Biodeuteration Scientist

The European Spallation Source (ESS) will soon be the world’s most powerful source of neutrons, providing researchers with unique opportunities to explore the structure of materials at the atomic level. Neutron scattering at ESS will address critical questions in physics, chemistry, geology, materials science and life science.

The Scientific Support Division at ESS is looking for a Biodeuteration Scientist to support the ESS neutron user program. The Deuteration group at ESS operates a support service providing deuterium‑labelled samples for the scientific users of the ESS neutron instruments for carrying out a broad range of experiments primarily in materials and life science research.

In this position, you will play an important role in ensuring the success of biological and biomaterial experiments at ESS by further developing methods for the biological production of a range of deuterated biomolecules, contributing deuterated materials for user proposals and requested by ESS users, and optimising purification and analysis capabilities. In the ESS Deuteration group, we also work in close collaboration with our international colleagues at other deuteration laboratories.

• Provide deuteration services for neutron experiment users, including the production, purification and characterization of a variety of biologically deuterated molecules.
• Further develop ESS capabilities for biodeuteration as well as related purification and analysis methods, in order to meet the evolving needs of the ESS scientific user program.
• Coordinate the planning, organization and operation of ESS biodeuteration support including proposal calls, feasibility reviews and proposal work scheduling.
• Maintain and operate the biological deuteration facilities of ESS in collaboration with the Lund Protein Production Facility at Lund University hosting our biodeuteration activities.
• Supervise and provide technical guidance to visitors and hosted students and postdocs working on biodeuteration projects.
• Participate in external and internal collaborations to enhance ESS biodeuteration capabilities and scientific output of the user programme.
• Disseminate results and method developments through publications in peer-reviewed journals and at relevant scientific meetings as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Deuteration laboratories at other large‑scale research infrastructure to ensure continuing development of Deuteration services ESS.

We're seeking an experienced and highly motivated biochemist/biologist with a PhD in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry or biotechnology and a strong track record of the expression of biological molecules in microbial cell cultures for research. You have experience of bacterial and yeast expression systems and biochemical modifications and purification methodologies. In addition to designing biological production processes and optimising purification methods, you also bring deep expertise and understanding of modern cell culturing and analytical techniques – including automated fermentation systems, purification technologies and biophysical characterisation methods.

Experience in protein ligation‑mediated polypeptide engineering, and/or genetic engineering of microbial expression systems is an advantage.

You take pride in delivering reliable results on time, and you thrive in both independent and collaborative settings. Comfortable working with colleagues and neutron users from many disciplines, you have a service‑minded proactive approach and an eagerness to contribute to a fast‑paced, international research environment. Communicating clearly in English – both written and spoken – comes naturally to you, and you're confident engaging with colleagues from a wide…