Professor (Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis)
CALL FOR COMPETITION FOR A POSITION
Professor (Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis)
Life Sciences Centre, Institute of Biochemistry.
The date of the call for the competition: 7 January 2026.
Deadline for document submission: 6 February 2026 (local time zone UTC+2).
Professor at Vilnius University is a recognised leader in their field of research and studies in Lithuania; it is the highest teaching position at the University. The professor’s responsibilities include research and development activities as well as disseminating their results at national and international levels, research-based studies, contributing to the training of researchers and lecturers, providing expert recommendations, carrying out educational activities, educating society and/or disseminating achievements .
Description and responsibilities of the position:
It is expected that the Professor will independently (and/or in collaboration with other researchers) initiate and conduct high-quality national and international research in the field of the microbiota–gut–brain axis and publish the results of their research in internationally recognised peer-reviewed scientific journals. They will seek to attract external funding for study and/or research activities, submit applications for research funding, and implement funded projects. They will establish and lead an interdisciplinary research group conducting research on the microbiota–gut–brain axis, focusing on the biological mechanisms of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, including studies of gut microbiota, microglial cells, and functional food interventions in preclinical models. They will develop translational research integrating preclinical animal models, analysis of human biological samples, and clinical research components. They will teach students in Lithuanian and English the following subjects: Laboratory Animal Science; Microbiota Research: Impact on Human Health and Disease Development; Fundamentals of Functional Foods and Fermentation; Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis; Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis Research; and Neurobiology and prepare methodological study materials. They will supervise students’ final theses, doctoral dissertations, and postdoctoral interns. As an expert in their field, they will provide insights and recommendations to the public when necessary. They will foster professional relations with colleagues abroad, actively participate in national and international associations in their field, and promote studies in biochemistry, neurobiology, and microbiota–gut–brain axis research. They will implement other functions assigned to Professor related to studies, research, methodological, and organisational activity, as provided for in the legal acts of Vilnius University.
Required qualifications:
Doctoral degree in biomedical sciences or biochemistry.
Supervision of a doctoral student and/or postdoctoral intern.
Ability to teach in Lithuanian and English.
Internationally recognised research experience in the field of the microbiota–gut–brain axis, demonstrated by publications in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Experience in preparing and implementing national and international research projects.
Ability to establish and lead a research group and coordinate interdisciplinary research.
Description of Mandatory Competences for the Career Stages of Researchers at Higher Education and Research Institutions HERE.
Description of other required qualifications is available HERE.
In case the candidates are of equal standing, the following will be considered an advantage:
experience in leading national and international research projects; experience in supervising doctoral and postdoctoral research; experience in commercialisation of research results, including patents and/or patent applications; experience in conducting R&D contracts with Lithuanian business entities.
The selection of candidates will be held on the basis of qualitative expert evaluation and, when necessary, in other ways. A more detailed description of the procedure for holding recruiting competitions is available HERE.
Start of work: 1 September 2026, the contest is held for a five-year term of office.
Workload: Part-time position (0.5 FTE).
Official monthly salary (gross): EUR 2120.00 (before tax).
Candidates shall submit the following documents:
Description of academic activities in English together with a list of publications (when completing the Pedagogical Competencies section, please refer to the Guidelines for Evaluating the Pedagogical Competencies. When completing the Activity Plan section, please prepare an activity plan that would be aligned with the priorities of the Vilnius University Strategic Plan and the action plan of the Life Sciences Center).
Curriculum Vitae.
Certified copies of qualification documents and diplomas (not applicable to current Vilnius University employees).
All documents shall be submitted to , with ‘Professor (Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis)’ in the subject line.