Postdoctor in Occupational- and Environmental

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.

The School of Public Health and Community Medicine, at the Institute of Medicine, conducts extensive education and research in global public health, general medicine, occupational medicine, environmental medicine, social medicine, medicine use and pharmaceutical policy. We also conduct education and research within nutritional epidemiology, insurance medicine, innovation and utilization, health economics, biostatistics and register epidemiology.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine is an integrated part of the department, and we have also close collaboration with Sahlgrenska University Hospital. We teach, research and investigate patients and workplaces. We offer education for medical students, personnel at corporate health units, authorities and for different professions within occupational and environmental medicine.

Occupational Health and Environmental Health.

Our research is focused on the development of easy non-invasive methods to assess effects of exposure to chemical substances on the respiratory system and especially effects on small airways. We have developed frontline techniques based on non-invasive breath-analyses for this purpose (PExA, Particles in Exhaled Air), that enables assessment of changes in the surfactant composition. We have a state-of-the art respiratory physiology laboratory including impulse-oscillometry, multiple gas wash-out test, DLCO, FENO and PExA to assess adverse effects on small airways. We have also a chemical lab to analyze the lipid composition in surfactant from small airways.

We have two large studies where the post doc will be involved:

• Small airway involvement in Post-Covid-19 and the risk for permanent injuries in people, especially those exposed to dust and fumes in work life. Our hypothesis is that small airways may be impaired after the infection, and especially the surfactant function in liquid layer covering small airways that constitute the first line defence against exposures irritative to the respiratory tract. In a longitudinal cohort study we follow subjects that have had Covid-19 and have remaining respiratory symptoms, including both those occupationally exposed to fumes, gas, and dust as well as non-exposed. They are thoroughly examined with different lung-function measurements but also the sampling of surfactant with the PExA method.
• Exposure to traffic exhausts, effects on small airways, with special focus on vulnerable groups. This study is still in planning, and will include subjects with COPD and healthy controls, with high and low exposure to traffic at the domestic address.

The work will include both practical participation in the ongoing clinical studies, in particular examinations of small airways, but also data organization and statistical analyses as well as written- and oral presentation of results. Other assignments will be tutoring of PhD students and students.

To qualify as a postdoctoral researcher the applicant should hold a PhD in a relevant subject. Since postdoctoral constitutes a qualifying appointment for junior researchers, we aim to target those who have a doctoral degree not older than 3 years from the application deadline.

The candidate should have undergraduate degree as a medical doctor, BMA preferably with a clinical physiological focus, or in biomedicine. Completed doctoral degree in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine or Clinical Physiology is required. Experience with lung-physiological techniques is a merit. Advanced knowledge of the Swedish language, both orally and in writing is required. We place great emphasis on personal suitability and are looking for a person who likes to work in teams, is thorough, flexible and committed.

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 36 months Extent: 100 % Location: Institute of Medicine, Gothenburg First day of employment: As soon as possible or according to agreement.

Anna-Carin Olin, Professor, +46(0)706 554940, [email protected]

Ronny Gunnarsson, Assistant Head of Department, +46(0)31 7866835, [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  

Visit the webpage Join us - jobs and career  for more information on the Institute of Medicine and what opportunities we have for you. Discover our world-class research and research infrastructure, as well as what the benefits are for you and your family.

- A cover letter giving a brief description of previous research experience, and a motivation to why you are applying

 - A CV including a list of publications

- Contact details of at least two references

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

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: 2022-10-12.

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.