Postdoctoral Fellow Position – Epigenetic and chromatin dynamics

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Description of the workplace

The Epigenetics and Chromatin Dynamics research group at the Department of Experimental Medical Science within the Faculty of Medicine is currently conducting research on the mechanisms underpinning the epigenetic control of the repetitive genome in stem cell models of early human development. The group was established in 2022 by Dr Christopher Douse and currently consists of seven researchers. The group works closely with in close alignment with strategic infrastructures within the Medical Faculty, particularly Lund Stem Cell Center. Our lab is located at BMC in Lund. As a workplace, we ensure a good and safe work environment with respect and consideration for each other. We strive to create conditions for job satisfaction, development, and participation for all employees.

Project description

We are now looking for a postdoctoral researcher to run projects in the lab related to the epigenetic regulation of polymorphic repeats in human brain development. This will involve analysis of novel long-read sequencing approaches to detect and measure dynamic genetic sequences, for example transposable elements and tandem repeat expansions.

Tasks and responsibilities

At Lund University, a postdoctoral position shall provide the opportunity for scientific and pedagogical merit. There is primarily scope for merit in research, but also for some higher education pedagogical training. Teaching may also be included in the duties.

This position is primarily a research position that combines experimental and computational work. You will, in particular, be responsible to develop and implement a novel long-read epigenomic technology designed to measure repeat activation as a function of repeat type and size. You will be responsible for both ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ lab activities and collaborate with the group leader to write research manuscripts related to this work. You will attend local, national and international conferences to communicate findings. You may also be expected to participate in the supervision of undergraduate and master’s students.

Qualifications

Requirements for the position are:

• doctoral degree or equivalent foreign degree in molecular biology, genetics or closely related discipline. The doctoral degree must have been obtained no later than the date on which the appointment decision is made.
• ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.
• teaching ability
• you have deep experience in long-read sequencing technologies with a focus on the repetitive genome, both from a methodological and analytical perspective
• you have expertise in mechanisms of DNA methylation and transcriptional regulation by histone modifications
• you have deep expertise in human stem cell models for measuring epigenetic regulation of transposable elements and polymorphic repeat alleles
• you are self-motivated and collaborative with an analytical mind and capacity to structure more than one project in parallel
• you have the ability to communicate complex findings clearly is a merit
• you speak and write English fluently

Merits for the position are:

• Applicants who graduated no more than three years before the closing date for applications
• experience of Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) sequencing is a merit
• an ability to support grant applications would be an additional merit

The assessment of applicants will primarily be based on their scientific merits and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area.

What we offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means that you get special benefits, generous holidays and a favourable occupational pension.

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About the employment

The position is a fixed-term position for two years in the first instance, with possibility to extend for a further one year. The position is for 100% employment with a start date of 2026-05-13 or as agreed. Employment at Lund University is based in Sweden, so you are expected to be able to perform your work on site in Lund.”
The position is limited to a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, in accordance with the collective agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher (Arbetsgivarverket). A position as a postdoctoral researcher is intended as an initial step in your career and as an opportunity to further deepen and broaden your research expertise

Other information

Interviews will be conducted at our premises in Lund in late March or early April.

How to apply

You apply for the position via the university’s recruitment system. The application should include a short (max 1-page) personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the position matches your qualifications. The application should also include your PhD degree certificate, CV and details of references.

The Faculty of Medicine is a part of Lund University, and is responsible for education and research within medicine and healthcare. Our academic programs are closely linked with the healthcare system and are firmly anchored in the faculty’s strong research tradition. Our research spans a broad field within experimental preclinical research, near-patient clinical research and health sciences research. The Faculty of Medicine, with its 1,800 employees and 2,700 students in Lund and Malmö, is a knowledge-intensive meeting place for students, teachers and researchers from all over the world.