Postdoctoral fellow in vascular complement in aging (PA2026/2326)

The postdoctoral position is based in the Cellular Biomechanics group within the Vascular Physiology environment at the Department of Experimental Medical Science (EMV), Faculty of Medicine, Lund University. EMV’s mission is to conduct molecular, cellular, and integrative research at the highest international level while training the next generation of successful scientists.

About the workplace

The Vascular Physiology environment comprises three research groups and approximately ten active researchers. Located at BMC D12, the environment has access to 300 m² of laboratory and office space, including state-of-the-art facilities for modern physiology and cell biology. The team includes two full professors, two associate professors, and a mix of PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and technical staff. Expertise spans transgenic models, in vivo physiology, and advanced bioinformatics, supported by strong connections to university-wide imaging and omics platforms.

The successful candidate will focus on the ageing arterial wall and the role of complement in age-related vascular pathology. The department offers a supportive and inclusive research environment characterized by respect, openness, and collaboration. Professional development is encouraged, alongside flexible working conditions that promote wellbeing.

About the project

This research combines experimental approaches with insights from human biobank material and clinical databases to understand how mechanical forces regulate gene expression. The project aims to define mechanisms by generating transgenic models and assessing their impact on vascular function and disease. A key objective is to model increased complement expression in ageing arteries while contributing to collaborative projects with the University of Copenhagen and Gothenburg University.

The project is funded by major Swedish agencies, with postdoctoral support derived from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. It is part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Metabolic Ageing – Collaborative Project grants, offering opportunities to participate in networking activities such as joint workshops, symposia, study trips, and dissemination activities with other groups investigating metabolic ageing.

Responsibilities

• Generate conditional knockout mice using endothelial (Tie1) and smooth muscle (Itga8) Cre lines crossed with mice harboring floxed Cfh alleles.
• Manage mouse colony and biopsy logistics, including breeding strategy, cage setup, and tamoxifen administration for inducible knockouts.
• Coordinate experimental endpoints, which may occasionally require special working hours.
• Assess vascular phenotypes using histological and physiological approaches, including disease models driven by hypercholesterolaemia and hypertension.
• Evaluate systemic complement activation and possible kidney involvement.
• Collaborate with partners in Copenhagen and contribute to ongoing studies on mechanoregulated transcription in the vascular wall.
• Present results at international congresses, within the research environment, and across the collaborative network.

The position includes a yearly travel allowance for attending symposia, along with funds for operating expenses and a bench fee.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree or equivalent foreign degree in Physiology, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, or Medicine. The doctoral degree must have been obtained, or the dissertation submitted and approved for defense, no later than the appointment decision date.
• Ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.
• Teaching ability.
• Strong collaborative skills and ability to work independently.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English to communicate research results effectively.

Qualifications

Meritorious for the position are:

• Applicants who graduated no more than three years before the closing date for applications.
• Teaching experience, either in the laboratory or classroom.
• Experience in basic cell culture, including overexpression and silencing techniques.
• Experience in gene and protein expression techniques.
• Experience working with animals, performing dissections, and studying arteries.
• Understanding of basic inflammatory responses, including the complement system.
• Experience performing myography experiments and knowledge of physiological mechanisms underlying vasoconstriction and vasodilatation pathways.

The assessment of applicants will primarily be based on their scientific merits and potential as researchers, with emphasis on scientific ability within the subject area.

Benefits

• Special benefits, generous holidays, and a favorable occupational pension as a governmental authority employee.

Schedule

The position is a fixed-term, full-time (100%) role starting on 2026-11-01 or as agreed. Employment is on-site in Lund, Sweden, and is limited to a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, in accordance with the collective agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher.

Interviews will be conducted in weeks 40 and 41 at the premises in Lund.