项目介绍

2026年4月22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.

The Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, conducts translational research primarily on metabolism, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease with the aim of improving health and healthcare in society. The overall goal is to create an

excellent translational research environment of a very high international standard.

We have more bacteria than our own cells in the body, and these bacteria interact in complex ecosystems, the microbiota, which can influence our health and well-being. By combining clinical samples with gnotobiotic animal models, we have shown that the gut microbiota affects both physiology and metabolism. We are now seeking a researcher who will establish and further develop genetic systems to mechanistically understand how Limosilactobacillus mucosae produces serotonin, and how this process influences gut function and host physiology.

Read more about the research group here: https://backhedlab.org/

Subject area 

Microbiota and metabolism

Subject area description

The gut microbiota contains approximately 1000 times more genes than the human genome. Several of these genes encode enzymes that can produce bioactive metabolites. Although we have only begun to scratch the surface, it is becoming clear that many of these metabolites can have major implications for our physiology and metabolism. We have recently identified that certain bacteria in the gut microbiota, such as Limosilactobacillus mucosae, can produce the neurotransmitter serotonin and thereby modulate the enteric nervous system and intestinal motility. Within this project, we will investigate the molecular and genetic mechanisms that govern serotonin production in L. mucosae, as well as how this microbially driven signaling influences host physiology.

Duties

The postdoctoral researcher will establish and use relevant experimental systems to investigate microbial metabolism and enzymatic mechanisms in the gut microbiota, with a particular focus on amino acid metabolism and the production of bioactive metabolites. A central focus of the project is to elucidate how specific bacteria, such as Limosilactobacillus mucosae, produce signaling molecules and how these influence host physiology.

The project will integrate advanced and innovative methods to characterize microbial enzymes and their functions, including isolation of RNA and DNA as well as heterologous expression of microbial enzymes. The successful candidate will express and purify enzymes and determine their kinetic properties to understand their role in microbial metabolic pathways.

Furthermore, the candidate will establish and further develop genetic systems to manipulate L. mucosae and perform targeted mutagenesis of specific amino acids to verify enzyme mechanisms and functional domains. These studies will be combined with work in strictly anaerobic bacterial systems to investigate how oxygen exposure affects bacterial metabolism and physiological responses.

Eligibility   

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree in a relevant subject, 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 criteria

Documented experience in genetic manipulation of anaerobic bacteria is required, as well as experience in developing and using minimal media for metabolic studies of anaerobic bacteria. Experience working in anaerobic culturing systems, such as Coy chambers, is required. It is further a requirement that the applicant has experience in heterologous expression of enzymes and in establishing enzymatic assay systems to determine enzyme kinetics. It is highly meritorious if the applicant has previously established genetic systems to manipulate Limosilactobacillus mucosae. Experience in culturing and characterizing strictly anaerobic bacteria is also meritorious. International experience, for example an international doctoral degree, is meritorious. It is also of great importance that the applicant has a good ability to collaborate and interact with other researchers and clinicians within a larger research environment. Great emphasis will also be placed on personal suitability, such as the ability to take initiative and to be flexible.

Employment

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 36 months.
Extent:100 %, full time. 
Location:Institution of medicin, Gothenburg
First day of employment:as soon as possible is desirable.

Contact 

Fredrik Bäckhed
Profesor
+46 (0)702-182 355
fredrik.backhed@wlab.gu.se

Malin Levin
Head of department
+46 (0)708-416 264
malin.levin@wlab.gu.se

Unions 

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

Information for international applicants

Visit the webpage Join us – jobs and career (länka det kursiva) 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.” https://www.gu.se/en/medicine/about-us/join-us-jobs-and-career 

Application 

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. 

The application should contain:

• Certificate of completed PhD
• CV
• Contact details of two references

Applications must be received by: 2026-05-11.