项目介绍

2026年4月3日

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

At the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, at the Sahlgrenska Academy, we conduct research and education covering a wide range of knowledge areas. The institute comprises five different departments: Clinical Neuroscience, Health and Rehabilitation, Pharmacology, Physiology and Psychiatry and Neurochemistry.

The Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher employment at the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a major unmet need for disease-modifying therapies. A key barrier to therapeutic development is the lack of validated, scalable biomarkers that reflect core disease biology. Current diagnostic approaches rely on clinical assessment, which lacks sensitivity in early disease and cannot reliably distinguish PD from related parkinsonian disorders. This limits early intervention, complicates patient stratification, and reduces the efficiency of clinical trials.

In contrast, Alzheimer’s disease research has been transformed by fluid biomarkers that enable early detection and monitoring of disease progression. This project aims to establish analogous biomarker tools for PD by targeting key pathological processes, including α-synuclein aggregation, lysosomal dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and synaptic injury.

The project is part of a large international collaboration integrating academic and industrial expertise in assay development, antibody engineering, and clinical translation. Partners include leading groups at Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Quanterix, Abcam, and Beckman Coulter. Together, the consortium aims to develop, validate, and disseminate a harmonized suite of high-quality antibody reagents and ultrasensitive immunoassays.

Subject area

Fluid biomarkers for Parkinson´s disease

Subject area description

Fluid biomarkers for Parkinson´s disease using ultrasensitive immoassays.

Job assignments

The postdoctoral researcher will focus on the development of single-plex and multiplex immunoassays using ultrasensitive technologies (e.g., Simoa), followed by analytical and clinical validation in well-characterized PD cohorts, including large biofluid datasets such as PPMI. Top-performing biomarkers will be incorporated into multiplex panels and advanced toward clinically scalable platforms.

The employment is based at the University of Gothenburg in the Neurochemistry laboratory led by Prof. Henrik Zetterberg. The candidate will work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment with strong links to clinical and industry partners. This employment offers a unique opportunity to contribute to translational research with direct impact on diagnostics and therapeutic development in PD.

Eligibility

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.  

Assessment

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral candidate with a strong background in biochemistry, neuroscience, or a related field. Experience with immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, Simoa) and protein biomarker analysis is highly desirable. Familiarity with neurodegenerative diseases and biofluid-based research (CSF, plasma) will be considered an advantage. The candidate should have solid data analysis skills, with experience in statistical evaluation of experimental data. Experience with multiplex assay development or validation is a plus.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are essential. We value candidates who are collaborative, proactive, and able to work both independently and as part of an international team. Excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to scientific rigor and reproducibility are required. Personal suitability, motivation, and alignment with the project goals will be key selection criteria. 

Employment

The employment is limited (temporary) for 2 years, 100% of full-time, and is placed at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology. Starting date: as soon as possible or as agreed. 

Contact information 

If you have questions regarding the employment please contact Reaearcher Laia Montoliu-Gaya, e-mail: laia.montoliu.gaya@gu.se

Manager in charge is Professor/Head of Department Henrik Zetterberg, phone: +46 768 672 647, e-mail: henrik.zetterberg@clinchem.gu.se

Application documents are not to be submitted through the contact persons.

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply

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.  

Please enclose PhD certificate with the application.

Applications must be received by: 2026-04-23

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 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

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.