Postdoctoral fellowship (2 years) in Intestinal Mucosal Immunology

Medicinska fakulteten, Department of Molecular Biology

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The Faculty of Medicine, which consists of 12 departments, is responsible for biomedical research and courses in the field of nursing and health care and has an extensive research and graduate education in more than 80 subjects.

The Department of Molecular Biology is offering a postdoctoral scholarship in Medical Science with a focus on intestinal mucosal immunology. The scholarship is full-time studies for two years, beginning 1st of March 2025 or by agreement. Application deadline is 17 January 2025.

Project description

The Schröder lab, situated in the Laboratory of Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) and the Department of Molecular Biology (Umeå University), is a dynamic and stimulating multidisciplinary research environment focused on host-microbe interaction in the intestine. We use a combination of gut microbiota analyses, microbiota transplantations (FMT), state-of-the-art ex vivo mucus measurements, metabolomics, antimicrobial assays, as well as confocal and fluorescence microscopy. We use dietary interventions in mice and humans and closely collaborate with clinicians and nutrition scientists.

Our findings have revealed that alterations in gut microbial communities affect mucus function, and that specific microbial metabolites are required to maintain a functional mucus barrier. This project will build on these findings and investigate the relevance of microbiota-mucus interaction in intestinal disease.

Qualifications

A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Immunology or related fields at the time of recruitment qualifies as a postdoctoral fellow. This eligibility requirement must be met at the latest when the decision on the scholarship recipient is made. Upon equal qualification, priority should be given to candidates who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the closing date of the application. Further, a candidate who has completed their degree more than three years before the closing date may be considered if special circumstances exist. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, parental leave or clinical practice, appointments of trust in trade unions or similar circumstances.

Since the project will require interactions with collaboration partners and patients, very good communication skills, both oral and written, in English, are a must. Further, we expect the ability to interact in a team, high intrinsic motivation and that you can structure your research independently.

You must have a very good working knowledge of standard molecular biology, microbiology and immunology techniques. It will be particularly qualifying to have demonstrated expertise in intestinal mucosal barrier function, gut microbiota research, anaerobic bacteria culturing techniques and inflammatory bowel disease. Sincere enthusiasm for developing high quality presentations in an accessible manner to wide range of disciplines is a plus.

Application

You apply via our system Varbi. The application must be received latest 17 January 2025. Your application must contain the following documents written in English or Swedish:

Cover letter (max. 1 page) clearly describing your research experience, motivation and how your expertise matches the requirements.
Curriculum vitae (CV, max. 2 pages) and publication list (max. 5 pages).
Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained.
Contact information of two references.

More information

For more information, visit www.mucubacter.org, Department of Molecular Biology, UCMR - Umeå Centre for Microbial Researchand MIMS.

For questions contact Björn Schröder, bjorn.schroder@umu.se.

We look forward to receiving your application!