We are currently seeking a candidate for a postdoctoral position in bacterial intrauterine infections in pregnancy. The project will explore the role of specific bacterial factors in breaching the protective cervical mucus plug (CMP) that forms during pregnancy.
The candidate will join a newly established Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine (WCMTM) at the University of Gothenburg (https://wcmtm.gu.se/). As part of this venture, Dr. George Birchenough has established his research group (https://www.birchenoughlab.org/) at the Department of Medical Biochemistry & Cell Biology at the University of Gothenburg. The group works towards a better understanding of how mucosal defence systems control our interactions with the environment, how those systems fail in disease and how they might be prophylactically or therapeutically targeted.
The group is part of a large network of researchers at Gothenburg University, most importantly the Mucin Biology Groups cluster (http://www.medkem.gu.se/mucinbiology/) that currently includes over 30 researchers working at the forefront of mucosal biology. The candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with experts in multiple experimental methods that work within the cluster, as well as more widely with other local and national groups within the WCMTM network.
Subject area description
Our mucosal surfaces are the interface between the environment and our tissues. Their physiological functions are critical, but necessitate constant exposure of living cells to a vast collection of microbial lifeforms that includes many opportunistic and obligate pathogens. As a result, our mucosa have evolved multiple defensive systems that allow them to endure in this environment, and failure of these systems is often linked to development of acute and chronic disease. Consequently, understanding the development and regulation of these systems is key to understanding the pathoaetiology of mucosal disease and how they can be prevented or treated.
Approximately 15 million children are born preterm every year, resulting directly in up to 1 million annual deaths and long-term health consequences for survivors. Over half of preterm births are associated with ascension of vaginal microbes into the normally sterile intrauterine environment, and it is thought that inflammatory responses to these microbes are an important driver of early delivery. The CMP forms in the cervical canal early in pregnancy, and is thought to act as a barrier to microbial ascension. Some specific bacterial species are able to transverse this barrier and colonise the intrauterine environment, and we hypothesise that this drives the maternal inflammatory responses that can initiate preterm birth. It is currently not known which specific factors allow these bacteria to breach the CMP, but these unknown factors may represent promising anti-infective targets reducing intrauterine infection and preterm birth.
The project will therefore employ high throughput mutagenic screening with a bacterial intrauterine infection model and different mouse strains to identify specific bacterial factors that allow breach of the CMP.
Duties
The successful candidate will be expected to work extensively with bacteria, genetic manipulation and pre-clinical mouse models. The candidate will be encouraged and expected to conduct their experimental research in an independent manner and to make significant contributions to project planning. The candidate will also actively contribute to the local research environment at the Mucin Biology Groups and engage in interactions with collaborators and other groups belonging to the WCMTM network. If necessary, the candidate may also be asked to assist in the supervision of Masters or PhD students.
Eligibility
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
Applications will be judged primarily on evidence of relevant scientific skills. The applicant must provide evidence of a PhD in a relevant area of research and have demonstrable skills in both written and spoken English. Previous experience working with animal bacterial infection models is essential. Any previous experience in microbial genetics, microscopy, mass spectrometry, organoid culture, flow cytometry, bioinformatics or in vivo disease modelling will be considered as merits in support of an application. Eligible applicants will be asked to partake in an interview and present their previous research. Great emphasis will be placed on the candidate’s personal suitability for the position and clear interest in the subject area.
Employment
The employment is full time and temporary, two years with the possibility of one year's extension, with placement at the Institute of Biomedicine. First day of employment as agreed.
Contact information
Please contact George Birchenough, senior lecturer, email: [email protected]
Unions
https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives
Application
Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.
The application should contain:
* A cover letter giving a brief description of previous research experience, and a motivation to why you are applying
* A CV including a list of publications
* Proof of completed PhD
* Contact details of two references
Applications must be received by: 2026-10-21
