Vacant job

The Department of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy conducts extensive research and teaching across broad knowledge areas ranging from molecules to humans. The department consists of five sections: Pharmacology, Physiology, Health and Rehabilitation, Clinical Neuroscience, and Psychiatry and Neurochemistry.

The Department of Neuroscience and Physiology is currently seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to be placed within the Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder where the need for disease-modifying treatments is significant. A central limitation in developing such treatments is the lack of validated and scalable biomarkers that reflect the underlying disease biology. Current diagnostic methods rely primarily on clinical assessment, which has low sensitivity in early disease stages and cannot reliably distinguish PD from related parkinsonian conditions. This limits opportunities for early intervention, complicates patient stratification, and reduces the efficiency of clinical trials.

In contrast, research on Alzheimer's disease has been revolutionized by fluid-based biomarkers that enable early detection and monitoring of disease progression. This project aims to establish equivalent biomarker tools for PD by targeting central pathological processes, including α-synuclein aggregation, lysosomal dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and synaptic damage.

The project is part of a large international collaboration integrating academic and industrial expertise in assay development, antibody development, and clinical translation. Collaborative partners include leading groups at Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Quanterix, Abcam, and Beckman Coulter. Together, the consortium aims to develop, validate, and make available a harmonized set of high-quality antibody reagents and ultrasensitive immunoassays.

Topic

Fluid-based biomarkers for Parkinson's disease

Topic Description

Development of fluid-based biomarkers for Parkinson's disease using ultrasensitive immunoassays.

Responsibilities

The postdoctoral researcher will work on the development of singleplex and multiplex immunoassays using ultrasensitive technologies (e.g., Simoa), followed by analytical and clinical validation in well-characterized PD cohorts, including large biofluid datasets such as PPMI. The most promising biomarkers will be integrated into multiplex panels and further developed towards clinically scalable platforms.

The position is located at the University of Gothenburg in the Neurochemistry Laboratory under the supervision of Professor Henrik Zetterberg. The candidate will work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment with close ties to clinical and industrial partners. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to translational research with direct implications for the diagnosis and treatment of PD.

Qualifications

Qualifications for employment as a teacher are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4, and the University of Gothenburg's employment regulations.

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, the applicant must have obtained a doctoral degree, an artistic doctoral degree, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This requirement must be met by the time the employment decision is made.

Priority will be given to candidates who obtained their degree no more than three years before the application deadline. Candidates who obtained their degree earlier may also be considered if there are special reasons. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, trust positions within trade unions, service within total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

Selection Criteria

We are seeking a highly motivated and qualified postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in biochemistry, neuroscience, or a related field. Experience with immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, Simoa) and analysis of protein biomarkers is an asset. Knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases and experience working with biofluids (CSF, plasma) are considered advantages. The candidate should have good skills in data analysis, including statistical evaluation of experimental data. Experience in the development or validation of multiplex analyses is an asset.

Good organizational skills and attention to detail are essential. We value candidates who are collaborative, proactive, and capable of working both independently and in international teams. Excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to scientific quality and reproducibility are required. Great importance will be placed on personal suitability, motivation, and alignment with the project's goals.

Employment

The position is a fixed-term employment for 2 years, 100% full-time, with placement at the Department of Neuroscience and Physiology until further notice. Start date: ASAP or by agreement.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the position, please contact researcher Laia Montoliu-Gaya, email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

The responsible manager is Professor/Head of Section Henrik Zetterberg, phone: +46 768 672 647, email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Application documents should not be sent to the contact persons.

Trade Unions

Trade 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

Apply for the position via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by registering your application electronically via the website: https://www.gu.se/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-anstallningar (https://www.gu.se/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-anstallningar)

As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete according to the advertisement and that it reaches the university by the final application date.

Certificate of doctoral degree must be attached to the application.

Application deadline: 2026-04-23