Head of Unit: Infrastructure Unit for Exposomics

The Infrastructure Unit for Exposomics is a new pilot unit at Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) that is hosted by the Department of Environmental Science (ACES), Stockholm University. SciLifeLab is a national research infrastructure with a mission to provide cutting-edge, unique, and enabling molecular technologies to the Swedish research community, including to support large-scale initiatives addressing societal grand challenges.

A PhD-level scientist is sought as ‘Head of Unit’ to manage and develop exposomics services. The exposome concept promises to reveal environmental causes of toxicity and disease, and the chemical component of the exposome is increasingly accessible to scientists through mass spectrometry-based exposomics, including in human biofluids and environmental samples.

High resolution analytical technologies and open science data workflows can now reveal complex environmental exposures throughout the life-course, and the resulting data can now be leveraged in future studies of human and environmental health.

ACES is one of the largest departments in the Faculty of Science. The department is divided into four units with more than 170 researchers, teachers, doctoral students and technical/administrative staff from over 30 countries. Research and teaching focuses on chemical contaminants, atmospheric science, biogeochemistry and (eco)toxicology.

As an employee at the Department of Environmental Science you will be part of a dynamic environment with research in leading research areas and with a strong international profile.

Main responsibilities
Main responsibilities of Head of Unit are to plan and coordinate daily work in the Infrastructure Unit for Exposomics, to manage interactions with user researchers, and to actively participate in technology development with regards to hardware, analytical methods and software applications. You will work closely with the Unit Scientific Director and the Metabolomics Platform Management Group.

The role as Head of Unit also includes personnel management and regular workplace meetings with unit employees and surrounding research groups in exposomics. Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Establish projects with external users, communicate unit capabilities and prices, and coordinate project logistics from sample receipt to data delivery.
• Supervise data acquisition strategies and take leadership in data analysis.
• Responsibility for data delivery and data security, maintaining documentation, and adhering to best practices in quality assurance and quality control.
• Allocate budgetary and personnel resources to projects, and manage internal timelines.
• Lead workshops or contribute to courses to facilitate open science data analysis workflows in exposomics.
•  Be responsible for staff development, and develop a plan for your own professional development with support from the Unit Scientific Director.
• Proactively work on unit collaborations, and initiate internal or external grant applications in support of unit infrastructure and technology development.
•  Actively participate in the Metabolomics Platform Management Group.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with SciLifeLab National Bioinformatics Infrastructure (NBIS), and SciLifeLab Data Centre.
• Take initiative for the timely procurement of equipment and resources used at the unit.

Qualification requirements
We are looking for someone with a doctoral degree, and at least one year of post-doctoral research experience in mass-spectrometry based exposomics or metabolomics.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to strong practical and theoretical knowledge of sample preparation, GC- and LC-based separations, and high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis. It is also required that the candidate has experience in high throughput data processing, identification of molecules by MS2 spectral library matching, and mass spectral interpretation of unknown molecules.

Additional merits include personal qualities such as a positive attitude and ability to communicate in a clear and professional manner with unit staff, users, and collaborators.

Most valuable experiences:

• Knowledge of programming, including working ability in R and Python.
• Strong statistical knowledge and experience in multivariate modelling.
• Demonstrable experience with open science software and resources for mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics or exposomics.
• Strong communication ability in English, in both speech and writing.

Desirable/merited skills:

• Genuine interest in leading and creating conditions for realizing the full potential of employees and synergy of the unit with neighbouring research groups and units at SciLifeLab. Experience in project management and working in scientific teams.
• Very good organizational skills and good independent judgment.
• Knowledge and understanding of methods and applications in molecular biology and genetics.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, indefinite-term position with a six-month trial period. Salaries at Stockholm University are determined individually; therefore, please indicate your requested salary. Start date immediately.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from the Head of the Department, Professor Magnus Breitholtz, telephone: +46 70-600 26 86, magnus.breitholtz@aces.su.se.

Union representatives

• Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se,
• Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/Lärarförbundet), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University’s recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.