Vacant job

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56,000 students and 6,600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Institute of Biomedicine is involved in both research and education. In both of these areas, we focus on fundamental knowledge of the living cell – what it consists of, how it works, how its function is directed by the genetic material, and how it interacts with various kinds of micro-organisms. Using this knowledge, we try to elucidate the causes of diseases and find new ways to diagnose and treat them.

The Institute is composed of the following four departments:

• The Department of Infectious Diseases
• The Department of Microbiology and Immunology
• The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology
• The Department of Laboratory Medicine

At present, the institute has about 360 employees and approximately 450 million SEK in total assets.

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join our group to explore the mechanisms of microbiota-host mucin interactions.

Subject area

Glycobiology.

Subject area description

The human microbiota colonizes the colonic mucus layer that acts as a protective barrier between the bacteria and the tissue epithelium. The major component of the mucus layer are mucins, glycoproteins decorated with complex O-glycans. Some members of the human microbiota bind and utilize these complex glycans. We aim to identify how different gut bacteria recognize complex host glycans.

Duties

With this project, the candidate will study how gut bacteria evolved to recognize host glycans. The candidate will recombinantly express and characterize putative binding proteins from gut bacteria species. The aim of this project is to identify key binding proteins and glycan epitopes required for the recognition of host glycans by the gut microbiota. Additionally, the candidate will deploy fluorescence microscopy imaging to determine the presence of the different glycan epitopes in different tissues.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg.

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art, or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made.

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Assessment criteria

The ideal candidate will have documented experience in in vivo models, techniques used in biochemistry such as cloning, recombinant expression of proteins, and characterization of binding proteins and/or fluorescence microscopy. Experience in glycobiology such as analysis of complex glycans by mass spectrometry, structural biology, anaerobic microbiology, and bioinformatics will be considered as merits in support of an application. Previous experience in mucin biology and host glycans is also a merit. Great emphasis will be placed on the candidate’s personal suitability for the position and clear interest in the subject area.

Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for academic positions are given in Chapter 4, Section 3 - 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance.

Employment

The employment is full time and temporary, two years with the possibility of one year's extension, with placement at the Institute of Biomedicine. First day of employment as agreed.

Contact information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Ana Luis, Researcher, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande (https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande)

Application

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

The application should contain:

• A cover letter giving a brief description of previous research experience, and a motivation to why you are applying
• A CV including a list of publications
• Contact details of two references
• Proof of completed PhD

Applications must be received by: 2025-02-04

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

• https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services (https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services)
• https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ (https://www.movetogothenburg.com/)

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.