Researcher in Molecular Parasitology Full-time

Researcher in Molecular Parasitology

Are you interested in working with molecular parasitology, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a researcher position at Uppsala University. The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology is organized into seven research programmes which all focus on different areas of cell and molecular biology: Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biophysics, Molecular Evolution, Molecular Systems Biology and Structural Biology. The scientific basis of what we do lies in biology, but our research overlaps with other areas such as medicine, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, engineering sciences and physics. In total, we are over 200 staff and ~60 Ph.D. students. The position is in Staffan Svärd's group within the Microbiology and Immunology program.

Duties: The overall goal of our research is to elucidate the interaction between invading parasites and host cells in the intestinal mucosa during infectious intestinal disease. The focus is on virulence factors and disease mechanisms of relevance to a physiological course of infection. The current project involves the development of advanced genetic methodology for manipulation and study of sexual processes in the intestinal protozoan Giardia intestinalis during interaction with human host cells and during the differentiation processes. The project includes work with the methods quantitative RT-PCR, nanopore sequencing, microscopy and cell sorting, mutagenesis, and biochemical characterization of enzymes involved in meiosis.

Requirements: Doctoral degree and postdoctoral experience in the fields of microbiology and molecular parasitology. Documented solid experience of working with microorganisms belonging to “Biosafety Level 2”, specifically Giardia intestinalis. We see that the candidate has a strong background in work with differentiation of Giardia, transfection of clinical Giardia isolates and methylation studies in Giardia. The candidate is expected to be motivated and have a great interest in parasitological method development. Very good knowledge of English, both written and oral, is a prerequisite. We place great importance on personal suitability.

Additional qualifications: Knowledge of CRISPR mutagenesis in Giardia is desirable.

About the employment: The employment is a temporary position, 6 months. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date September 1st or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Staffan Svärd, 070-425 05 94, staffan.svard@icm.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 3 June 2026, UFV-PA 2026/1722.