2-Year Postdoc Fellowship in Antibiotic Research, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

2-Year Postdoc Fellowship in Antibiotic Research

Antibiotic Research Group, Division of Chemical Biology, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden

Who are we?

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The Division of Chemical Biology is a dynamic research environment that is home to several young and active research groups that work on biomolecules and their function in cellular environments.

Sharing a common goal to address urgent challenges related to human health, the division comprises a broad expertise ranging from single molecule biophysics to cellular and organismal biology.

This fellowship opportunity is open within the Antibiotic Research Group. Our group studies the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic action and resistance in living bacteria with the aim to improve the fundamental knowledge of how antibiotics interact with bacterial cells.

The discovery of antibiotics such as penicillin revolutionized modern medicine. Formerly deadly diseases became easily treatable and infections following childbirth or surgical procedures could be effectively medicated. However, this privileged situation could change drastically over the next years.

Bacteria possess a remarkable capability to genetically adapt and become increasingly resistant to existing antibiotics. Only few new antibiotics have been developed in the last decades, which makes it increasingly difficult to keep up with the development of bacterial resistance.

To reverse this trend and prevent a fallback into a pre-antibiotic era, we need to advance antibiotic discovery and minimize the development and spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment.

In order to achieve this, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of antibiotics and the countermeasures that bacterial cells employ to acquire tolerance or resistance to antibiotic drugs.

Using this knowledge, we try to develop more sustainable antibiotics and new antimicrobial strategies.

What do we offer?

We are inviting applications for a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship working on a project focused on a new antibiotic candidate derived from a plant used in traditional Asian medicine. In this project, the successful candidate will assess the synergistic and resistance-breaking properties of this compound and investigate the mechanisms behind its action. Read more on our research projects here.

The successful candidate will receive a tax-free monthly allowance competitive with regular postdoc salaries at the institution. Aside from research activities, there will be possibilities to deepen existing and acquire new skills through participation in courses and workshops.

Major responsibilities:

Your major responsibility will be research. You will employ state-of-the-art in vivo techniques, such as advanced cell biological methods, live cell imaging including super resolution microscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy, but also in vitro assays using model membrane systems.

The position also involves molecular cloning and bacterial strain construction. Experiments will be performed both in non-pathogenic models, like Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, and in human pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

For an impression of the methodologies used in our research group, please check out our publication list.

The fellowship comes with no fixed teaching obligations, but supervision of junior lab members and thesis projects is expected.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate obtained their PhD degree no more than 3 years ago. Applications from candidates, who are about to finish their PhD qualification, will be considered, if the degree will be completed until the prospective starting date. We are looking for a candidate with a background in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, biomedicine, or comparable.

Experience in microbiology, molecular biology, and microscopy is advantageous, but not strictly required. Excellent command of verbal and written English is expected. Knowledge of Swedish is not required.

We are looking for a highly motivated and well-organized individual with good problem-solving skills and the ability to deliver high precision lab work. You should be able to work independently and develop your project further on your own initiative.

The project is of interdisciplinary and collaborative nature and we are seeking a person with a cooperative mindset and the ability to communicate results to interdisciplinary and international co-workers.

Due to internal regulations, the successful candidate may not have previously been employed in Sweden.

The application process:

Please send your CV and cover letter directly to Michaela Wenzel: wenzelm@chalmers.se.

Application deadline is 15.02.2022

The successful candidate will be selected after an interview (on-site or Zoom). The tentative starting date of the project is April 2022 (flexible within reason).

Offer Requirements