Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Water and Hydration

Malmo

Reference number P 2025/866

Malmö University is an innovative, urban, and internationally-oriented academic institution that, thanks to its committed and experienced staff, contributes to societal development. Here, teachers, researchers, and other employees with various competencies work together to conduct high-quality education and research. All professional categories and roles are important. You are welcome to apply for a job with us!

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We are looking for
At least one Postdoctoral Researcher in physical chemistry of water and its interactions with molecules and surfaces.

Work duties
The successful candidate will join the research group at Malmö University specializing in the physico-chemical properties of water and its interactions with solid surfaces, biomolecules, and polymers.

Water, a ubiquitous substance, exhibits anomalous properties and is the subject of intensive research. It influences the properties of all molecules and materials it contacts, forming a thin interfacial layer at surfaces with distinct characteristics from bulk water. This project aims to study water’s properties using molecular simulations, investigating its behavior in the bulk and at interfaces, as well as its interactions with other molecules, including biomolecules.

Qualifications
A postdoc is primarily employed to conduct research. They have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree considered on par with a doctoral degree. This is primarily relevant to people who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application period for the position of postdoc has expired. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree may have been completed at an earlier date. Special circumstances constitute time off because of illness, parental leave, clinical practice, union duties or other similar circumstances.

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, theoretical, computational chemistry, or related discipline
• Hands-on experience and scientific expertise in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations
• 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 molecular dynamics simulations of bulk water or interactions of water with surfaces or other molecules
• Experience in molecular simulations of proteins or protein hydration
• Experience in MD simulations of glass transition

Assessment criteria
Accordning to the Appointment Rules at Malmö University, the assessment crieteria 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
• Reflective presentation of their own pedagogical outlook and practices
• 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 79 46. 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 May 1st, 2025. The application must be written in Swedish, English or any of the Scandinavian 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 pedagogical expertise incl. the pedagogical work to be considered (maximum three). The pedagogical works are uploaded on selection question 8.
• Documentation of scientific expertise incl. the primary scientific work to be considered (maximum three). The scientific works are uploaded on selection question 9.
• Professional/clinical experience (if applicable)
• Documentation of leadership and administrative expertise (if applicable)

The application must also include:
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 defense 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.

• 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

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 hr@mau.se if you have books and any other documents that cannot be sent electronically.

Miscellaneous
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of two years. 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
August 18th, 2025, 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 01/05/2025 by clicking the apply button.