The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Umeå University, Sweden invites applicants for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in H. pylori gene regulation. The fellowship is expected to start in 2025-09-01 or according to agreement. Application deadline is June 3rd, 2025
Description of the project
Half of the world's population is estimated to be infected with the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. The infection is lifelong if not treated, and in some individuals the infection causes peptic ulcer disease or gastric cancer. The environment in the gastric mucosa varies during the infection and the bacterium must adapt to the various changes that occur. Through previous research, we have molecularly described gene regulation mechanisms that contribute to a better understanding of how the bacterium adapts to the local environment in the stomach. The H. pylori SabA attachment protein mediates binding to the inflamed gastric mucosa.
In this project, we want to continue studying how different factors, related to inflammation, impact the expression of SabA. We apply genetic, molecular biological and biochemical approaches to analyze the molecular mechanisms that control the expression of SabA. There will be a significant focus on studying DNA-protein interactions: constructing mutants, expressing and purifying recombinant proteins and characterizing its biochemical properties and DNA-binding ability. This research will contribute knowledge about molecular mechanisms that control gene regulation in H. pylori which are probably also relevant and applicable in other bacterial species, especially in bacteria with small genomes and a limited set of transcription factors.
Please see our lab page for more details about our recent research
Anna Arnqvist team belongs to the Umeå Centre for microbial research (UCMR)
Eligibility and qualifications
A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate within biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology or a related discipline, is eligible for appointment as postdoctoral researcher. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.
We are looking for a motivated candidate who has documented laboratory experience in molecular biology, microbiology and biochemical methods. You should have practical experience in molecular cloning, expression and purification of recombinant proteins, various biochemical, biophysical or molecular biological analysis techniques. You should have a strong relevant research output, as evidenced by first authorship, preferably in areas related to mechanisms that control gene expression or host-parasite interactions.
Candidates must be fluent in spoken and written English. Since the project will be collaborative in nature, candidates are expected to work in a team and therefore have good collaboration skills. Good initiative and the ability to work independently is a requirement. Experience in studying DNA-protein interactions, such as performing EMSAs, in vitro transcription or biophysical methods for characterization of proteins is a merit.
Application
The application must include:
A cover letter explaining why you are interested in the fellowship and how you can contribute to the project (1-2 A4 page).
A curriculum vitae that documents academic education and past and previous employments.
A brief description of your previous research experience outlining methodologies and research questions (no more than 1 page).
A list with your publications (describe also your contributions for each paper with no more than four sentences).
A copy of the PhD certificate and other relevant degree certificates.
Names and contact details with e-mail addresses of two or three academic references.
The application must be written in Swedish or English, and submitted via our e-recruitment system Varbi at latest June 3rd, 2025.
Contact the head of Lab Anna Arnqvist for more information, anna.arnqvist@umu.se
