Vacant job

Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest higher education institutions, with over 41,500 students and approximately 4,600 employees. The university offers a diverse range of high-quality education and world-leading research across several scientific fields, including the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editor, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, collaborate, and exchange knowledge, fostering a dynamic and open culture.

The societal transformation and major green investments we see in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, this means conducting research on – and within – a society in transition. It also means delivering education for regions that need to expand rapidly and sustainably. Simply put, this is where the future is being created.

Interested in learning more? Read more about Umeå University as an employer.

The Faculty of Medicine is one of the largest faculties at Umeå University and attracts many students with a comprehensive range of programs in medicine, dentistry, health, and care. We offer a well-developed research infrastructure and an inspiring, dynamic environment with leading research. Our close collaboration with the four regions in the Northern Healthcare Region is seen as a significant mutual asset for developing research and education and securing the supply of future healthcare personnel.

Project Description

The project aims to achieve a mechanistic understanding of how viruses create small membrane-bound compartments within host cells to replicate their genomes. Such viral replication organelles are crucial in the infection process of both flaviviruses and alphaviruses. The focus here is on investigating how specific lipids and membrane properties contribute to the formation of these replication organelles. The work takes place in a scientific environment that includes several research groups with extensive experience in virology, biochemistry, structural biology, cell biology, and imaging. Both the Umeå Core facility for electron microscopy (http://www.kbc.umu.se/english/ucem/) and the Biochemical Imaging Centre at Umeå University (http://www.kbc.umu.se/english/bicu/), as well as other UmU facilities, will be available as part of this project. For more information, see (https://lundmark-lab.se/)

Responsibilities

• Cultivation and analysis of cell models for infection
• Design and development of infection models for flaviviruses and alphaviruses
• Generation and analysis of reconstituted membrane model systems
• Lipid and protein biochemistry
• Advanced fluorescence microscopy of live cells, including TIRF and SIM
• Design and establishment of analysis workflows for image analysis
• Correlative light and electron microscopy analysis

Qualifications

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, one must have completed a PhD, or a foreign degree assessed as equivalent to a PhD, in cell biology or virology. This qualification requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.

Applicants should have extensive practical experience in real-time fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis. Furthermore, applicants should have practical experience in cloning, protein and lipid biochemistry, and work with viruses. Applicants must demonstrate good proficiency in both written and spoken English and be able to conduct independent scientific work and write scientific papers.

Merits

Since employment as a postdoctoral researcher constitutes a qualifying position for junior researchers, we primarily target those who have obtained their PhD no more than three years from the final application date. In cases of special circumstances, those who obtained their PhD earlier may also be considered. Special circumstances include leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical service, trust-based positions within trade unions or other similar circumstances, as well as service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

It is advantageous if the applicant has a background in work with lipid membranes, membrane-associated proteins, or membrane remodeling processes. Experience with electron microscopy is also considered a merit. In the selection process, weight will also be placed on genuine enthusiasm for the research field and methodology, personal suitability, organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate with other laboratory members, facility staff, and users.

More about the position

The position is a fixed-term full-time employment for two years, according to the terms of the agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher. A prerequisite for the application of the agreement is that the employee has not previously been employed as a postdoctoral researcher under the agreement for more than one year within the same or closely related subject area with the same employer.

More information about the group's research can be found on our websites:

https://www.umu.se/en/staff/richard-lundmark/?flik=presentation

https://www.lundmark-lab.se/

Application

The application should include:

• A short description of research interests and motivation for why you are interested in the position.
• CV
• Publication list
• Diploma from doctoral studies and other relevant degrees
• Contact information for two reference persons

The application should be written in Swedish or English. The application must be submitted via our e-recruitment system Varbi and received no later than August 1, 2026.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Umeå University aims to offer an equal and equitable environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lays the foundation for learning, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current position.

To staffing and recruitment agencies and to you who are salespeople: We kindly but firmly decline direct contact with staffing and recruitment agencies as well as salespeople of additional job advertisements.

Open to all
We focus on your competence, not your other prerequisites. We are open to adapting the role or workplace to your needs.