Umeå University | Three multidisciplinary postdoctoral scholarships

About us

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture. The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

The Integrated Science Lab (IceLab) (icelab.se), jointly with several departments at Umeå University, offers three postdoctoral scholarships. Applicants apply to one or more of the five proposed multidisciplinary projects, each project’s PIs select their top candidate, and an IceLab-internal committee selects the three most promising project–candidate pairs for funding.

Across the five projects, we seek candidates whose expertise falls within one or more of the following areas: computational and mathematical modeling, statistical modeling, machine learning, network science, bioinformatics, applied mathematics, biophysics, spectroscopy or microscopy, systems biology, theoretical and evolutionary biology, community ecology, ecological modeling, molecular biology, biochemistry, dynamical systems, and sports medicine or physiology. Further, postdocs should have a deep interest in scientific collaboration between researchers using theoretical and empirical approaches.

The five projects are:

A. Sensing the breaking point: Decoding the inputs to a cell wall integrity receptor in Chlorella vulgaris

B. Decoding the Hidden Logic of RNA Polymerase Allocation Under Stress

C. Adaptive immunity as an evolutionary response to unforeseen stress

D. Multitrophic interaction networks as drivers of competitor coexistence under global change

E. From training load to adaptation: Modeling of stress, resilience, and performance in elite female athletes

About the position

The under-explored terrain between traditional disciplines is full of fascinating and impactful research questions. At IceLab, we promote and facilitate transdisciplinary collaborations – with a focus on cutting-edge research that integrates theoretical, computational, and empirical approaches.

We will welcome you to IceLab with genuine support by creative researchers working on a panel of interdisciplinary problems. You will participate in both professionally and personally rewarding and entertaining activities aimed at training a new kind of researcher. A multidisciplinary team of researchers with complementary expertise will supervise each postdoc.

The two-year postdoc fellowships are financed by Kempestiftelserna and are part of the IceLab Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Program. A fellowship amounts to 720,000 SEK over two years and 75,000 SEK for research expenses. The scholarships are tax-free.

Application deadline: September 17, 2026. Start between January and April 2027 (exact start date according to agreement).

Formal qualifications

To qualify as a postdoctoral scholarship holder, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about scholarship recipient.

Priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior to the decision date for the scholarship recipient. 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.

Candidates should have experience in some of the following areas: data analytics, computational modeling, programming, mathematics, statistics, physics, molecular biology, microbiology, ecology, or systems biology – or an interest in gaining experience in these areas. Personal qualities such as collaboration, communication, strong drive and motivation, critical thinking abilities, creativity and analytical skills are essential. You should be able to take on the research independently and as part of a team. Good knowledge of oral and written English is required.

Application

A full application should include:

1. A cover letter clearly stating which project or projects you are particularly interested in and summarizing your qualifications, your scientific interests, and your motives for applying (max 2 pages),
2. A curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list,
3. Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,
4. Certified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
5. Copy of doctoral thesis, 
6. Copies of relevant publications,
7. Contact information for at least two reference persons,
8. Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.

The application should be written in English or Swedish, and attached documents should be in Word or PDF format. The application should be registered via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi and submitted by the deadline 17th of September 2026.

Application and more details: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/postdoctoral-scholarships/three-multidisciplinary-postdoctoral-scholarships-2-years-_950146/