Postdoctoral Researcher specializing in the interactions of water with lipids, polymers, and surfaces

Reference number P 2024/1570

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We are looking for  

At least one Postdoctoral Researcher in the field physical chemistry of water and its interactions with lipids, polymers, and surfaces.

The project and work duties  

The successful candidate will become a member of the research group at Malmö University specialized in physico-chemical properties of water and its interactions with solid surfaces, biomolecules and polymers.

The post-doctoral researcher will be involved in at least one of the following projects:

Interactions of biodegradable polymers with water

The project addresses the environmental harm of polymer plastics and the growing need to reduce (micro)plastics in oceans. It seeks to develop eco-friendly, technically viable alternatives for both packaging and advanced applications. By using well-selected raw material blends and scalable production methods, the project will generate knowledge to meet regulatory demands and consumer expectations. Interactions between the materials and water, crucial for biodegradation, will be studied through experimental techniques, with a focus on advanced future applications.

Interactions of water with lipid-based drug delivery systems

Lipid liquid crystalline (LLC) formulations, used as drug carriers, have gained attention for their ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. Their biodegradable, non-toxic, and bioadhesive properties make them ideal for improving bioavailability, dose control, and patient compliance while reducing side effects. Detailed physico-chemical characterization is essential for regulating their function and understanding drug release behavior. We will use water-lipid interactions to fine-tune physico-chemical properties of formulations that determine drug release rate.

Interactions of water with solid surfaces

Water, a ubiquitous substance, affects the properties of all molecules and materials it contacts, forming a thin interfacial layer at surfaces with distinct properties from bulk water. These properties are influenced by the presence of various molecules such as salts, hydrophobic molecules, surfactants, and biopolymers. This project aims to study the properties of water at interfaces, particularly how these are influenced by hydrophobic molecules, surfaces, electrostatic interactions, and specific ion effects. Experimental methods include contact angle measurements, AFM, QCM-D, DLS, SAXS, and FTIR. Potential applications include developing environmentally friendly washing and cleaning methods.

In these projects, apart from doing research, the post-doc will collaborate with or co-supervise PhD students. Considering that the project requires collaboration between researchers with different academic backgrounds and also industrial partners, it is expected that the applicant actively communicates and collaborate within this context. Documented project management and leadership abilities are therefore valued.  

Qualifications  

A researcher must have a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree considered on par with a doctoral degree. The ideal candidate holds a PhD degree in e.g., physical chemistry, surface or colloid chemistry, physics or biophysics, physical pharmacy etc.

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 a PhD or equivalent
•  Strong background in physical chemistry or related discipline
• Strong skills in laboratory work
• Ability to present and communicate research ideas to researchers in spoken (communications) and written (research papers) forms.
• Good command of written English.

The following would be of benefit for the position:  

• Experience in surface characterization techniques, calorimetric or water sorption techniques, scattering techniques, other laboratory techniques relevant for surface and colloid chemistry or pharmacy
• Strong software skills, e.g. in MATLAB, molecular modeling software etc.

Assessment criteria  

According to the Appointment Rules at Malmö University, the assessment criteria 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
• 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 two bachelor's programmes that also lead to a professional degree, prescriptionist (first cycle, 180 credits) and biomedical analyst (first cycle, 180 credits), and a master's programme in biomedical surface science (second cycle, 120 credits), as well as freestanding courses at undergraduate and advanced level. The department works in what arises in the streams of knowledge from chemistry, physics, biology and medicine. The interdisciplinary education and research conducted aims to broaden the knowledge base and translate the knowledge into applications. In this interaction between knowledge building and application, our students are out in pharmacies, clinics, hospital laboratories and companies. Our researchers constantly challenge boundaries between scientific specialisations, between basic and applied research, and between academia and industry.

The research at the department is also linked to the research center "Biofilms - Research Center for Biointerfaces" (www.mau.se/brcb), which combines pharmacy, biomedical science with clinical and translational research with pharmaceutical, medical, dental, food and environmental application areas in close collaboration with regional industry.   

Further information

Vitaly Kocherbitov, Professor. Phone: +46 40 665 7810. E-mail: vitaly.kocherbitov@mau.se

Johan Engblom, Professor. Phone: +46 40 665 74 83. E-mail: johan.engblom@mau.se

For general questions regarding employment at Malmö university, contact HR-specialist Heidi Francke, 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 October 18th. 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 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: 

• 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  

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 defence 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. 

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 with possibility of extension. 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  

December 1st, 2024, or as soon as possible by agreement.

Union representatives  

SACO-S: Désirée Annvir, desiree.annvir@mau.se

Sveriges Lärare: Peter Persson, peter.persson@mau.se

OFR/S (ST): Lutfi Zuta, lutfi.zuta@mau.se

We are looking forward to receiving your application!

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You apply no later than 18/10/2024 by clicking the apply button.