Postdoctoral researcher in epidemiological studies

Do you want to investigate how disturbances in the gut microbiome can affect cardiovascular and metabolic health? We are now seeking 1-2 postdocs with documented experience in human gut microbiome epidemiology for the Molecular epidemiology research group.

The group's research investigates the causes and consequences of variation in the human gut microbiome by combining large population-based cohorts, molecular data, and epidemiological methods. The workplace is at EpiHubben, an interdisciplinary research environment that brings together researchers in epidemiology, statistics, genetics, omics, and population-based research. The working language is English.

The research group belongs to the Department of Medical Sciences, which is a large clinical institution with approximately 250 employees and over 900 people affiliated via Akademiska Sjukhuset. The department has a broad research profile with strong research groups in a range of areas. The research takes place in close connection to the clinical activities at Akademiska sjukhuset and includes both basic studies on disease causes as well as the development and evaluation of improved diagnostics and new treatment methods. More about the department's activities can be found at https://www.uu.se/institution/medicinska-vetenskaper/.

The postdoctoral researcher will work on projects investigating the consequences of gut microbiome disturbances for cardiovascular and metabolic health. The projects will primarily use large population-based cohorts with gut microbiome data linked to detailed phenotyping, longitudinal information on exposures, metabolomics, genetic data, and national health registers. Particular emphasis will be placed on longitudinal and causal epidemiological approaches to investigate whether changes in the gut microbiome contribute to changes in cardiometabolic risk factors and disease. Depending on the applicant's interest and competence, the work may include repeated microbiome measurements, genetic epidemiology, and Mendelian randomization.

Tasks The postdoctoral researcher will play a central role in planning, conducting, and publishing epidemiological studies of the gut microbiome and cardiometabolic health. Tasks include, among others:

• designing epidemiological studies of gut microbiome disturbances and cardiometabolic health
• analyzing large-scale cohort data that integrate microbiome data with clinical data, lifestyle data, metabolomics, genetic data, and register data
• applying longitudinal and causal epidemiological methods to strengthen causal interpretation
• leading the work with scientific manuscripts and presentations
• collaborating with epidemiologists, microbiologists, clinicians, geneticists, bioinformaticians, and other researchers in national and international collaborations

The position is suitable for researchers who already have established experience in human gut microbiome epidemiology and who are interested in using longitudinal, molecular, and genetically informed approaches to investigate the link between the gut microbiome and cardiometabolic health.

Qualification requirements A doctoral degree in epidemiology, microbiology, medicine, or a related field, where a significant part of the dissertation work has focused on the human gut microbiome in epidemiological studies. The degree must be obtained no later than when the employment decision is made. Primarily, the candidate should have obtained their degree no more than three years ago. When calculating the three-year period, the starting point is the application deadline. If there are special reasons, the degree may have been obtained earlier. Special reasons include, for example, leave due to illness, parental leave, or positions of trust within trade union organizations.

In addition, the following is required:

• documented research experience in independently analyzing gut microbiome data in population-based or clinical human studies
• documented research experience related to cardiometabolic health
• documented experience in integrating microbiome data with phenotypic, clinical, lifestyle, or register-based data
• very good statistical competence, preferably with experience in R
• at least one first-authored original article in human gut microbiome epidemiology
• very good communicative ability in speech and writing in English

Desirable/merit-based qualifications Experience in one or more of the following areas is meritorious:

• longitudinal or repeated microbiome measurements
• genetic epidemiology, GWAS, or Mendelian randomization
• metabolomics or integration of microbiome data with other omics data
• causal epidemiological methods
• epidemiological studies of antibiotics, drugs, or other factors affecting the gut microbiome
• national health registers or quality registers

About the employment The employment is fixed-term for two years according to the central collective agreement. The scope is full-time. Start date by agreement. Location: Uppsala. Information about the employment is provided by professor Tove Fall, tove.fall@medsci.uu.se. Please submit your application no later than October 21, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/3007

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,500 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces. Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University: https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ The employment may be subject to security clearance. In the case of security clearance, approval of the applicant is a prerequisite for employment. We decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance. Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system. Trade union representatives: Saco-S - saco-s@uu.se, Seko - seko@uadm.uu.se, ST (OFR/S) - ofr@uu.se