Postdoc for spectroscopy of biocatalytic surfaces

Surflab within the Department of Chemistry at Aarhus University is looking for a postdoc to follow how enzymes can break down toxic molecules at catalytic surfaces using molecular spectroscopy.

The starting date is flexible. A start date of 1 January 2025 or shortly thereafter would be preferred. The initial duration of the employment will be 24 months.

Surface-bound enzymes are used as biosensors and biocatalysts for a wide range of applications in medical devices, filters, renewable energy sources, and CO2 conversion. For all these applications, the orientation of an enzyme plays a deciding role for the effectiveness of the device.

As postdoc in our team, you will determine the orientation and conformation of enzymes at surfaces for different immobilization methods using sum frequency generation spectroscopy and modeling the data in collaboration with simulation specialists in the team. You will be involved in the design of sample cells, data acquisition, and data analysis to determine the mode of action of enzymes at different surfaces. Our lab has recently made progress combining sum frequency spectra with molecular dynamics simulations to obtain detailed information on how proteins interact with surfaces.

Researchers in our group benefit from several new ytterbium-based femtosecond laser systems and a strong community of laser and simulation experts. Join a truly interdisciplinary environment with close collaboration in the United States, Switzerland, India, The Netherlands, and Germany.

Outside of having a strong motivation to work on interfaces and proteins, postdoctoral fellows should have expertise in performing laser spectroscopies to be considered for the position.

The place of work is Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is the Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University and related departments.

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed, a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans, and information about research activities, teaching portfolio, and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Department: Kemi, Institut for/Chemistry, Dept. of

Deadline: 01 October 2024

Location: Aarhus C, Langelandsgade 140