Researcher
Göteborgs universitetSammanfattning
The University of Gothenburg is seeking a researcher to join the Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, focusing on the enzymatic potential of gut microbiota to influence metabolism and health. This permanent position is based at the Institute of Medicine in Gothenburg, starting on January 1, 2027. The role involves identifying and characterizing bacterial enzymes, cloning and expressing genes, and optimizing enzyme functions for potential health applications.Det här erbjuder vi
Permanent employment with a 100% extent.Opportunity to work in a collaborative research environment.Access to world-class research infrastructure.
Ansök senast: 2026-09-28
Publicerad: 2026-09-08
Beskrivning
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 Molecular and Clinical Medicine, at the Institute of Medicine, conducts translational research primarily on metabolism, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease in order to improve health and healthcare in the community. The overall goal is to create an excellent translational research environment of a very high international standard.
The gut microbiota constitutes a complex ecosystem with enormous genetic and functional diversity that can influence our physiology, metabolism, and health. Despite this, the microbiota remains a largely unexplored source of biological functions that could be harnessed to prevent and treat disease. By identifying enzymes from gut bacteria and optimizing their function, we aim to develop new ways to influence metabolism directly in the gut. We are now looking for a researcher who wants to join us in exploring the enzymatic potential of the gut microbiota and developing microbial enzyme functions that can improve our health and counteract disease.
Duties
Identify and characterize bacterial enzymes that metabolize phenylalanine and investigate how their structure affects enzyme activity and substrate specificity. The candidate will clone and express genes for selected enzymes and determine their enzyme kinetics and biochemical properties. The candidate will then use structure-based and computational protein design to generate and test enzyme variants with improved activity, stability, and specificity for phenylalanine. Finally, optimized enzymes will be evaluated in microbial and experimental models to investigate their potential to influence phenylalanine metabolism.
Qualifications
For the position, you are required to hold a PhD in biochemistry, microbiology, or a related field. It is a requirement that you have documented research experience in microbial enzymology, including the identification and functional characterisation of microbial enzymes. You must have experience in recombinant protein expression, protein purification, and quantitative biochemical characterisation of enzymes, including enzyme activity assays and substrate-specificity analysis. Documented experience in experimental protein structural biology, particularly X-ray crystallography and structure-based analysis of enzyme function, is also a requirement. You must also have a strong scientific publication record in microbial metabolism, enzymology, structural biology, synthetic biology, microbiome research, or related areas. You must be able to express yourself well in English, both orally and in writing.
Experience in studying microbial metabolism of small molecules, such as aromatic compounds, polyphenols, or amino-acid-derived metabolites, using HPLC and/or mass spectrometry is highly meritorious. Experience in microbial genetic engineering and functional genetics, including genetic manipulation of non-model organisms, is also highly meritorious. Experience in anaerobic cultivation of bacteria, particularly gut-associated bacteria or Clostridia, in a so-called Coy chamber is highly meritorious.
Experience in integrating metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data with experimental characterisation of microbial functions is meritorious. Experience in protein engineering, including structure-guided mutagenesis, rational enzyme design, directed evolution, or functional screening, is also meritorious. Knowledge of computational protein design, machine-learning-assisted protein engineering, or AI-based protein design is an additional merit.
It is important that the applicant is creative, can work independently, but at the same time collaborate well with other researchers and clinicians within a larger team, and great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.
Employment
Type of employment: Permanent employment
Extent: 100%
Location: The Institute of Medicine, Gothenburg
First day of employment: 2027-01-01 or according to agreement
Contact information for the post
Fredrik Bäckhed
Professor
+46 (0)702-182 355
fredrik.backhed@wlab.gu.se
Malin Levin
Head of department
malin.levin@wlab.gu.se
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-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives
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.
Application
Please attach PhD certificate, personal letter, CV and names of 2-3 references.
To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. 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: 2026-09-28
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.
The Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, at the Institute of Medicine, conducts translational research primarily on metabolism, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease in order to improve health and healthcare in the community. The overall goal is to create an excellent translational research environment of a very high international standard.
The gut microbiota constitutes a complex ecosystem with enormous genetic and functional diversity that can influence our physiology, metabolism, and health. Despite this, the microbiota remains a largely unexplored source of biological functions that could be harnessed to prevent and treat disease. By identifying enzymes from gut bacteria and optimizing their function, we aim to develop new ways to influence metabolism directly in the gut. We are now looking for a researcher who wants to join us in exploring the enzymatic potential of the gut microbiota and developing microbial enzyme functions that can improve our health and counteract disease.
Duties
Identify and characterize bacterial enzymes that metabolize phenylalanine and investigate how their structure affects enzyme activity and substrate specificity. The candidate will clone and express genes for selected enzymes and determine their enzyme kinetics and biochemical properties. The candidate will then use structure-based and computational protein design to generate and test enzyme variants with improved activity, stability, and specificity for phenylalanine. Finally, optimized enzymes will be evaluated in microbial and experimental models to investigate their potential to influence phenylalanine metabolism.
Qualifications
For the position, you are required to hold a PhD in biochemistry, microbiology, or a related field. It is a requirement that you have documented research experience in microbial enzymology, including the identification and functional characterisation of microbial enzymes. You must have experience in recombinant protein expression, protein purification, and quantitative biochemical characterisation of enzymes, including enzyme activity assays and substrate-specificity analysis. Documented experience in experimental protein structural biology, particularly X-ray crystallography and structure-based analysis of enzyme function, is also a requirement. You must also have a strong scientific publication record in microbial metabolism, enzymology, structural biology, synthetic biology, microbiome research, or related areas. You must be able to express yourself well in English, both orally and in writing.
Experience in studying microbial metabolism of small molecules, such as aromatic compounds, polyphenols, or amino-acid-derived metabolites, using HPLC and/or mass spectrometry is highly meritorious. Experience in microbial genetic engineering and functional genetics, including genetic manipulation of non-model organisms, is also highly meritorious. Experience in anaerobic cultivation of bacteria, particularly gut-associated bacteria or Clostridia, in a so-called Coy chamber is highly meritorious.
Experience in integrating metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data with experimental characterisation of microbial functions is meritorious. Experience in protein engineering, including structure-guided mutagenesis, rational enzyme design, directed evolution, or functional screening, is also meritorious. Knowledge of computational protein design, machine-learning-assisted protein engineering, or AI-based protein design is an additional merit.
It is important that the applicant is creative, can work independently, but at the same time collaborate well with other researchers and clinicians within a larger team, and great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.
Employment
Type of employment: Permanent employment
Extent: 100%
Location: The Institute of Medicine, Gothenburg
First day of employment: 2027-01-01 or according to agreement
Contact information for the post
Fredrik Bäckhed
Professor
+46 (0)702-182 355
fredrik.backhed@wlab.gu.se
Malin Levin
Head of department
malin.levin@wlab.gu.se
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-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives
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.
Application
Please attach PhD certificate, personal letter, CV and names of 2-3 references.
To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. 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: 2026-09-28
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.
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Researcher
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Göteborgs universitet
