Postdoktor in Rheumatology and Immunology

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At the Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, at the Institute of Medicine, the main research areas are inflammation and inflammatory diseases irrespective of whether they are caused by allergies, infections or are autoimmune diseases. The aim is to investigate the underpinning mechanisms behind the inflammation. Several of our researchers also work as senior consultants at the clinics at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, which is a great advantage especially for translational research.

The research group Human Immunoregulation in Rheumatic Disease (HIRD) studies immunological and biological mechanisms in blood and placenta underlying adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The projects of the group spans from preclinical research to translational clinical studies in collaboration with rheumatologists, obstetricians and pathologists university hospitals across Sweden.

Subject area

Rheumatology and Immunology

Subject description

Until recently, women with severe SLE were often advised to avoid pregnancy. Due to advances in both rheumatology and specialist maternity care, the situation has improved. Most women with SLE can now, with careful medical monitoring and treatment, go through a pregnancy and give birth to a healthy child.

Although the situation has improved, pregnancy in women with SLE is still considered high-risk. These women have an increased risk of miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and giving birth to infants who are small for gestational age compared with women without SLE. Furthermore, healthcare currently lack reliable biomarkers that can predict which women who have the greatest risk of complications. We also lack targeted treatments that effectively reduce these risks. In addition, we need to understand the inflammatory and immunological mechanisms that lead to the different specific complications.

The aim of our research is to identify specific immunological and biological mechanisms in blood and placenta that underlie the increased risk of pregnancy complications in women with SLE.

Duties

The postdoctoral researcher will work on identifying genes, proteins, and mechanisms in blood and placenta that underlie the increased risk of pregnancy complications such as preterm birth, preeclampsia, and small for gestational age (SGA) in women with SLE. This will be carried out using samples and clinical data from a prospectively collected cohort of pregnant women with SLE and healthy pregnant women with and without pregnancy complications.

The work involves flow cytometric analyses of cells from blood and placenta, cell cultures, and the establishment of methods for analyzing genes and proteins in placental tissue using different types of microscopies. An important part is the bioinformatic analysis of results obtained from transcriptomics and proteomics, as well as the interpretation and compilation of these results.The work also includes writing research grant applications and scientific manuscripts in English, ethics applications and patient information in Swedish, and assisting in the supervision of PhD students and other students.  

Eligibility   

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   

In evaluating applicants, significant emphasis will be placed on prior research experience in immunology, particularly pregnancy immunology in the context of rheumatic disease, preferably with a focus on placental biology. Experience in bioinformatic analysis and interpretation of proteomic and transcriptomic data is required. Applicants are also required to have strong written and spoken communication skills in both Swedish and English. Experience with multivariate factor analysis is meriting. Experience working with prospective cohort studies, including clinical and biological data, is required, preferably within immunology and pregnancy research. Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability. An ideal candidate should demonstrate a strong ability to plan, organize, and structure their work independently. Careful and competent handling of data, including data management and analysis, is essential, as is a proven ability to independently author scientific publications. Reliability and strong collaboration skills are also important.

Employment   

Employment type: Fixed-term, 24 months.
Extent: 100%, full time.
Location: Institution of medicin, Gothenburg.
Start date: By agreement.

Contact 

Marit Stockfelt
Ass prof, Rheumatologist
Tfn: +46-73-152 56 14
marit.stockfelt@gu.se

Mattias Svensson
Head of department, ass prof
+46-73-513 39 49
mattias.svensson@gu.se

Unions 

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

Application   

Please attach PhD certificate with the application, if the PhD certificate has not yet been issued, it needs to be attached at the latest at the time when the employment decision is to be made.

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.   

The application should contain:

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

Applications must be received by: 2026-03-31

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.movetogothenburg.com/ 

  

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