S: Ann-Mari Campbell, ann-mari.campbell@mau.se

Lärarförbundet: Peter Persson, peter.persson@mau.se

ST/OFR: Aje Carlbom aje.carlbom@mau.se    

We are looking forward to receiving your application!