Postdoctoral position (2 years) in Åke Forsberg's lab - Targeting virulence mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to develop novel sustainable antimicrobials

Targeting virulence mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to develop novel sustainable antimicrobials

Antibiotics have been one the most important factors contributing to health and prosperity. However, their indiscriminate use has led to the emergence of multi-resistant "superbugs" and our ability to prevent and treat infectious diseases is today severely threatened. Development of novel sustainable antibacterial drugs with modes of action distinct from today's medicines has become a major priority. Our increased understanding of the often ingenious specific molecular mechanisms employed by many pathogens to establish infection opens a window of opportunity for development of novel antimicrobials.

We have initiated a research programme with five-year support from the Swedish foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) where we take a multidisciplinary approach involving molecular infection biology, structural biology and chemistry to explore molecular mechanisms of bacterial virulence using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as model system. Pseudomonas is a notorious pathogen with intrinsic as well as acquired antibiotic resistance that makes treatment a significant challenge. The ultimate goal is to identify and optimize small organic molecules that specifically block virulence mechanisms in Pseudomonas.

Qualifications and work description
We are looking for excellent and enthusiastic candidates with experience from studies of molecular virulence mechanism in important bacterial pathogens. Specifically we are looking for candidates with experience in bacterial genetics, mutagenesis, protein expression and purification and cell infection models and experience from studies of Pseudomonas is a merit. The candidate will be responsible for development and validation of biological assays for high throughput screening methods to identify and evaluate compounds blocking specific virulence mechanisms. The research will be conducted in a multidisciplinary research environment in close collaboration with chemists and structural biologists....

Read the whole advertisement in Swedish and English on the webpage of Umeå University

Postdoctoral fellow in Infectious Disease modeling and real-time prediction of tularemia outbreaks

Our research group were recently awarded a grant from Formas, the Swedish Research Council for sustainable development, related to modeling of the occurrence of infectious diseases with a focus on tularemia. We has carried out modeling on retrospective data and thereby we were able to build a model that closely mimicked the historical data (e.g., Journal of Infectious Diseases 2012:205:297). We now intend to use the model to predict future occurrences of tularemia using meteorological and hydrological forecasts within different geographical areas.

Specifically, we will refine our existing models to predict the main causes of the outbreak of tularemia and try to identify additional causative factors. These refined models will be implemented using software with a user-friendly interface that can be used to predict future outbreaks of tularemia, using meteorological and hydrological forecasts, so that they work in real time and thus enables early institution of preventive measures in endemic areas. The validity of the model will also be assessed by analyzing retrospective data on other zoonotic diseases.

The project is interdisciplinary and involves biology, computer science, epidemiology, medicine and statistics. The postdoc is expected to take an active role in this interdisciplinary cooperation. The work involves collection and management of data as well as advanced modeling using statistical techniques. Experience in modeling using statistical methods is required and also excellent programming skills as well as excellent communication skills in English. Experience of interdisciplinary research projects within biology and medicine are qualifying.

The work will be performed as part of the UCMR network (http://www.ucmr.umu.se/). The mission of UCMR is to develop model systems to identify new control strategies for modern day problems of microbial infections such as emerging and re-emerging infections, large outbreaks of food, water and insect borne infections, hospital-acquired infections, bioterrorism, microbiota shift diseases, and antibiotic resistance. UCMR is an interdisciplinary consortium of academic research groups with outstanding track records in the fields of microbial molecular pathogenesis, chemistry, structural biology, physics, and mathematical statistics that have joined forces to establish a world-leading and sustainable scientific environment at Umeå University focused on understanding and preventing microbial infectious diseases.

Successful candidates for the postdoctoral should have earned a PhD degree in fields relevant for the position. To qualify for the postdoctoral position should the applicant's PhD degree not be older than 3 years. The employment will be 2 years.

Complete application should include:
• Introductory letter with a statement of research interest
• CV
• A list of publications
• Names and contact details of two persons willing to act as references

For more information contact Ass. Prof. Patrik Rydén, E-mail patrik.ryden(at)math.umu.se, or Prof. Anders Sjöstedt, E-mail, anders.sjostedt(at)climi.umu.se

Union information is available from SACO, +46-(0)90-786 53 65, SEKO, +46-(0)90-786 52 96 and ST, +46-(0)90-786 54 31.

Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.

Your complete application, marked with reference number 315-1174-13, should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (state the reference number as subject) or to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive January 17, 2014 at the latest.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Postdoctoral fellowship at Umeå University to study metabolomic profiles of infectious diseases

Metabolomics, the comprehensive analysis of metabolites, is a rapidly developing diagnostic tool. The aim of the fellowship is to develop protocols and techniques for identification of metabolites in human-derived samples and to perform metabolomic analysis of various sample types from patients with infectious diseases.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate should have received a Ph.D. degree or within 3 months fulfill the requirements for a PhD in relevant disciplines and have experience in fields relevant for the project. Specifically, the applicant should have extensive experience of experimental work in microbiology and/or infectious diseases and of metabolomic analysis. The candidate is expected to carry out the proposed project independently but also to collaborate with members of the research group. The fellowship will be for 2 years.

Location:
Our laboratory at the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University belongs to MIMS (The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden). MIMS (www.mims.umu.se/) constitutes the Swedish node within the Nordic partnership for Molecular Medicine that is formed together with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the Finland and Norway nodes. MIMS is established within the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (www.ucmr.umu.se/) at Umeå University. The groups of the MIMS work in modern laboratories with well-equipped common facilities and platforms in a creative, inspiring and highly interactive environment. The candidate will participate in activities provided by the Laboratories, thus interacting with researchers from different research fields. Some of the work will be carried out in the facilities of the Swedish Metabolomics Centre at Umeå University (www.swedishmetabolomicscentre.se/).

Application:
The application for the fellowship should include:
• A cover letter summarizing research interests and previous experiences and the rationale for applying.
• A CV including publication list and copy of relevant certificates, including proof of PhD exam.
• Names and addresses to two reference persons.
• Other relevant documentation in support of your application.
Documents should be sent electronically in PDF format.

For questions contact Professor Anders Sjöstedt; anders.sjostedt(at)climi.umu.se. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University.

Your complete application, marked with reference number 223-1901-13, should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (state the reference number as subject) before January 17, 2014.

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