Postdoctor in fish physiology with focus on skin and intestinal barrier and transporting

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 scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

At the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BioEnv) we have teaching and research activities that stretch from the alpine ecosystem, through forests, cultivated land and streams, all the way into the marine environment. In these environments we study different levels of biological organisation from genes, individuals and populations, to communities and ecosystems. We work within ecology, evolution, physiology, systematics and combinations of these fields in order to understand the impact of natural and anthropogenic changes of the environment.

The department is placed at three different localities: in Gothenburg Botanical garden, at Medicinareberget in Gothenburg and Kristineberg Marine Research Station. The current position is placed at the zoological building at Medicinareberget in Gothenburg.

Zoology/Fish physiology

The overarching theme of all the projects is to study the impact of husbandry conditions and farming environment on fish health and welfare with emphasis on skin and intestinal functions.

The position is placed within three different research projects in collaboration with Norwegian research partners. In an FHF (Norwegian Seafood Research Fund) funded project you will be assessing the effect of omega-3 and zink levels in the diet on Atlantic salmon. In a R&D project together with the Norwegian company “Akvafuture” you will be investigating the impact of semi-closed farming systems in the sea on Atlantic salmon health and welfare. Finally, in SWIMFIT, financed by the Norwegian Research Council, you will be investigating the impact of exercise on Atlantic salmon. 

This post-doctoral fellow will be part of the Fish Endocrinology Laboratory led by Prof Kristina Sundell and senior researcher Henrik Sundh (Ph.D) but most experiments will be carried out at different research facilities in Norway where you will frequently go to sample and analyze fish tissue.

This employment includes participating in experiments that aim to investigate effects of husbandry conditions and farming environments on Atlantic salmon health and welfare with emphasis on skin and intestinal barrier and transporting functions. The work is being conducted in collaboration with Norwegian partners at research institutes, universities, and aquaculture companies. The work is experimental within the field of animal physiology. The main experimental work will be conducted in Norway while certain tissue and data analyses as well as small scale complementary experiments can be conducted at the department in Gothenburg. The work includes all aspects of research into aquaculture-biology, including routine animal husbandry, building and surveillance of aquaria systems, experimental design, physiological experimentation at whole animal, tissue and cellular levels, sampling and analyzes, statistical analysis, compilation of results and writing of articles for scientific journals. The applicant is expected to be independent and to be able to take own initiatives within the framework of the different projects. The applicant will work in a dynamic research group where support is always available if needed, however the applicant is expected to take full responsibility of the project so that it may proceed according to plan. The applicant is expected to present the findings at conferences, seminars, and project meetings and reports for the different projects. As a member of SWEMARC the applicant is also expected to participate in center activities as well as to communicate and cooperate with other members of SWEMARC as well as national and international colleagues.

Supervision of students may be included as well as other teaching and/or administrative duties (max 20%). Periods with work at other laboratories and other countries will be needed.

The applicant must hold a PhD degree in an area relevant for the tasks at hand (Zoology/Fish physiology) or a foreign exam substantially equivalent to a PhD degree in a relevant subject. The PhD degree must be completed by the time the employment decision is made.

Preference will be given to candidates who have been awarded the degree no more than three years before the application deadline. Applicants with a degree awarded earlier may also be preferred if specific reasons exist. Such specific reasons may be a leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical service or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

We are seeking a motivated person in subject with emphasis on fish physiology. Scientific skills are the most important selection criteria for the position. Emphasis will be placed on experience in fish biology with focus on physiology and aquaculture with special emphasis on competence in physiological methods. It is a merit if the candidate has experience from working with salmonids including Atlantic salmon as well as specific methodological techniques including Ussing-chamber methodology, immunohistochemistry and histology. Scientific skills are assessed primarily on the basis of the applicant's scientific publications, experience of postdoc- or other research visits, conference participation and the applicant's experimental and analytical skills. Teaching skills and experience, both lecturing and practical supervision, are also important for the position.

Emphasis will also be placed on experience in project management, teamwork skills as well as written and oral communication competencies. Excellent proficiency, written and spoken, in English are necessary since we work in an international environment. All experiences related to the above points should be clearly stated in the application. For employment, the applicant will be selected after an overall assessment is judged to have the best conditions to successfully operate the project, collaborate with others and contribute to a positive development of the projects and the department.

The application should preferably be written in English and must include:

• A cover letter with the applicant’s justification for the application, i.e., that describes how the applicant meets the selection criteria
• A list of qualifications (CV)
• Certificate of PhD exam and other educations of relevance
• Complete list of publications, including submitted and accepted manuscripts
• Employments certificates and other documents deemed important by the applicant

The most qualified candidates, in relation to the assessment criteria in the advertisement, are invited for an interview that may be conducted in English and in some cases via Zoom.

The employment is a temporary employment during two years with an extent of 100 % of full time, placed at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science. Starting date is as soon as possible or upon agreement. 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact 

Kristina Snuttan Sundell, professor
Phone: +46 31 786 36 71
E-mail: [email protected] 

Henrik Sundh, Ph. D.
Phone: +46 31 786 12 62
E-mail: [email protected]

Åsa Arrhenius, Head of Department
tel. +46 31 786 26 25
E-mail: [email protected]

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

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/  

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: Augsut 30, 2022

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.