Associate Researcher

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 Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, conducts translational research on metabolism, obesity and cardiovascular disease, with the aim to improve health and medical care in our society. The overall objective is to create an excellent translational research environment of very high international standard.

The intestines contain the body’s largest populations of both bacteria and immune cells. The interplay between gut bacteria and mucosal immune cells could therefore be very important for the development of inflammation, influencing the risk of diseases within and beyond the intestinal tract. A protective mucus layer separates bacteria and immune cells in the large intestine, preventing inflammation. However, mucus is also a source of nutrition to certain bacteria. Preliminary, experimental studies have shown that low fiber intake can lead to increased bacterial degradation of intestinal mucus. Here, we want to investigate how fiber intake affects the gut microbiota, mucus barrier function, and intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms. A long-term goal of the research is to devise strategies to prevent gastrointestinal and cardiometabolic diseases through specific dietary advice and tailored fiber supplements to promote a beneficial microbiome, intestinal barrier integrity and good health.

We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to our multidisciplinary research group!

Duties 

As an Associate Researcher, you will work with the preparation and analysis of samples to study the composition of the gut microbiota in different individuals, and in relation to fiber intake. You will be involved in each step of the project, from extraction of DNA for sequencing, to supervised analysis of data. Other tasks within the project may include the culture of anaerobic bacteria for experimental validation studies and the analysis of immune cell composition through immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. 

Qualifications 

Requirement:

• a master’s degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or similar area
• experience of laboratory work

Meritorious:

Experience of

• bacterial culture, especially anaerobes
• research in the gut microbiome field
• research on metabolism, gastrointestinal or cardiovascular diseases
• flow cytometry
• immunohistochemistry
• working with animal models
• research in an international environment with communication in English

Personal skills and qualities

The successful candidate will be structured and quality-focused, but also flexible and proactive, with excellent analytical problem-solving skills. The ability to work well in a team and to communicate in English in speaking and in writing are also important requirements. We attach great importance to personal suitability for the position. 

Employment 

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 6 months
Extent: 100 %
Location: Institute of Medicine, Gothenburg
First day of employment: As soon as possible or according to agreement 

Contact information for the post 

Karolina Sjöberg Jabbar
Researcher
+46(0)730–932847
karolina.sjoberg@wlab.gu.se

Malin Levin
Head of Department
malin.levin@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 include

• Master’s degree
• CV, including two references
• Personal letter

To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. 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. 

Applications must be received by: 2024-06-25

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.