Research Assistant in Human Adipose Tissue Metabolism Full-time

Research Assistant in Human Adipose Tissue Metabolism

Are you interested in working with metabolic research in adipose tissue, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? We welcome you to apply for a research assistant position at Clinical Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University.

The Department of Medical Sciences is a large clinical institution with more than 250 employees and over 900 additional coworkers connected via the Uppsala University Hospital. The Department of Medical Sciences has a broad research profile with strong research groups in a number of different areas. The research carried out at the department is performed in close connection with the clinical activities at the Uppsala University Hospital, which includes both basic studies on the causes of a variety of illnesses and the development and evaluation of improved diagnostics and new treatment methods.

The research group Clinical Diabetology and Metabolism conducts clinical and experimental research focused on obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. The research group has strong interdisciplinary collaborations locally, nationally, and internationally, and works at the interface between clinical research, human tissue studies, and molecular metabolism. The current research environment is dynamic and collaborative, with opportunities to contribute to projects with high clinical relevance.

A central focus of the group is to understand how hormonal and pharmacological signals regulate adipose tissue function and how adipose tissue contributes to the development of metabolic disease. These studies are expected to contribute to the development of new strategies for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. The workplace offers a stimulating research environment with close supervision, strong teamwork, and opportunities for development in experimental and translational metabolism research.

Duties: The Research Assistant will contribute to ongoing experimental research projects investigating the hormonal regulation of human adipose tissue metabolism. Responsibilities include handling human adipose tissue samples and isolated adipocytes, conducting glucose uptake assays, RNA and protein analyses, and participating in data management, statistical analyses, and the preparation of figures and scientific documentation.

The research will focus on elucidating the effects of glucocorticoid and GLP-1 signaling in human adipose tissue, including their impact on glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and the regulation of genes and proteins relevant to obesity and type 2 diabetes. The position may also involve assisting with the interpretation and synthesis of experimental findings for presentations, reports, grant applications, and scientific publications.

Requirements: We are seeking a candidate with a Master's degree in Biomedicine, Medical Science, or a closely related field. The applicant should have experience with experimental work in cell biology, metabolism, endocrinology, or translational research, preferably involving human tissue or adipocyte models.

The successful candidate should have practical experience with laboratory methods relevant to metabolic research, such as tissue handling, adipocyte isolation, glucose uptake assays, qPCR, and protein analysis. Good analytical ability, attention to detail, and the capacity to work both independently and in close collaboration with others are required.

Excellent English communication skills, both spoken and written, are required. Great importance will be placed on personal qualities such as responsibility, flexibility, organizational skills, and a genuine interest in metabolic research.

Additional qualifications: Experience with human adipose tissue research, insulin signaling, or glucocorticoid and incretin biology is considered an advantage. Previous work with transcriptomic or other omics-based data analysis is also meritorious, as is familiarity with statistical analysis and scientific figure preparation.

Knowledge of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and adipose tissue biology will be particularly valuable. Experience from a translational research environment and a strong interest in clinically relevant metabolic questions will also be considered positively.

About the employment: The employment is a temporary position, 6 months. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as soon as possible or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Maria J Pereira, maria.pereira@medsci.uu.se

Please submit your application by 19 June 2026, UFV-PA 2026/1970.