Postdoctoral fellow in goblet cell

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 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:

• The Department of Infectious Diseases
• The Department of Microbiology and Immunology
• The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology
• The Department of Laboratory Medicine

At present, the institute has about 360 employees and approximately 450 million SEK in total assets.

We are currently seeking a candidate for a postdoctoral position in intestinal goblet cell biology. The project will explore the role of G-protein coupled receptors in regulating goblet cell defensive functions.

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 recently established his research group (www.birchenoughlab.org ) at the Department of Medical Biochemistry & Cell Biology at the University of Gothenburg and is now recruiting postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students. 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.

Goblet cell biology

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 have 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.

In the gut, goblet cell (GC)-intrinsic defence systems, such as the mucus layer and sentinel goblet cells normally control host-microbiota interactions. It is evident that GC protective functions are regulated by signals deriving from the intestinal luminal environment; however, the specific nature of those signals remains very poorly defined. G-protein coupled receptors regulate cellular behaviour in response to extrinsic cues, and we have identified specific enrichment of certain GPCRs in intestinal GC populations.

By combining data from in vitro reporter cells, primary intestinal cell culture and conditional knockout mouse models we hope to define the role(s) of specific GPCRs in regulating GC-intrinsic defensive functions. We believe that such work will lay a foundation for medical interventions that could be used to enhance GC defensive functions in order to prevent the development of mucosal diseases.

The successful candidate will be expected to work extensively with cell lines, 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. 

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.    

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 in vivo animal models is essential. Any previous experience in GPCR biology, 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 may be asked to present their previous research if invited to interview. 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.

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 is December 1st 2022. 

 https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande#S%C3%A5-h%C3%A4r-g%C3%A5r-rekryteringsprocessen-till %] 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact George Birchenough, associate senior lecturer. E-mail: [email protected] ; telephone: +46(0)317863046

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

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:

• A cover letter giving a brief overview of previous experience and motivation for applying to the current position.
• A CV that includes a complete list of publications
• Proof of a completed PhD
• Contact details for at least two independent references

Applications must be received by: 2022-09-  30

Information for International Applicants 

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
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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.