Environment: The postdoc will join the group of Dr. Barbara Sixt, a well-funded and highly international research team. The lab is based at Umeå University (UmU) in northern Sweden and is affiliated with the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS; which is a part of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine), as well as the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). These affiliations provide a stimulating and highly collaborative research environment with excellent access to state of the art facilities, training opportunities, and networking activities. Umeå University also has a strong postdoc community (Umeå Postdoc Society). Umeå itself is a vibrant university city known for its rich cultural life, strong academic community, and exceptional access to nature. It is widely recognized as an especially welcoming environment for international researchers.

Project: Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is a leading cause of urogenital and ocular infections worldwide. Its success as a pathogen hinges on its highly specialized developmental cycle and its obligate intracellular lifestyle that depends on precise modulation of host cell pathways. A key knowledge gap concerns how Ct protects its intracellular niche from xenophagy, a major cell-autonomous defense mechanism that targets intracellular pathogens for degradation. This project aims to uncover the molecular strategies Ct uses to evade xenophagic responses. Building on a strong set of unpublished findings from our laboratory, the postdoc will investigate the bacterial effectors and host factors involved, dissect their mechanisms of action, and determine how this interplay shapes infection outcomes. Ultimately, the insights gained are expected to lay the groundwork for innovative therapeutic approaches that enhance host defense pathways to control or eliminate Ct infection.

Responsibilities

• Designing and performing experiments
• Data analysis and manuscript preparation
• Presentation of results internally and externally
• Collaboration with other scientists
• Mentoring junior lab members

Eligibility: To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the candidate is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree in the subject areas of molecular biology, cell biology, infection biology, or a closely related field. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no earlier than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area. These special reasons need to be clearly stated in the application.

Qualifications: Applicants must have documented research experience in molecular genetic approaches, fluorescence microscopy, mammalian cell culture, and intracellular infection models. Experience in the mechanistic dissection of host-pathogen interactions, including the use of genetic screening approaches, is highly desirable. Prior research experience in the fields of autophagy or cell-autonomous immunity will be considered an advantage. Candidates should be passionate about scientific discovery, motivated to tackle challenging research questions, and committed to conducting high quality research. They are expected to be proficient in written and spoken English, to work effectively within an interactive and collaborative team, to contribute to mentoring junior researchers, and to demonstrate the ability to independently develop and drive a research project.

Project duration: This is a 2-year postdoctoral employment at Umeå University, supported by funding from the Swedish Research Council, with the possibility of prolongation depending on satisfactory performance.

Application procedure: A full application should include:

• Cover letter describing the applicant’s research experience and interests and motivation for applying for the position.

• Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list (including a brief description of the applicant’s contribution to each publication).

• Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained.

• Contact information (including name, email address, and professional relationship to applicant) of two to three persons willing to act as references.

The application must be written in English (preferred) or Swedish. The application is made through Umeå University’s electronic recruitment system: Link to Application

Questions can be directed to Dr. Barbara Sixt (barbara.sixt@umu.se).

Timeline: Application review will begin immediately and continue on a rolling basis. For full consideration, please submit your application by March 31, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.