Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in biomaterials with a focus on infection microbiology

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 Clinical Sciences is one of six Institutes within Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg. We conduct research and education that puts people’s health and quality of life in focus. We represent 16 different research areas and are divided into four sections. Through a fruitful collaboration with the healthcare and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, we have developed joint projects and meeting places that benefits both health care and research.

The position as Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) is placed at the Department of Biomaterials, which has an internationally leading position in the field of tissue integration of implants and prostheses. Knowledge of the mechanisms of tissue integration and failure due to infection is important for the clinical translation of new antimicrobial medical devices and treatment strategies. Research takes place in collaborative projects with Swedish and international universities and companies. The department carries out several projects in collaboration with clinical colleagues and material experts. Examples of these are studies of mechanisms for implant-associated infection and biofilms, host-bacteria-material interactions, as well as clinical studies on orthopaedic device-related infections (Sahlgrenska University Hospital).

With this announcement, we wish to recruit an Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) who can broaden biomaterials research towards medical and molecular microbiology and contribute to the further development of research and education within the subject as a whole, as well as interact with the surrounding society. Currently, several projects on the topic of biomaterial-associated infection, medical biofilms, and antibiotic resistance are funded by regional, national and international grants.

Subject area

Biomaterials with a focus on infection microbiology

Subject area description

Biomaterials science is a multidisciplinary research subject with focus on the interaction between materials and biology. The subject combines knowledge of the material properties with the tissue’s cellular and molecular processes, morphological and biomechanical aspects under normal and pathological conditions, as well as the pathogenesis of infection and its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The focus is on curiosity-driven basic research with clinical applications, and includes both preclinical and clinical studies.

Implant-related infection is one of the worst complications, the prevalence of which is increasing due to the aging population, and representing more than half of all hospital-acquired infections. The subject of the employment focus on understanding of how microorganisms form biofilms on medical devices and cause biomaterial-related infections, how biofilm-related antimicrobial resistance causes treatment failure, and how biomaterial-related infections can be prevented, diagnosed or treated.

Research at the Department of Biomaterials is primarily focused on materials used in the musculoskeletal system and includes, among other things, clinical applications within orthopedic implants and hearing implants, oral and craniofacial reconstruction, as well as biomaterial-related infections, pathogenic microorganisms, biofilms and antibiotic resistance.

Duties

The position includes conducting research in biomaterials science with a focus on infection microbiology at a nationally and internationally competitive level, and the Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) will apply for national and/or international research funding. The position holder will play a leading role in planning and conducting clinical, preclinical, and basic research in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

The position includes teaching at the advanced level, including relevant courses such as the elective course on regenerative medicine for Term 11, and postgraduate courses related to biomaterials science and scientific communication. The role also involves supervision of doctoral students. Teaching will be conducted in English.

The position also includes administrative duties related to teaching and research, as well as collaboration with the surrounding community. The position involves extensive national and international collaboration with researchers and societal actors, including the medical device industry.

The employee who lacks higher education pedagogy training must complete such training within one year of taking up the position.

For promotion, the applicant must have acquired the ability to master Swedish in writing and speaking at least level B2 according to GERS no later than six months before the end of the Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) position. The University of Gothenburg will offer courses in Swedish that are mandatory within the framework of the position.

Eligibility

Eligibility for employment as an Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) is regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointment Procedure for Teachers Posts at the University of Gothenburg.

A person qualified for appointment as an Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) is a person who has been awarded a PhD in medical science within biomaterials science, biotechnology, medical microbiology, or an equivalent subject, or has the corresponding research expertise. Primary consideration should be given to a person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor). However, a person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances. The reasons for the absence, its dates, and its extent must be clearly specified in the application and supported by appropriate documentation.

Good knowledge of spoken and written English and the ability to teach in English are required for the employment.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for employment as an Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) are regulated by the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance and the The Appointment Procedure for Teachers Posts at the University of Gothenburg.

In the assessment, scientific and pedagogical expertise are weighted equally and take precedence. Administrative skills and the ability to collaborate are considered secondarily.

In assessing scientific expertise, primary emphasis is placed on qualifications within the subject area, such as peer-reviewed scientific articles in national or international journals, where scientific quality is prioritized over the quantity of publications. Additional merit is the ability to supervise students and research staff, as well as the ability to communicate research to the wider community. It will also be a merit if the applicant also demonstrates an ability to obtain external national or international research funding in competition.

In assessing pedagogical expertise, special weight is given to the ability and experience in supervising and teaching at the advanced and doctoral levels. Pedagogical skills must be documented in a manner that allows for qualitative evaluation.

In the assessment of outreach activities (the third mission), particular emphasis is placed on the ability to communicate research to the surrounding society. In assessing administrative skills, experience in academic leadership is important, as well as the ability to collaborate both within academia and with external stakeholders.

Employment

Fixed-term employment for 5 years, full-time (100%). Placement at the Institute of Clinical Sciences. Starting date as soon as possible as agreed.

A position as Associate Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) is a fixed-term position and defined as a career-development position. The purpose of the position is to allow you to develop as an independent researcher and establish scholarly and educational qualifications to fulfil eligibility requirements as a senior lecturer. The position may be extended by at most two years because of sick leave, parental leave or other special reasons result in additional time is required to fulfil the purpose of the position. The requirements for being promoted to senior lecturer are assessment criteria developed by the Sahlgrenska Academy’s faculty board.

Other Information

If the applicant does not have formal university pedagogical training at the University of Gothenburg, the applicant is expected to have completed university pedagogical training or acquired equivalent knowledge within one year of the employment date. The assessment of such university pedagogical merits shall be conducted in a special order in accordance with the decision of the Vice-Chancellor.

Internationally recruited staff are offered a contracted relocation package and tax advisory services (Global Mobility support).

Contact information

Head of section Anders Björkman, professor, + 46317863666, anders.bjorkman@gu.se
Head of department Jovanna Dahlgren, professor, 0766-186737, jovanna.dahlgren@gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application 

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. Applications must follow the layout of the recommendations for the Guidelines for application to teaching position (applications).pdf

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. Please note in particular that the following documents (in swedish or english) must accompany the application:

• Doctoral degree
• A maximum of 10 selected scientific publications that the applicant want to refer to (in full text)
• Research plan/Research programme
• Other certificates /proof /rating proving applicant’s qualifications

Any documents that are not available in electronic format should be sent to:

University of Gothenburg
The Sahlgrenska Academy
Box 400
405 30 Göteborg
SWEDEN

The reference number of the application, PAR 2026/189, should be clearly stated when mailing complementary documents.

The application is to be written in English.