Postdoctor in fish physiology

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 53 500 students and 6 500 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The department is placed at three different localities: in Gothenburg Botanical garden, at Medicinarberget in Gothenburg and Kristineberg Marine Research Station. The current position is placed at Medicinaregatan 18A, Göteborg. The position also includes shorter working periods in other Nordic countries (mainly Faroe islands and Norway).

Project description

The production of farmed salmonid fishes has increased steadily and intensified in the last decades. Unfortunately, the production loss due to mortality among adult fish is relatively high in some farms (up to 20%). This presents a significant problem from an ethical, economical, sustainability and animal welfare perspective. Research in recent years have indicated that the mortality can be linked to heart problems in the farmed fish; such as deviating heart ventricle morphology and coronary artery lesions. The underlying reasons are incompletely understood but are believed to result mainly from the intensive smolt production phase, which is characterized by high water temperature, manipulated photoperiods and feeding with energy-rich feeds. This rearing regime appears to produce a less robust fish that is less resilient to stressful situations in the farming environment such as parasite treatment, transport, inferior water quality and elevated water temperature.

In a recently started collaborative Nordic research project including partners from Sweden, Norway and Faroe islands we will now explore in detail the underlying reasons and consequences of deviating heart morphology in rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon.

Job assignments

The position includes work with designing and perform physiological lab experiments and histological characterization of heart tissue from farmed salmonid fish, in close dialogue with the project leaders. Sampling of fish at different fish farms in the Nordic countries is also included in the position. Shorter working periods (a few weeks) at the Nordic academic partners laboratories or fish farms linked to the research consortium may, therefore, also be performed within the position.

The techniques that will mainly be used in the project includes measurements and analyses of cardiovascular variables (ECG, blood flow and pressure) in unanesthetised fish (in vivo), chronic coronary ligation experiments, pharmacological studies to examine neuro-humoral control mechanisms, as well as biochemical and histological analyses of isolated heart tissue. The postdoctoral researcher is also expected to take a leading role in data analyses and writing and publishing of scientific research articles prom the project, in dialogue with the project leaders.

Eligibility

The applicant must hold a PhD degree in an area relevant for the tasks at hand (comparative physiology, fish physiology) or a foreign exam substantially equivalent to a PhD degree in a relevant subject. Preference will be given to candidates who have been awarded the degree no more than three years before the application deadline. Applicants with a degree awarded earlier may also be preferred if specific reasons exist. Such specific reasons may be a leave due to illness, parental leave, or other similar circumstances.

Assessments

We are seeking a motivated, driven, and analytical person to conduct independent research work within a Nordic research project. Previous experience and scientific publication within relevant areas and completed Laboratory Animal Science education for fish is a mandatory requirement.

Practical experience from experimental work on fish and theoretical and practical knowledge in cardiovascular physiology and tissue histology techniques are considered strong merits. Furthermore, previous experience of laboratory or fieldwork with fish is desirable.

Excellent abilities to communicate in English, both orally and written, is a requirement as the work is conducted in an international environment. Collaborative ability and flexibility are considered important personal traits, as the project is conducted in close collaboration with several national and international academic partners and fish farming companies.

The employment

The employment is a full-time position for two years placed at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science. Starting date: 2022-02-01.

For more information and how to apply

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system: https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/main?site=7&validator=9b89bead79bb7258ad55c8d75228e5b7〈=UK&rmpage=job&rmjob=22774 It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The application must be received no later than: 2021-12-02



 


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