Postdoctor in translational mucosal biology

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 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:

At present, the institute has about 315 employees and approximately 450 million SEK in total assets.

We are currently seeking a candidate for a postdoctoral position in colorectal cancer (CRC) research. The project will explore the role of goblet cell-intrinsic mucosal defence systems in determining susceptibility to CRC.

The candidate will join a newly established Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine (WCMTM) at the University of Gothenburg (www.wcmtm.gu.se). As part of this venture, Dr. George Birchenough has established his research group (www.birchenoughlab.org) at the Department of Medical Biochemistry & Cell Biology at the University of Gothenburg. The group works towards a better understanding of how mucosal defence systems control our interactions with the environment, how those systems fail in disease and how they might be prophylactically or therapeutically targeted.

The group is part of a large network of researchers at Gothenburg University, most importantly the Mucin Biology Groups cluster (www.medkem.gu.se/mucinbiology) that currently includes over 30 researchers working at the forefront of mucosal biology. The candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with experts in multiple experimental methods that work within the cluster, as well as more widely with other local and national groups within the WCMTM network.

Subject area 

Translational Mucosal Biology

Subject area description 

Our mucosal surfaces are the interface between the environment and our tissues. Their physiological functions are critical, but necessitate constant exposure of living cells to a vast collection of microbial lifeforms that includes many opportunistic and obligate pathogens. As a result, our mucosa has evolved multiple defensive systems that allow them to endure in this environment, and failure of these systems is often linked to development of acute and chronic disease. Consequently, understanding the development and regulation of these systems is key to understanding the pathoaetiology of mucosal disease and how they can be prevented or treated.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent and lethal types of cancer, and is especially prevalent in nations with a high human development index, indicating that factors associated with a modern, Westernized lifestyle are linked to CRC development. Most cases of CRC result from spontaneous mutations rather than heritable oncogenic mutations, and dysregulated interactions between the intestinal microbiota and immune system are implicated in tumorigenesis. Goblet cell-intrinsic defence systems, such as the mucus layer and sentinel goblet cells normally control host-microbiota interactions, but we have recently found that these systems are highly susceptible to environmental alterations caused by exposure to a Western-style diet. Thus, disruption of goblet cell-dependent functions may have a causal relationship with CRC development.

By combining data from pre-clinical mouse models with analysis of samples from healthy and CRC patients, we hope to develop a better understanding of how goblet cell functions contribute to CRC susceptibility and develop new approaches to prevent CRC development.

Duties 

The successful candidate will be expected to work extensively with pre-clinical mouse models and human tissues acquired during routine surgery. The candidate will be encouraged and expected to conduct their experimental research in an independent manner and to make significant contributions to project planning. The candidate will also actively contribute to the local research environment at the Mucin Biology Groups and engage in interactions with collaborators and other groups belonging to the WCMTM network. If necessary, the candidate may also be asked to assist in the supervision of Masters or PhD students.

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 

Applications will be judged primarily on evidence of relevant scientific skills. The applicant must provide evidence of a PhD in a relevant area of research and have demonstrable skills in both written and spoken English. Previous experience working with animal models is essential. Any previous experience in microscopy, mass spectrometry, organoid culture, flow cytometry, microbiology, bioinformatics or in vivo disease modelling will be considered as merits in support of an application. Eligible applicants will be asked to partake in an interview and present their previous research. 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.

Selection process 

How to apply for a position | University of Gothenburg

Contact information 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact George Birchenough, senior lecturer. E-mail: george.birchenough@gu.se

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives

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:

Applications must be received by: 2026-08-27.

Information for International Applicants

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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.