We invite applications for two fully funded, two-year postdoctoral projects in Intracellular Host-Pathogen Interactions with a focus on the obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis and either host cell-autonomous immunity or advanced culture models.

ENVIRONMENT
The postdocs will join the group of Dr. Barbara Sixt (Sixt Lab), a highly international research team that is currently expanding due to recently granted funding from the European Research Council (ERC), the Swedish Research Council, and the Kempe Foundations. The lab is based at Umeå University 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.

PROJECTS
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.

Project 1: This project aims to uncover the molecular strategies Ct uses to evade xenophagic responses. The postdoc will investigate the bacterial effectors and host factors involved, dissect their mechanisms of action, and determine how this interplay shapes infection outcomes.

Project 2: This project aims to establish advanced culture models – including 3D cultures, co-cultivation with microbiota, and controlled variation of nutrient availability, pH, and oxygen levels – to determine how microenvironmental factors shape Ct growth, host responses, and Ct’s susceptibility to host cell defenses and antibiotics.

Ultimately, the insights gained through this research are expected to lay the groundwork for more sustainable therapeutic approaches that control or eliminate Ct infection.

ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must hold a university degree equivalent to a European PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, infection biology, or a closely related field at the time of the appointment decision. Preference will be given to applicants who obtained their degree no more than three years before the day of the appointment decision, unless special circumstances apply.

QUALIFICATIONS
General: Applicants must have documented research experience in molecular genetic approaches, fluorescence microscopy, mammalian cell culture, and intracellular infection models. 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 team, to contribute to the mentoring of junior researchers, and to demonstrate the ability to independently develop and drive a research project.

Project 1: 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.

Project 2: Experience with advanced cell culture systems – such as 3D cultures or organoids – is highly desirable. Prior experience in proteomics is also considered a strong asset, as the project includes collaborative proteomics analyses.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please note that the application procedures differ between the two postdoc projects. More information about the application procedures is provided here: https://sixtlab.org/postdoc-and-phd-projects/

The application deadline is 31 March 2026, and the anticipated starting date is 1 May 2026, or as agreed.

For more information, please contact Barbara Sixt (email: mailto:barbara.sixt@umu.se)

We look forward to receiving your application!