Postdoctoral Researcher position in Translational Neonatal Gut–Brain Research

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 institute of Clinical Sciences is now seeking a postdoctoral fellow, located at the Department of Pediatrics. The Department of Pediatrics conducts research on neonatal health and child outcomes. Many of the research group leaders have a translational approach with laboratory research linked to clinical research.

The position is linked to a research project led by Anders Elfvin. The research group focuses on neonatal intestinal problems in premature infants and their complications for children in the short and long term. There is a particular research interest in the gut-brain axis. The research includes biobanks and databases in Sweden, as well as animal models of neonatal premature intestinal development. The position will be located at the Laboratory of Neurophysiology at Sahlgrenska Academy in collaboration with Maryam Ardalan’s group, which conducts the preclinical research. The position will also include a close collaboration with clinical researchers and handling of samples from newborn infants.

Subject area

Translational Neonatal Gut–Brain Research

Subject area description

This project investigates how preterm birth and early-life intestinal inflammation influence brain development through the gut–brain axis. By combining clinical follow-up studies of extremely preterm children with experimental models of neonatal intestinal injury, the research examines how immune activation and microbiome alterations affect neurodevelopmental outcomes. The work integrates neonatology, immunology, microbiome science, and developmental neuroscience to better understand how early gut dysfunction shapes brain maturation.

Duties

The candidate will conduct research within both clinical and experimental components of the project. The tasks include data collection and analysis from clinical follow-up studies, laboratory work in neonatal animal models, and application of molecular, histological, and microbiome-related techniques. The candidate is expected to analyze and interpret data, contribute to manuscript preparation, and present findings at national and international meetings. Active participation in research seminars and collaboration within an interdisciplinary research environment are also included.

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

To be eligible, the applicant must have completed a PhD in medicine, biology, molecular biology, biotechnology or equivalent. The applicant must have documented experience in experimental laboratory techniques relevant to the project as well as experience in working with animal models and/or analyzing clinical data. Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written, is required.

Experience in research in neonatal development, gut-brain interactions, neuroinflammation is an asset. Furthermore, knowledge in molecular biology, histology, and advanced microscopy and image analysis, such as confocal microscopy and 3D reconstruction, is desirable. Experience in analyzing larger data sets, such as RNA sequencing, bioinformatics or statistical analysis, as well as previous work in translational projects or in collaboration with clinical research environments, is seen as an advantage.

Employment

The employment is limited (temporary) for 24 months, 100% of full-time and is placed at the Institute of Clinical Sciences, the Department of Pediatrics. Starting date: as soon as possible.

Contact information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Anders Elfvin, email: anders.elfvin@gu.se phone: +46 722029830, or Associate Professor Maryam Ardalan, email: maryam.ardalan@gu.se phone: +46 703680067.

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: 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.

Applications must be received by: 2026-05-27

Information for International Applicants

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Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.