Postdoc in Nutritional Metabolomics

We are looking for a postdoc to join our team at the Division of Food and Nutrition Science, Department of Life Sciences. Become part of our innovative group and contribute to exciting research in nutritional metabolomics within a collaborative and dynamic environment.

About us

The Department of Life Sciences is aiming at bridging cutting edge life science research with biochemical engineering, in order to emerge as the leading innovation center in the region. The research has broad applications in areas of health and industrial production of e.g. fine chemicals, food and energy. The department offers highly qualified education for engineering students within the area of bioengineering. It is furthermore collaborating in broad, interdiciplinary national and international networks within academia and the industry.

The Division of Food and Nutrition Science is one of four research divisions at the Department of Life Sciences. Food and Nutrition Science is one of the leading units in the area in Sweden with particular strengths in nutritional and computational metabolomics, dietary biomarkers, micronutrient metal nutrition, nutritional immunology, marine food science, plant based foods, food biotechnology and nutrition as well as food by-product biorefining and protein technology.

The division has a wide range of modern analytical equipment for chromatography coupled with mass spectrometery, an in vitro human cell laboratory, and a microbiology laboratory. The division focuses on nutritional solutions for health and disease prevention by studies on the molecular, cellular, and whole-body level. It also has a strong focus on sustainable use of food raw materials and on many different quality aspects of food.

About the research project

Diet plays an important role in human health. Effects are partly mediated by the thousands of small molecules present in foods, which are to some degree absorbed and/or metabolized by gut microbiota. Characterizing food- and microbiota-derived molecules and determining their levels in biological

samples from humans is essential to study their health effects. Short-chain fatty acids represent small molecules derived from gut fermentation of dietary fiber and proteins, which have physiological effects or

relevance to health. They represent an analytical challenge since they are present in small concentrations in systemic circulation and because of their volatility, which can easily cause contamination.

We have developed a quantitative LC-MS/MS method for their analysis in different matrices. The method is further developed by including other fermentation-derived metabolites and is used for analysis of thousands of samples in different research projects in our laboratory.

Who we are looking for

The following requirements are mandatory:

• A doctoral degree in food science, nutrition, bioanlytical chemistry or an equivalent foreign degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Documented experience from modern LC-MS method development and analysis

You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching, and to demonstrate good potential within research and education.

The following experience will strengthen your application:

• It is highly meritorious if the doctoral degree has been obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Anlytical method development and validation
• Documentet quality assurance work
• Experience from hands-on mass spectrometry handling

What you will do

• Being responsible for the maintenance and further development of a quantitative method for the analysis of SCFA in different sample matrices (plasma, faeces, saliva, breast milk etc.)
• Being responsible to conduct reserach with the method in collaboration with students, doctoral students and other postdocs
• Drive quality assurance work and documentation and presenting data, results and method development internally and externally, both in written and oral presentations
• Supervise master’s and/or PhD students to a certain extent
• Possibility to engage in teaching at undergraduate/master’s level

The position is meritorious for future roles in academia, industry, or the public sector.

Contract terms

The position is a temporary full-time employment for two years with the possibility of a one-year extension.

The position requires physical presence throughout the entire employment. A valid residence permit must be presented by the start date, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn.

What we offer

• As a postdoc at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
• Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.

If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.

Application procedure

The application should be written in English be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV

• A comprehensive CV, including a complete list of publications.
• Details of previous teaching and pedagogical experience.

Personal letter

• A brief introduction about yourself.
• A summary of your previous research fields and key research outcomes.
• An outline of your future goals and research focus.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

A background check may be conducted as part of the application process.

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview.

Applications will be reviewed continuously, and interviews may be conducted before the application deadline. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

We welcome your application no later than 2026-09-21

For questions, please contact:

Rikard Landberg

Professor and head of Division of Food and Nutrition Science

rikard.landberg@chalmers.se

We look forward to your application!

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.

Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.