Postdoctoral Researcher – Intrinsically Disordered Proteins in Leicester

The European Spallation Source (ESS) is a partnership organization of 13 European member countries located in the city of Lund, Sweden. The ESS is hiring motivated and inspiring people from across the globe to prepare for the operation of the world’s most powerful neutron source. We seek collaborative, talented people in a range of fields who are excited about playing a part in the future of science in Europe.

ESS is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher as part of the AMBER cofund project. This postdoctoral position will be based in the Large Scale Structures Division at the European Spallation Source (ESS) working with Dr. Andrew Jackson in collaboration with Prof. Marie Skepö at Lund University (Computational Chemistry).

The successful candidate will define and lead a project focused on intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) studied by small-angle neutron scattering. The work may explore self-assembling IDPs, both reversible and irreversible oligomer/aggregate formation, and should involve significant method development. A key component will be the development of advanced analysis strategies involving computational modelling (atomistic, coarse-grained, hybrid, or multiscale approaches) and machine learning approaches to uncover the factors driving IDP behaviour and function.

Description of the AMBER project context: This post-doctoral position is part of the EU cofund research project AMBER, Advanced Multiscale Biological imaging using European Research infrastructures, which will address scientific and sectoral gaps in biological imaging ranging from molecular, through cellular, to tissue, organ and organism levels of organization, and is coordinated by LINXS Institute of advanced Neutron and X-ray Science. AMBER is funded by the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) COFUND scheme. Around 15 postdocs will be recruited in the fifth call 2026, with each fellowship lasting 36 months.

Your work may include clinical and biomedical projects. It may also include technique development work aimed at combining imaging techniques and data analysis to provide a more integrated picture of life processes in the context of health and disease. To be a postdoc fellow at the AMBER programme you will get unprecedented medical, biological, and methodological capabilities, with a profound potential impact for Europe’s next generation of research and researchers. When you have completed the AMBER programme you will be extraordinarily well equipped to further your career in academia, at infrastructures, in the health and MedTech sectors, and beyond.

The interviews will start in April/May 2026. For more information about AMBER, please visit: ambercofund.eu

Your role and responsibilities:

• Conduct scientific research and author scientific or technical publications in the area of intrinsically disordered protein structure and function, with a focus on computational methods of structural analysis applied to Small Angle Scattering data.
• Establish and maintain constructive contacts with universities, laboratories and other relevant actors.
• Take part in peer review of scientific publications, grant proposals, research, and facilities.
• Present scientific research at relevant conferences and workshops, and in seminars and lectures.

Required qualifications and experience:

• PhD in the physical or biological sciences obtained at most 8 years ago.
• At least one original publication in a peer reviewed journal.
• Knowledge and experience in molecular simulation methods as appropriate to the project proposal.
• Ability to work in a team with people of a variety of disciplines in an international collaboration.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.
• Flexibility to travel.

Additional desirable qualifications and experience:

• Knowledge of small-angle neutron or x-ray scattering.
• Knowledge of protein structural analysis.

Application requirements:

• A complete application package submitted through the AMBER portal (including CV and detailed research plan).
• Compliance with MSCA mobility rule – the researcher must not have resided in or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in Sweden for more than twelve months in the three years immediately prior to the application deadline.
• In addition to the AMBER portal submission, the applicant shall supply the following in the ESS application portal: CV, Research Plan, Evidence of English proficiency, Draft Individual Career Development Plan (ICDP), Two reference letters, Ethical questionnaire (HE ethics checklist + research ethics commitment).

Duration & Location: The position is a 3 year term-limited position based in Lund, Sweden.

Application & Contact: Please provide the required application documents in English by clicking on “apply” no later than the 2nd of March 2026. By submitting your application for this position, you acknowledge and consent that your application and personal information provided may be shared with our collaboration partner, for the purposes of recruitment and evaluation. Your information will be processed in accordance with applicable legislation. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time; however, this means that we will not be able to proceed with your application.

For further information regarding the position, please contact the Line Manager, Andrew Jackson, Head of the Large-Scale Structures Division, andrew.jackson@ess.eu. For further information regarding the recruitment process, please contact Recruitment Partner, Sofie Berg, sofie.berg@ess.eu.

We look forward to receiving your application!