Postdoc position in Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles in Psychiatric Disorders

The Laboratory for host-microbiome interactions (LHMI) at the Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, has a postdoc position available from April 1st, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years.

Job description
The gut microbiota is involved in a bi-directional communication with the brain (the gut-brain-axis), and dysbiosis is associated with several neurological and psychiatric disorders. The gut-brain-axis involves endocrine, immune, and neural signaling pathways, but how the gut microbiota exerts its effect over long distances, is not very well understood. This project aims to investigate if bacterial extracellular vesicles, secreted from the gut microbiota, may be involved in this gut-brain communication.

The postdoc will optimize and implement methods for isolation of gut-microbiota derived extracellular vesicles from human body fluids, and furthermore investigate vesicles from patients with psychiatric disorders in order to understand their potential role in gut-brain communication. The candidate is also expected to assist with student supervision and training of other scientific staff.

The project is funded by the Lundbeck Foundation and is an integrated part of the current research activities at the LHMI Group at the Centre for Clinical Research. Our group has a focus on understanding the association between the microbiome and human health and disease. Read more about our projects and research center here: . The research group consists of an interdisciplinary team and collaborates with some of the leading Danish and international research groups within the microbiome and extracellular vesicle fields.

Qualifications
It is a requirement that the candidate holds a PhD degree in molecular biology, biomedicine, or related field. We will highly prioritize candidates that fulfill all or some of the following skills:

• has documented experience and knowledge within the human gut microbiome and psychiatric disorders
• has hands on experience working with extracellular vesicles
• has strong laboratory skills, e.g., with nucleic acid extraction from lowbiomass samples, PCR, Oxford Nanopore sequencing, cell culture assays
• has strong bioinformatics skills, in particular with microbiome and multiomics analyses
• excellent oral and written English language skills

Further information regarding the position can be obtained by contacting Associate Professor Suzette Sørensen, .

The application
Applications are submitted using the online application system, and must contain the following:

• Motivational letter
• CV
• Publication list
• Copies of relevant diplomas
• References/recommendations

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to Helle Schrøder Hansen: .

Application deadline: March 10th, 2024.

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