Postdoctoral Fellow in Molecular Medicine

Ref PAR 2023/451

We are seeking two highly motivated and talented scientists for investigating the molecular pathogenesis underlying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and NAFLD-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the long-term goal of discovering new treatment strategies in this area of high unmet medical need. The successful applicants will have a key role in a project that is in the front line of metabolic research in hepatocellular lipotoxicity. The project is translational combining studies in human liver organoids, unique mouse models, and well-characterized patient cohorts.

The post-doctoral fellows are recruited to the research groups of Prof. Stefano Romeo and Prof. Margit Mahlapuu, which are part of a large network of metabolic researchers at the University of Gothenburg, and have excellent experimental infrastructure and extensive international collaborations.

The post-doctoral positions are financed by Wallenberg Centre of Molecular and Translational Medicine (WCMTM), University of Gothenburg, in the frames of a Pair-Linked Postdoc call, where two Principle Investigators collaborate to host one pre-clinically oriented postdoc and one clinically oriented postdoc to strengthen the connection between experimental and clinical research in Gothenburg. The post-doctoral fellows will be part of a large scientific network of young scientists within molecular medicine area at Wallenberg Centers across Sweden.

Description of the studies

The post-doctoral fellows (full-time position for 2 years with possibility to extend for 1 additional year) will characterize the molecular mechanisms controlling lipid partitioning in peripheral tissues prone to lipotoxic damage, with the focus on hepatocellular function of the new mediators belonging to STE20 kinase superfamily. The candidates will employ in vitro experiments in human cell lines and expression profiling in human tissue samples; however, the main focus will be on in vivo studies in mouse models where gene functions are modified genetically or by pharmacological agonists/antagonists.

Assessment

The applicants must have a PhD degree obtained within the last 3 years and are expected to have a strong record of scientific productivity with publications as first author in internationally renowned journals. The applicants should also have extensive experimental background in in vivo animal studies as well as experience of working with liver cells/organoids. Previous research in fatty liver disease and/or liver cancer is beneficial. The successful applicant is expected to plan, execute, and analyze experiments in an independent manner and to actively contribute scientifically to the group. Candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Contact

Applicants are asked to send the CVs including the list of publications, the three publications most relevant for the current application, and the contact details for at least three reference persons.

Questions can be sent to Prof. Romeo and Prof. Mahlapuu (email: stefano.romeo@gu.se and margit.mahlapuu@gu.se)

For further information and and to apply, go to Göteborgs universitet | Postdoctoral fellow in molecular medicine (reachmee.com)