Postdoctoral Fellow in Chemistry

Lund University

University: Lund University
Reference number: PA2026/7

About Lund University

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.

Subject Description

This post-doctoral position is part of the EU cofund research project AMBER – Advanced Multiscale Biological Imaging using European Research Infrastructures, which will address scientific and sectoral gaps in biological imaging ranging from molecular, through cellular, to tissue, organ and organism levels of organisation. The project is coordinated by LINXS Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-ray Science.

AMBER is funded by the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) COFUND scheme.

Around 15 postdocs will be recruited in the fifth call 2026, with each fellowship lasting 36 months.

AMBER has six core partners:

• Lund University / MAX IV, Sweden
• European Spallation Source (ESS), Sweden
• European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
• Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), France
• International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines (IMOL), Poland
• Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, United Kingdom

Your work may include clinical and biomedical projects. It may also include technique development work aimed at combining imaging techniques and data analysis to provide a more integrated picture of life processes in the context of health and disease.

To be a postdoc fellow in the AMBER programme you will gain unprecedented medical, biological and methodological capabilities, with profound potential impact for Europe’s next generation of research and researchers. After completing the programme, you will be extraordinarily well equipped to further your career in academia, at infrastructures, in the health and MedTech sectors, and beyond.

For more information about all announced post-doctoral positions within the AMBER co-fund project, please visit:
https://www.euraxess.se/jobs/392999

Interviews will start in April/May 2026.
Further information on AMBER, the application and evaluation process is available at:
https://www.ambercofund.eu

Work Duties

The main duty of a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, up to a maximum of 20 % of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Research Project Description

Elucidating the Mechanism of Triose Phosphate Isomerase

Dr. Esko Oksanen is an expert researcher at the Division of Computational Chemistry and an Instrument Scientist at the European Spallation Source. His research focuses on combining experimental structural information with computational techniques to understand enzyme mechanisms.

Triose phosphate isomerase is a key glycolytic enzyme catalysing a very fast keto-enol isomerisation between glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. Hydrogen atoms play a key role in this process but are not detectable by X-ray crystallography. Neutron crystallography has therefore been used to locate hydrogens in inhibitor complexes (Kelpsas et al. 2021).

While knowledge of protonation states is essential for mechanistic understanding, computational chemistry methods are crucial for modelling the reaction trajectory. Previous QM/MM modelling suggests that alternative approaches may be required. Variant structures also indicate new ways to determine structures with the substrate dihydroxyacetone phosphate.

This project builds on existing neutron data and aims to determine X-ray and neutron structures of triose phosphate isomerase in complex with the substrate. The follow-up aim is to model the reaction trajectory using a combination of QM/MM and empirical valence bond (EVB) methods. The EVB work will be conducted in collaboration with the group of Professor Lynn Kamerlin at Georgia Tech (visiting professor at Lund University).

Qualification Requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires a PhD or equivalent degree completed no more than three years before the employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree may have been completed earlier, but no more than eight years prior, in accordance with the project Grant Agreement with the European Commission.

Minimum requirements:

• At least one original publication in a peer-reviewed journal
• Background in relevant methods: crystallography or computational chemistry of biomolecules
• Complete application submitted via the AMBER portal (including CV and detailed research plan)
• Strict compliance with the MSCA mobility rule

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English
• Experience in structural enzymology

Each project may have additional specific requirements.

Assessment Criteria and Other Qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. Assessment will mainly be based on research qualifications and potential.

Assessment criteria include:

• Ability to develop and conduct high-quality research
• Teaching skills

Consideration will also be given to collaborative skills, drive, independence, and how the applicant’s experience complements ongoing research within the department.

Terms of Employment

Full-time, fixed-term employment for a maximum of three years. Employment is regulated by the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” dated 1 February 2022.

Instructions on How to Apply

Further information, templates and Europass links are available at:
https://www.ambercofund.eu/for-applicants

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications must be written in English and submitted in PDF format.

Required documents include:

1. Curriculum Vitae (Europass format)
2. Detailed research plan (max. 3 pages, including abstract)
3. Letter of Commitment from additional secondment partners
4. Evidence of English proficiency (minimum CEFR B2)
5. Draft Individual Career Development Plan (ICDP)
6. Two reference letters
7. Supporting documents (e.g. PhD certificate or defence date)
8. Ethical questionnaire

In addition:

ix) Applicants may apply for a maximum of three positions. A ranked list of preferences must be sent to AMBER management at amber@linxs.se

Faculty of Science

Within the Faculty of Science, research and education cover Biology, Astronomy, Physics, Geosciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Environmental Sciences. The faculty has approximately 1 500 students, 360 PhD students and 700 employees.

Employment Details

• Type of employment: Temporary position
• Contract type: Full-time
• First day of employment: As agreed
• Salary: Monthly salary
• Number of positions: 1
• Full-time equivalent: 100
• City: Lund
• County: Skåne län
• Country: Sweden