Researcher

Göteborgs Universitet · Vollzeit

Göteborg, Schweden

University of Gothenburg meets society's challenges with diverse expertise. 58,000 students and 6,800 employees make the university a large and inspiring workplace. Strong research and attractive programs attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, University of Gothenburg 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 overarching goal is to create an excellent translational research environment of very high international standard. The gut microbiota constitutes a complex ecosystem with enormous genetic and functional diversity that can affect our physiology, metabolism, and health. Despite this, the microbiota remains largely unexplored as a source of biological functions that could be utilized 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 seeking a researcher who wants to explore the enzymatic potential of the gut microbiota and develop microbial enzyme functions that can improve our health and prevent disease. Responsibilities Identify and characterize bacterial enzymes that metabolize phenylalanine and investigate how their structure affects enzyme activity and substrate specificity. The successful candidate will clone and express genes for selected enzymes and determine their enzyme kinetics and biochemical properties. Subsequently, the candidate will 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 affect phenylalanine metabolism. Qualifications The position requires a doctorate in biochemistry, microbiology, or a related field. You must have documented research experience in microbial enzymology, including identification and functional characterization of microbial enzymes. You must have experience with recombinant protein expression, protein purification, and quantitative biochemical characterization of enzymes, including enzyme activity measurements and analysis of substrate specificity. Documented experience in experimental structural protein biology, particularly X-ray crystallography and structure-based analysis of enzyme function, is also required. You must 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 in both speech and writing. Experience studying microbial metabolism of small molecules, such as aromatic compounds, polyphenols, or amino acid-derived metabolites, with HPLC and/or mass spectrometry is highly meritorious. Experience with microbial genetic manipulation and functional genetics, including genetic manipulation of non-model organisms, is also highly meritorious. Experience with anaerobic cultivation of bacteria, particularly gut-associated bacteria or Clostridia, in so-called Coy chambers is highly meritorious. Experience integrating metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data with experimental characterization of microbial functions is meritorious. Experience with protein engineering, including structure-based mutagenesis, rational enzyme design, directed evolution, or functional screening, is also meritorious. Knowledge of computational protein design, machine learning-based protein engineering, or AI-based protein design is additionally meritorious. It is important that the candidate is creative, able to work independently, and at the same time collaborate well with other researchers and clinicians within a larger team. We place great emphasis on personal suitability. Employment Employment type: Permanent Extent: 100% Location: Department of Medicine, Gothenburg. Start date: 2027-01-01 or by agreement. Contact Information for the Position Fredrik Bäckhed Professor +46 (0)702-182 355 [email protected] Malin Levin Department Head [email protected] Trade Union Representatives Trade union representatives at University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/jobba-hos-oss/sa-blir-du-en-av-oss#kollektivavtal-och-fackliga-foretradare Application Attach doctoral degree certificate, personal letter, CV, and names of 2-3 references with your application. You apply for the position through University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by registering your application electronically via the website: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-anstallningar. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is received by the university no later than the final application deadline. Application deadline: 2026-09-28 The university actively works for a work environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to the organization. The university applies individual salary setting. According to the regulations of the National Archives, the university is obligated to retain application documents for two years after the hiring decision. If you as an applicant specifically request the return of your documents, they will be returned when the two years have elapsed; otherwise, they will be disposed of. 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