Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Computational Biology

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University has a broad research profile with strong research groups focused on cancer, genetic and autoimmune diseases. One of the core ideas at the department is to stimulate translational research and thereby promote closer collaboration between medical research and healthcare. Research is conducted within six research programs: cancer precision medicine, cancer immunotherapy, genomics and neurobiology, molecular tools and functional genomics, neuro-oncology and neurodegeneration, and vascular biology. Parts of the activities are also integrated with the departments of oncology, clinical genetics, clinical immunology, clinical pathology, and hospital physics at Uppsala University Hospital. The department has teaching assignments in several program educations, independent courses, and international master's programs within the medical faculty. The department has a turnover of approximately 550 million SEK, of which about two-thirds are external research grants. The number of employees is about 400, of which about 100 are doctoral students, and there are a total of over 850 active in the workforce. Please read more about the department's activities here: Department's website (http://www.uu.se/medarbetare/institution/immunologi-genetik-och-patologi).

About the position

The Xingqi Chen lab at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology is announcing a position as a postdoctoral research assistant/postdoc in computational biology. Our laboratory develops new single-cell and spatial biological techniques and applies them to clinically relevant human samples (Chen lab website (https://www.chenlabuppsala.com)). This position is fully funded by a grant from the European Research Council (ERC) and focuses on the development of a new computational analysis package for single-cell and spatial multiomics data.

Research scope

The successful candidate will play a leading role in the development of computational and statistical methods for single-cell RNA sequencing, single-cell ATAC sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and other high-dimensional spatial biological techniques. The research will be closely integrated with technology development and clinical applications, providing opportunities for impactful translational research.

Job description

• Lead and drive an ERC-funded research project
• Design, implement, and maintain a computational program for single-cell and spatial biology
• Develop robust and scalable computational and statistical methods for high-dimensional data analysis
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets derived from clinical samples
• Collaborate with experimental researchers, clinicians, and engineers
• Supervise and mentor doctoral and undergraduate students
• Publish research in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals and contribute to project reporting

What we offer

• ERC-funded stability: A well-supported postdoctoral position with secure funding
• Cutting-edge research: Method development at the forefront of single-cell and spatial biology
• Rich clinical data: Access to unique, large-scale single-cell and spatial datasets
• Strong computational infrastructure: High-performance computing resources and software support
• Career development: Active mentorship, publication support, and guidance towards independent funding
• Leadership opportunities: Mentoring students and ownership of a larger research project
• Competitive salary and benefits: In accordance with institutional and ERC guidelines

Qualifications

• PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, biomedical engineering, or a related quantitative discipline or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a PhD in the same. The degree must be completed by the time the employment decision is made. Primarily, candidates who have obtained their degree within the last three years should be considered. When calculating the three-year timeframe, the last application date is the starting point. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been obtained earlier. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, union duties, etc.
• Strong computational and programming skills (e.g., Python and/or R)
• Documented experience in data analysis of single cells and/or spatial omics
• Solid foundation in statistics and high-dimensional data analysis
• Evidence of research excellence through peer-reviewed publications
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Experience in developing and maintaining computational tools or software packages
• Familiarity with spatial biological techniques and workflows
• Experience working with clinical or translational datasets
• Previous experience in supervising or mentoring students

About the employment

The employment is fixed-term for 2 years according to the central collective agreement with the possibility of a 1-year extension. The position is full-time. Start date by agreement. Location: Uppsala

Inquiries about the position

Inquiries about the position can be made to: Xingqi Chen, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Welcome with your application no later than February 27, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/67

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 7,600 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 here (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/).

The employment may be subject to security clearance. In the case of security clearance, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), Seko - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), ST (OFR/S) - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])