Postdoctoral Position in Microbiome and Metabolism at University of Gothenburg, Sweden

The University of Gothenburg is inviting applications for a Postdoctor in Microbiome and Metabolism within the Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine at the Institute of Medicine. This 3-year fully funded postdoctoral appointment focuses on investigating how metabolites produced by gut microbiota contribute to cardiometabolic disorders.

Overview Table

Designation

Postdoctoral Researcher (Postdoctor)

Research Area

Microbiome and Metabolism (Focusing on microbially produced metabolites such as imidazole propionate [ImP], insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and atherosclerosis using gnotobiotic and transgenic mouse models).

Location

Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Scholarship / Position Description

The Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine conducts translational research focusing primarily on metabolism, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. The research project aims to establish causal relationships between the microbially produced metabolite imidazole propionate (ImP) and cardiometabolic phenotypes, including glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis.

Key duties and tasks include:

• Investigating causal effects of gut microbial metabolites in conventional, gnotobiotic, and colonized mouse models.
• Working with and managing transgenic mouse strains to study disease progression and underlying molecular mechanisms (e.g., p38 signaling, ApoE knockout mice).
• Performing comprehensive metabolic phenotyping, including glucose and insulin tolerance tests, and body composition analysis via MRI.
• Conducting hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies involving microsurgical catheterization of the carotid artery and jugular vein.
• Carrying out ex vivo tissue-specific glucose uptake experiments using radioactive tracers (¹⁴C and ³H).
• Performing histological analyses and quantification of atherosclerotic plaques.
• Conducting isolator-based work and microsurgeries with germ-free and gnotobiotic animal systems.

Eligibility / Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree: A PhD degree in a relevant discipline (or an equivalent foreign degree) awarded prior to the employment decision.
• Experience Window: Priority is given to applicants who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years prior to the application deadline. (Exceptions may be made for parental leave, sick leave, military service, union commissions, or clinical assignments).
• Required Skills:
  • Documented hands-on experience in advanced experimental mouse models (metabolic phenotyping, tolerance tests, MRI body composition).
  • Proven proficiency in hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp experiments and microsurgical catheterization.
  • Extensive experience in organ dissection, perfusion, and radioactive isotope handling (¹⁴C and ³H).
  • Demonstrated experience handling germ-free and gnotobiotic mice within isolator systems.
• Meritorious Experience: Experience with transgenic mouse colonies, specialized microsurgery (such as portal vein cannulation or bariatric surgery), histology/immunohistochemistry, and cellular metabolic assays (e.g., Seahorse).

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted electronically through the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment system. Required application documents include:

• A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• PhD degree certificate (or verification of completion prior to the appointment decision).
• A cover letter outlining relevant experience in anaerobic cultivation, human gut microbiota characterization, and/or genome/bioinformatic analyses.
• Contact information for professional references.

Last Date for Apply

Applications must be submitted by November 24, 2026.

Apply Link

To view the full announcement and submit your application, please visit the University of Gothenburg Official Application Portal.