Associate Professor in Biochemistry

Uppsala University, Department of Chemistry for life sciences

Do you want to be part of an outstanding research environment in protein biochemistry and move your research forward at Sweden’s largest faculty of science and technology?

We are now looking for an Associate Professor in Biochemistry specialising in Protein Biochemistry who wishes to be involved in developing and strengthening our research and education at the Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences, Uppsala University.

Biochemistry is a core area at the Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences and a central part of the Faculty of Science and Technology’s life science profile. You will be part of the Biochemistry programme, which conducts outstanding research in the area of understanding the chemical and molecular principles that govern biological systems, with particular emphasis on the structure, function, dynamics, interactions, evolution and catalytic mechanisms of proteins.

The recruitment is strategically important for maintaining and renewing internationally competitive research and education in protein biochemistry. The field is developing rapidly through the integration of advanced experimental methodology, large-scale data, AI-based models and new concepts for understanding, designing and modulating protein function. The successful candidate will contribute to strengthening the programme’s established profile in molecular recognition, protein structure and dynamics, enzymatic mechanisms, protein engineering and/or interactomics, while also helping to develop new areas of research.

The position offers excellent opportunities to build an internationally leading research group in a strong and collaborative environment. The successful candidate will be able to develop synergies with existing activities in biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, enzymology, interaction analysis, protein engineering and computational molecular life science.

We are based at the Biomedical centre (BMC). The research environment provides extensive opportunities for collaboration. Within the department, there are close links to analytical and organic chemistry, the NMR Centre and the Centre for Chemical Mechanism of Life. Within the faculty, there are strong connections to the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology. The position also offers excellent opportunities for collaboration with SciLifeLab, the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Medicine.

The subject area of the position is experimental biochemistry, with specialisation in protein biochemistry.

Protein biochemistry concerns the molecular and chemical principles that govern the structure, function, dynamics, interactions, evolution and catalytic mechanisms of proteins. The subject area includes experimental and/or computational studies of proteins and their roles in biological systems. Relevant areas may include molecular recognition, protein structure and dynamics, enzymology, protein engineering, protein design, directed evolution of protein function, interactomics and/or multimodal analysis.

The position is intended to strengthen and renew research and education in protein biochemistry and to contribute to the continued development of molecular life science at the Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences and the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Duties

You will work with:

• research. Research includes to conduct independent, internationally competitive research in biochemistry. This includes establishing and leading a research group, publishing in high-quality scientific journals, actively applying for external grants, and contributing to the scientific renewal of the biochemistry programme. The research may involve advanced experimental biochemistry, molecular interaction analysis, interactomics, enzymology, protein structure and dynamics, protein engineering, rational protein and enzyme design, directed protein evolution, biologics, targeted protein degradation or stabilisation and/or sustainable biocatalysis.
• teaching. Teaching includes responsibility for courses, course administration and supervision of doctoral students. Teaching includes to teach, in English and Swedish, at first-cycle, second-cycle and third-cycle levels in biochemistry and related areas, with particular responsibility for teaching in protein biochemistry, enzymology, protein structure and function, molecular interactions and biochemical methodology. If you are initially unable to teach in Swedish, Swedish-language training aimed at achieving this proficiency will be included in your duties. The duties also include supervision of degree projects and doctoral students, development of courses and teaching materials, and linking current research to teaching.
• administration. Participate in the general academic duties of the Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences. This includes serving on commi