Postdoctor in glycobiology

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 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 315 employees and approximately 450 million SEK in total assets. We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join our group to explore the mechanisms of microbiota-host mucin interactions Subject area  Glycobiology Subject area description  The human gut microbiota colonizes the colonic mucus layer that acts as a protective barrier between bacteria and the intestinal epithelium. The major component of the mucus layer are mucins, glycoproteins decorated with complex O-glycans. Some members of the human microbiota can bind to and utilize these complex glycans. We aim to identify how different gut bacteria utilize complex host glycans. Duties  In this project, the candidate will study how gut bacteria evolved to recognize host glycans. The candidate will use proteomics to identify putative carbohydrate-active enzymes from gut bacteria species that are implicated in host glycan utilization. The identified enzymes will be recombinantly expressed and characterized using a combination of biochemical assays. Additionally, the candidate will generate deletion mutants of putative key enzymes to determine their impact on glycans utilization. The aim of this project is to identify key enzymatic steps required for the degradation of host glycans by the gut microbiota. Eligibility  The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg.  To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made.  In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.   Assessment criteria  The ideal candidate will have documented experience in anaerobic microbiology, proteomics and biochemical techniques such as cloning, recombinant expression of proteins and characterization of carbohydrate-active enzymes. Experience in mucin biology, host glycans and bioinformatics will be considered as merits in support of an application. Previous experience in analysis of complex glycans by mass spectrometry and in structural biology is also a merit. Great emphasis will be placed on the candidate’s personal suitability for the position and a cle