Postdoctoral Position at the Centre of Chemical Mechanisms of Life at Uppsala University

The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (https://www.uu.se/institution/medicinsk-biokemi-och-mikrobiologi (https://www.uu.se/institution/medicinsk-biokemi-och-mikrobiologi)) at Uppsala University conducts research and education in biochemistry, biophysics, cell and molecular biology, tumor biology, comparative genetics, functional genomics, immunology, bacteriology, and virology. The department is located at the Biomedical Centre (BMC) in Uppsala and offers strong research environments in spectroscopy, biophysics, structural biology, and analytical and organic chemistry. The international working environment is characterized by close collaborations between different disciplines, and English is a primary working language.

The "Chemical Mechanisms of Life" (https://www.uu.se/forskning/starka-forskningsmiljoer/excellenscenter/centrum-for-livets-kemiska-mekanismer (https://www.uu.se/forskning/starka-forskningsmiljoer/excellenscenter/centrum-for-livets-kemiska-mekanismer)) is a new Centre of Excellence funded by the Swedish Research Council. It promotes interdisciplinary collaboration in education, research, and outreach with its base at the Department of Chemistry – BMC and Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology at Uppsala University. The centre is led by four research leaders; Lanekoff, Erdélyi, Petzold, and Westenhoff, and is expected to expand into a large consortium with guest researchers, interdisciplinary interactions among researchers, summer/winter schools, seminar series, teaching activities, and more. The overarching goal of the centre is to provide an in-depth understanding of the chemical mechanisms that are essential for sustaining life by promoting interaction among commonly defined disciplines.

We are now seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher for research projects in RNA biophysics and structural biology under biologically relevant conditions. The position focuses on the analysis of RNA dynamics using NMR, RNA probing, and other biophysical methods. The postdoc will work in the Petzold group (https://www.uu.se/institution/medicinsk-biokemi-och-mikrobiologi/forskning/petzold-katja (https://www.uu.se/institution/medicinsk-biokemi-och-mikrobiologi/forskning/petzold-katja) or https://petzoldlab.com/ (https://petzoldlab.com/)) and engage in collaborative projects within the Centre of Excellence.

The research projects involve RNA regulation, including viral RNA, ribosomal RNA, and microRNA. Successful candidates will have a background in biochemistry/biophysics or related fields and experience with, for example, NMR, RNA probing, or computational methods such as bioinformatics or machine learning. In addition to working in the research group, there is an opportunity to actively influence and shape interdisciplinary projects within the centre.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will conduct high-quality research and contribute to the development of the centre by being a central link between research groups and participating in activities such as research meetings and seminar series. The candidate will utilize advanced methods and instrumentation with the goal of identifying the chemical mechanisms of life. The postdoc will also collaborate with PhD students, undergraduates, and researchers in the four groups and the centre in an interdisciplinary environment, as well as write publications, grant applications, and participate in outreach.

Qualifications

A PhD in natural sciences or engineering or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to such a doctorate. The degree must have been obtained by the start of the employment. Priority will be given to those who have obtained their doctorate no more than three years before the application deadline. In calculating the three-year limit, the application deadline is the reference point. If there are special reasons, the degree may have been obtained earlier, for example, due to illness, parental leave, or union duties. The successful candidate has experience in RNA biophysics, biochemistry, and/or NMR.

Great importance will be attached to personal qualities such as good collaboration skills, motivation, and independence, as well as how the applicant, through their experience and competence, is assessed to have the abilities required to develop within the project.

Desirable/meritorious

Experience in RNA sample preparation, cell handling, data management, statistics, programming, pathway analysis, and scientific writing is meritorious. Results from IELTS or TOEFL are desirable but not mandatory at the time of application.

About the employment

The position is temporary for 2 years according to the central collective agreement. The extent is full-time. Start date 2026-03-01 or by agreement. Location: Uppsala

For inquiries about the position, please contact: Professor Katja Petzold, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), Administrative questions: Saskia Rughoft, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Welcome with your application by February 23, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/292.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international standing. 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 most exciting workplaces in the country.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

The employment may be subject to security clearance. A prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved during the security clearance.

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])