Postdoc in Food and Nutrition Science- nutritional metabolomics

A new Postdoc position is now vacant at Food and Nutrition Science at the department of Biology and Biological Engineering. The aim of this position is to validate promising dietary biomarkers of plant based food intakes. This will include applying newly developmed LC-MS based multi methods for biomarker analysis of plasma, urine and saliva sampels from dietary interventions and observational studies where the intake of specific plant based foods have been estimated or controlled. Valid biomarkers will be used in human studies to better understand the role of plant based foods in human health.

Information about the research
The department of Biology and Biological Engineering has four divisions; Food and Nutrition Science, Systems and Synthetic Biology, Industrial Biotechnology and Chemical Biology. The research at Food and Nutrition science focus on nutritional solutions for disease prevention by studies on the molecular, cellular, and whole-body level. We also center on research that aims to promote high food quality, minimize losses throughout the value chain and to utilize alternative sources for production of nutrients. To this end, projects address e.g. the development of methods for adding value to underutilized marine raw materials, improvement of nutritional and sensory properties in fish, seaweed, cereals, fruits and greens, as well as the link between food processing and technical functionality, bioactivity, digestibility as well as bioavailability of food compounds. We also study the active response to food compounds in human cell models and animal models, and conduct human studies in collaboration with the medical faculty. Food and Nutrition science currently consists of approximately 45 people with varying backgrounds within fields such as chemistry, biology, biotechnology and nutrition.

Major responsibilities
In this project you will:
- Apply novel LC-MS based methods for the analysis of specific biomarkers of plant based food intake in samples from human studies.
- Conduct data analysis using R-envriomnet.
- Validate dietary biomarkers
- Use large scale untargeted metabolomics data to discover and validate specific food intake biomarkers in large observational studies.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, we would like you to have have a PhD in food and nutrition science, medicine, pharmacology or bioanlytical chemistry; the degree should generally not be older than three years. You need to have documented hands on experience from mass- spectrometry based metabolomics research, and also documented experience from diet and health studies.

The following qualifications will be meritorius:
- Experience from research on dietary biomarkers
- Experience from untargeted metabolomics research
- Experience from statistical anlayses of food and health studies

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. Swedish is not a requirement but Chalmers offers Swedish courses. Strong communication and analytical skills are also required.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200508 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 9 December, 2020

For questions, please contact:
Professor Rikard Landberg, Food and Nutrition Science
rikard.landberg@chalmers.se, +46 72-3509386

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!