Open Positions

Postdoctoral position in nutritional breath metabolomics

100%, Zurich/Bern, fixed term

We seek to fill one postdoctoral position as part of a project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Vontobel Foundation that focuses on online exhaled breath analysis and nutrition. The primary scientific goal of the Lactobreath project is to utilize metabolomics technologies to identify and measure metabolites associated with lactose metabolism found in exhaled breath. The project will be conducted in collaboration with Agroscope (Liebefeld Campus), University Hospital Zurich, and the Swiss Allergy Centre (aha!). The position will last for one year, with an anticipated start date either immediately or upon mutual agreement.

Project Background

Food intolerances are a significant cause of functional gastrointestinal disorders. While dietary intervention can help manage these conditions, accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. This interdisciplinary project will investigate the molecular composition of human exhaled breath as a potential source of biomarkers that indicate the clinical traits associated with lactose malabsorption (LM) (Lactobreath profiles), serving as proof of concept for the future application of this technology in diagnosing food intolerance. The identified breath biomarkers will be analyzed in relation to lactose malabsorption symptoms, typical diet, and clinical traits associated with lactose malabsorption, including genetic polymorphisms that regulate the lactase gene expression, breath hydrogen, and lactose-derived urinary metabolites. Lactobreath profiles will be mechanistically linked with metabolic traits associated with lactose malabsorption, including gut microbiota, colonic gases, and the urine metabolome.

Job description

You are expected to conduct interdisciplinary research in human nutrition. The job duties include:

• Assist in the analysis of metagenomic data obtained from stool samples collected during the nutritional intervention study.
• Support the analysis and interpretation of metabolomic data from breath and urine samples.
• Conduct statistical analyses of the acquired datasets.
• Contribute to the publication and presentation of research findings.
• Assist in the supervision of Ph.D. students.

Prerequisites: PhD. degree in microbiology/bioinformatics or nutrition (essential), experience with metagenomics (desirable), bioinformatics (experience using R or Python), multi-omics, and biochemistry. Communication capability in English is a must.

Please send your CV, publication list, PhD award, a statement (up to 1,000 words) describing your motivation, experience, and planned contributions to the position, and the contact details of two referees to Dr. Stamatios Giannoukos ()  and/or Dr. Kathryn Pimentel ().