Researcher in Intestinal Biomarkers of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Pharmacy at Uppsala University is an interdisciplinary environment at the center of the pharmaceutical arena. With frontline research, first-class education and extensive collaborations we constitute a driving force in the development of our academic field. In this inspiring environment our rich diversity of research groups, several of international prominence, develop and conduct work of great scientific importance. Among our core competences are computational modelling and simulations, in vitro ADME models, advanced in vivo methods and societal aspects from optimizing the use of drugs in individuals to societal pharmaceutical policies. Together, we form a unique cluster of academic competences within pharmaceutical sciences, playing a key role in shaping the future of pharmacy in both Sweden and globally.

Our scientific focus areas in selection: Molecular Pharmaceutics • Drug Delivery • Pharmaceutical nanotechnology • Pharmacokinetics • Pharmacodynamics • Pharmacometrics • Clinical Pharmacy • Pharmacoeconomics • Pharmacoepidemiology • Pharmacotherapy • Social Pharmacy.

More information: Department of Pharmacy

SciLifeLab (www.scilifelab.se) is a Swedish national center for molecular biosciences with focus on health and environmental research. The center combines frontline technical expertise with advanced knowledge of translational medicine and molecular bioscience. SciLifeLab is hosted by four Swedish universities (Uppsala University, Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University) and collaborates with several other universities. 

The research group: The researcher will be linked to the research group Molecular Pharmaceutics. The group takes a multidisciplinary approach and combines computational chemistry and bioinformatics with cell- and molecular biology, biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutics and physical chemistry to find new ways to predict and define rate-limiting barriers to the absorption and organ distribution of different types of drugs. We anticipate that our research will provide insights into new mechanisms for drug absorption, disposition and delivery, which will support development of new therapeutic strategies for efficient oral drug delivery. More information at Bergstrom. The position is placed in the research group of Associate Professor Alexandra Teleki (Alexandra-Teleki) who is associated with SciLifeLab. The overall goal of the Teleki research group is to transform innovative nanomedical approaches to clinically relevant, patient-compliant diagnosis and treatment.

 The project: This project is part of ERC Consolidator Grant MAGNETO that aims to develop a novel diagnostic and therapeutic platform to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children. The inflammation of gut tissue in IBD patients results in the overexpression of specific biomarkers. In this project we will quantify the global proteome in biopsy samples from IBD patients through our clinical collaborators at Uppsala University Hospital. Biobanking (intestinal biopsies, serum and feces) is currently ongoing. The main task of the researcher will be to analyze these in vivo samples using multi-omics technologies. The biomarkers identified in this project will be used as targets for oral delivery of nanoparticles for the non-invasive diagnosis of IBD using magnetic imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic particle imaging (MPI). Comparison of biomarkers found in experimental disease models (Asad et al., 2021) and human biopsies will further support clinical translation of the nanoengineered theranostic platform.

Focus areas of the position: Inflammation • Inflammatory bowel disease • Proteomics • Transcriptomics • Bioanalysis in biological matrices  •  Bioinformatics

Duties: 100% researcher. The researcher will primarily devote his/her time to experimental research work.

Qualifications: The successful candidate should have a PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Molecular Biology or Pharmacy or other relevant area. Experience with proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, biomarker and human plasma and intestinal biopsy analysis is essential. In-depth knowledge and practical experience working with liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry such as e.g. IM-QToF (Waters), Q-Exactive HF Orbitrap (Thermo Scientific) equipped with nano/micro LC, are an advantage. Experience with intact mass determination and protein characterization is an advantage. Detailed understanding of common proteomic assays and techniques, from basic proteolytic digestions to more complex quantitative and qualitative proteomic analysis is desired. Additionally, hands-on experience with relevant analytical software (such as MassLynx, Unifi, X-calibur, Proteome Discoverer, Compound Discoverer and Trace Finder), analytical sample preparation and reporting of the analysis in biological matrices (plasma and tissue homogenates) are crucial. The candidate’s role will also be to complement work of the Teleki team with analytical and protein expertise.

The successful candidate must be able to work independently and take own initiatives, but also as part of a team. Emphasis is placed on personal suitability. The applicant must also have good communication skills in English, both written and oral, due to the highly international work environment.

Eligibility: To be eligible to apply you must have a PhD or equivalent degree completed in a relevant area.

How to apply: The application should be submitted via the application portal of Uppsala University and contain the following:

• a CV including a complete list of publications,
• a personal letter in which the applicant describes her- or himself, motivates why she/he has applied for the position, states relevant qualifications and indicates research interests and plans for the future,
• contact details of at least two references (email and telephone number),
• authorized copies of relevant certificates, degrees and grades, and copies of the three most important publications that the applicant wants to invoke.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position, 360 days. Scope of employment 100%. Starting date 1 March 2024 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Associate Professor Alexandra Teleki, email: alexandra.teleki@farmaci.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 3 January 2024, UFV-PA 2023/4688.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.