[SA_Scat] Vacant postdoctoral position in biological physics at Chalmers University of Technology

Stephen King - UKRI STFC stephen.king at stfc.ac.uk
Wed Jan 16 12:22:51 GMT 2019


The aim of this research project is to determine the internal structure of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for drug delivery, mainly si RNA and mRNA theraputics. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have evolved into smart multifunctional carriers for drug delivery, most notably in the thriving field of siRNA and mRNA therapeutics. Characterization of LNP bulk and in particular surface structure is of major importance to understand their interactions and therapeutic function. However, a structural determination of complex lipid-based nanoparticles with entrapped RNA and other biomacromolecules is challenging due to their size, intrinsic disorder, hierarchical structure at different length scales, low lipid-RNA contrast and fast dynamics. Standard analysis using approximate analytical scattering functions fail to unravel important details like phase separated surface domains, the structure of the interior bulk phase and the conformation of the encapsulated RNA macromolecules. Therefore, the main aim of this Postdoctoral project is to combine small-angle neutron and x-ray scattering (SANS and SAXS) experiments at large-scale facilities with the development of new novel Monte Carlo based data analysis tools to obtain new knowledge on the structure of LNPs, not possible with present experimental and modelling strategies. This will establish not only basic understanding of structures but allow for rational design of new delivery vehicles for e.g. RNA with unsurpassed performance.



The position is for 1 + 1 year (the extension to 2 years is decided after 8 months) and it is funded by the Swedish-German Röntgen Ångström Cluster MEDISOFT. The successful candidate will be placed at Chalmers University of Technology, in Göteborg, Sweden, but collaborate with Lund University, MAX-IV and ESS and the German partners at Ludwig Maximillians University, Munich; MPI for Biophysics Frankfurt and Jülich Center for Neutron Scattering at MLZ, Garching. The exact salary depends on the qualifications of the successful candidate.



Ref 20190020

Postdoctoral position in biological physics

http://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=7122

Application deadline: 22 February, 2019



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Professor Jan Swenson

Department of Physics

Chalmers University of Technology

412 96 Göteborg, Sweden



Phone: +46-31-772 5680

Mobile: +46-730-794217

Fax: +46-31-772 2090

Email: jan.swenson at chalmers.se<mailto:jan.swenson at chalmers.se>

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