Researcher

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 Institute of Biomedicine is involved in both research and education. In both of these areas, we focus on fundamental knowledge of the living cell – what it consists of, how it works, how its function is directed by the genetic material, and how it interacts with various kinds of micro-organisms. Using this knowledge, we try to elucidate the causes of diseases, and find new ways to diagnose and treat them.

The Institute is composed of the following four departments:


• The Department of Infectious Diseases
• The Department of Microbiology and Immunology
• The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology
• The Department of Laboratory Medicine

At present, the institute has about 360 employees and approximately 450 million SEK in total assets.

Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to human health and there is a growing recognition that interventions within the healthcare sector are not enough to curb this development. Instead, a one-health perspective to control antibiotic resistance also outside of the healthcare setting is needed. Unfortunately, we lack comprehensive reference data for resistance in most environments, meaning that there is little knowledge on the range of background abundance and prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes occurring naturally, impeding monitoring efforts.

There is now an open six-months researcher position in the EMBARK project (http://antimicrobialresistance.eu), which aims to solve these problems hindering monitoring by the integration of several different approaches. The project will establish baseline ranges for background resistance in different environments and standardize different methods for resistance monitoring. The project is an international collaboration between six research groups and the postdoc will have a major role in both local and collaborative activities.

Job assignments
The researcher position will deal with the sub-projects of the EMBARK program that will be performed in the Bengtsson-Palme lab (https://microbiology.se) in Gothenburg. Specifically, the project will deal with aspects of establishment of a baseline for background antibiotic resistance in the environment, standardization of monitoring protocols, development of methods to detect emerging resistance threats and prioritization of monitoring targets.

The project will involve work with environmental sampling, DNA extractions, bacterial culturing and generation of large-scale DNA sequence data. In terms of bioinformatic analyses, the project will encompass analysis of next-generation sequence data, genome-resolved metagenomics, short-read assembly and network analysis. In addition to this, the postdoc will be involved in standardization and prioritization together with the rest of the EMBARK consortium, as well as external communication activities with relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications
PhD in a relevant subject. A successful candidate will be selected based on: i) documented experience with analysis of large-scale next-generation sequencing data (such as shotgun metagenomics or RNAseq) and particularly short-read assembly methods, ii) familiarity with some common programming language (e.g. Python, Perl or R) as well as Linux/Unix, iii) oral and written communication skills in English, and iv) analytical ability. Experience with laboratory work, such as DNA or RNA extraction and sequencing library preparation is strongly meriting. Experience of working in collaboration with a large international consortium or research environment is meriting, as is previous work with antimicrobial resistance, environmental monitoring or ecology. Experience of research communication in e.g. popular science journals, public lectures or in podcast format is meriting.

Employment
The employment is full time and temporary, 6 months, with placement at the Institute of Biomedicine. First day of employment as agreed.

For further information regarding the position
Please contact Assistant Professor Johan Bengtsson-Palme, e-mail: johan.bengtsson-palme@gu.se

Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply

Information for International Applicants
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/

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. 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 selection of candidates is made on the basis of the qualifications registered in the application.

Closing date: 2022-01-11

The application should contain:

- Proof of completed PhD

The University of Gothenburg promotes equal opportunities, equality and diversity.

Salary is determined on an individual basis.

Applications will be destroyed or returned (upon request) two years after the decision of employment has become final. Applications from the employed and from those who appeal the decision will not be returned.


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.