Postdoctor in extracellular vesicles

Om jobbet

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 Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, at the Institute of Medicine, conducts research in several different areas, such as osteoporosis, endocrinology, hematology, gastroenterology, hypertension, respiratory medicine and allergology, and clinical nutrition focusing on body composition and energy metabolism. The research is conducted in close collaboration with health care at both the Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Mölndal Hospital.

Within the department, there is a research unit focused on obstructive lung diseases such as asthma, called the Krefting Research Centre. Within this research center, there is extensive expertise in the field of exosomes / extracellular vesicles (EVs). An important observation is that EVs derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have strong anti-inflammatory effects. This project aims to develop anti-inflammatory EVs that resemble those produced by MSCs, but generated through genetically modified HEK293 cells to alter the composition of the EVs, thereby creating novel anti-inflammatory medicines. We have already identified several molecules that we can express in EVs to create a potent anti-inflammatory effect. The project will extend these findings by developing EVs with combined cell-targeting and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as tissue repair and regenerative effects.

Subject area

Extracellular vesicles

Specific subject description

Inflammation is a process that contributes to a wide range of diseases, with a few examples being allergic asthma, sepsis, multi-trauma, skin injuries, and autoimmune diseases. What these conditions have in common is that EVs derived from MSCs generally show anti-inflammatory effects in models of nearly all of these diseases. The goal of the project is to develop more effective and safer EV-based treatments for patients with diseases that include inflammatory components.

Job assignments

The work will include engineering of cells to produce EVs with different features, as well as loading of those vesicles with different pharmacological entities. This includes in vitro cell culture, EV-isolation as well as testing of the new EV-based treatment candidates in both in vitro and in vivo models of inflammation.

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

To be qualified for the position the applicants must hold a PhD within a relevant field, ideally within extracellular vesicles / exosomes. The position requires documented experience from hands-on laboratory work and detailed knowledge in the field of extracellular vesicles. We are looking for motivated candidates with a track record of working with processing, isolation and analysis of subpopulations of extracellular vesicles from cell cultures, tissue and body fluid, working with cell cultures specifically for optimization for isolation of extracellular vesicles, processing of patient and animal model-derived samples such as plasma and tissue, create and isolate artificial extracellular vesicles, and analysis of the RNA and protein cargo with molecular biology techniques. Experience of working with techniques specialized for single vesicle analysis such as flow cytometry for extracellular vesicles (such as NanoFCM) and interferometric techniques (such as ExoView) is meriting for the position. Experience in cell engineering is a requirement. The candidate is expected to be able to work independently and to cooperate well with other researchers within a larger team as well as be able to participate in supervision of students. The candidate should have a track record of published scientific work in peer reviewed international journals. Good knowledge in written and spoken English is a requirement. Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability and personal characteristics such as flexibility, thoroughness and ability to rapidly understand and handle new challenges.

Employment

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 36 months
Extent: 100 %
Location: Institute of Medicine, Gothenburg
First day of employment: According to agreement

Contact information

Jan Lötvall
Professor
+46 (0)70-6882005
jan.lotvall@gu.se

Claes Ohlsson
Head of Department
claes.ohlsson@medic.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 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.

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/

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.

Applications must be received by: 2025-12-17

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.