Assistant Professor in Chemistry
Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 54,000 students, more than 7,500 employees and a turnover of around SEK 8 billion.
The Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) is a national centre for large-scale data and hypothesis-driven research in the field of molecular biosciences. SciLifeLab is the joint project of four universities: Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University and Uppsala University. SciLifeLab is currently looking for an excellent research group leader to reinforce the Uppsala research environment.
The organic chemistry program has a broad research portfolio including synthetic, physical organic, medicinal, materials and computational chemistry, and it has especially close connections with research groups at biochemistry and analytical chemistry, some of the collaborations bridging the research programs. This leading European research program also hosts the NMR Uppsala cross-disciplinary technology platform, which acts as the small molecule node of the SwedNMR Swedish national NMR network and it is further supported by SciLifeLab. The NMR platform is located close by and has connections to SciLifeLab’s biophysical screening and characterization and to SciLifeLab’s medicinal chemistry – lead identification platforms as well as to the mass-spectrometry-based proteomics facility of Uppsala University.
The NMR platform has four solution NMR spectrometers (2 × 400, 500 and 600 MHz), of which the two mid-field spectrometers have the newest Bruker NEO console and are equipped with TCI and TXO cryogenic probes. As part of the SwedNMR network, the platform offers access to Sweden’s high field NMR spectrometers (700-900 MHz). The platform provides access to advanced instrumentation, expert support and theoretical and practical training (BSc, MSc and PhD level courses on yearly basis) on virtually all fields related to solution NMR spectroscopy.
The current chief expertise of NMR Uppsala is small molecule NMR spectroscopy, integrating applications from organic, natural product and medicinal chemistry towards material sciences. We wish to widen our expertise by the recruitment of a rising star with a distinct experimental profile within the broad field of biomolecular NMR spectroscopy in solution. The recruited assistant professor will be expected to broadly collaborate with the research groups within the department subunits for organic chemistry, biochemistry and analytical chemistry and contribute to SciLifeLab’s research. The appointment has been enabled by ScliLifeLab funding. The internationally competitive start-up package includes salary for the fellow, contributions towards PhD student salary and running costs.
The Department of Chemistry – BMC has a long tradition of cutting-edge research in life sciences, and expects applications from highly motivated and outstandingly talented individuals who are competitive at international level. You can find more information about us here.
Working in Sweden offers opportunities for a good work-life balance. Sweden offers a system of guaranteed and affordable day-care. Education is free, including universities. English is widely spoken. A large fraction of the courses at the Department of Chemistry –BMC is given in English. The majority of BSc and MSc thesis works are written in English, as are all PhD theses.
We offer free Swedish courses to all non-Swedish speaking employees for helping in integration and for use in teaching.
The International Faculty and Staff Services of Uppsala University is an EURAXESS Centre that provides in-depth support and information to international researchers and helps their integration by organising activities, including introduction seminars, information meetings, social activities, guided tours and Swedish courses. Uppsala city is keen on supporting the recruitment of foreign talents and provides incoming researchers extensive support through the Uppsala International Hub.
Bio-NMR spectroscopy constitutes the area of NMR spectroscopy that focuses on applications and/or method development aiming at the characterization of structure, dynamics, and interactions of biomolecules of relevance for medicinal chemistry, in studies of biological macromolecules, or for applications within organic chemistry and biomaterials. The research expected from the fellow should preferably be of experimental in character.
Duties
- Teaching, research and administration. Teaching duties include course responsibility and course administration and supervision of second- and third-cycle students.
- Follow developments within the subject area and the development of society in general that is important for the work at the university.
- The assistant professor is expected to establish an independent and internationally recognized research profile in NMR spectroscopy.
- We expect the successful candidate to value and participate in the general academic work at the Department of Chemistry – BMC. This includes serving on committees, taking on responsibilities above one’s own research and teaching tasks, participating in the evaluation and development of teaching and research tasks, solving tasks with colleagues, and helping and giving feedback to colleagues.
- We expect our new colleague to establish collaborations with the research groups of the Department of Chemistry – BMC, and to provide expertise and support projects that are related to bio-NMR spectroscopy at our university.
Appointment Period
The position can be held for a maximum of six years. An Assistant Professor can apply for promotion to Associate Professor. If the Assistant Professor is deemed suitable and fulfills the criteria for promotion established by the Faculty Board he/she shall be promoted to and employed as Associate Professor.
Qualifications Required
- PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry or related fields. Applicants who have obtained a PhD degree or achieved the equivalent competence in five years or less prior to the end of the application period will be given priority.
- Research Expertise and Teaching Expertise. It is necessary that the pedagogical skills, the research expertise and the professional skills are relevant to the content of the employment and the tasks that will be included in the employment.
- Applicants should have completed teacher training of relevance to operations at the University, comprising five weeks, or have acquired the equivalent knowledge. If special circumstances apply, this training for teachers in higher education may be completed during the first two years of employment.
- Documented ability to teach in Swedish or English is a requirement unless special reasons prevail.
- Personal capabilities necessary to carry out fully the duties of the appointment.
Assessment Criteria/Ranking of applicants that fulfil the above-mentioned qualifications required
The ranking of eligible applicants will be based primarily on research and teaching expertise, of which weight will be primarily given to research expertise.
Research Expertise comprises research merits as well as the applicant´s potential to contribute to the future development of both research and teaching. In assessing research expertise research quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of research, primarily in regard to depth and breadth, must also be afforded consideration. In assessing research expertise special weight will be attached to research merits NMR spectroscopy directed towards bio NMR. Applicants for must be able to demonstrate potential for excellent research and teaching. International experience and extensive postdoctoral training is expected. A proven track record to attract major national and international grants that facilitate the start of a successful independent research career. This expertise is important and will be given high consideration.
Teaching Expertise comprises educational and teaching qualifications. In assessing teaching expertise teaching quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of teaching experience, in terms of both breadth and depth, must also be afforded consideration. In assessing teaching expertise special weight will be attached to merits in merits in teaching laboratory classes and/or lectures as well as students supervision on second and third cycle projects. Interest and competences in teaching chemistry at all levels of university education is essential. Accordingly, a successful candidate must be able to teach all topics of introductory chemistry as well as undergraduate and graduate-level courses for instance in the fields of biophysical chemistry, organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry as well as NMR-spectroscopy. The fellow is expected to be able to teach in Swedish after 2 years.
Administrative Expertise is important for the employment and will be given consideration.
Management Expertiseis important and willbe afforded consideration.
Collaboration Expertise is important and will be afforded consideration.
All merits must be documented in a manner that makes it possible to assess both quality and scope.
In filling this position the university aims to appoint the applicant who, following a qualitative holistic assessment of her/his competence and expertise, is judged to have the best potential to carry out and develop the relevant duties and to help advance operations.
Further information
In an overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, parental leave, part-time work relating to care of children, union assignments, military service, or the like are to be regarded as work experience.
Salary: Individually negotiated salary.
Starting date: As agreed.
Type of employment: Temporary full-time position six years.
Scope of employment: 100%
Town: Uppsala
For further information about the position please contact: Professor Mate Erdelyi (Phone: +46 72 9999166, e-mail: mate.erdelyi@kemi.uu.se)
Please submit your application by November 2 2022, UFV-PA 2022/2893.