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 gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9, 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 quickly and sustainably. Simply put, this is where the future is being created.

Are you interested in learning more? Read more about Umeå University as an employer.

Humlab is a work unit and research infrastructure with about twenty employees at the Faculty of Humanities. Humlab's mission is to initiate, inspire, and develop the interaction between the humanities, culture, and information technology. Humlab's premises are located in two buildings on campus: the Humanisthuset and the Samhällsvetarhuset under the University Library, where Humlab's lab environment is also located. In this environment, lectures, workshops, and other events are offered for researchers, students, and the general public.

Project Name: Lohkanlihkku (Reading Joy), a web-based game designed to strengthen reading skills in five different Sami languages. The game has been developed by our partners at the Universities of Jyväskylä and Rovaniemi, as well as the Sámi University of Applied Sciences in Kautokeino. Read more here: https://www.umu.se/forskning/projekt/lohkanlihkku/ (https://www.umu.se/forskning/projekt/lohkanlihkku/) and https://ulapland.fi/en/project/lohkanlihkku/lohkanlihkku-in-english/ (https://ulapland.fi/en/project/lohkanlihkku/lohkanlihkku-in-english/)

Humlab is now looking to recruit a Project Assistant with a focus on graphic design for this project, which is funded by Interreg Aurora and Västerbotten County.

Description of Duties:

The main tasks involve focusing on graphic design and the implementation of educational games, including the implementation of game characters in a cartoon/gamified style.

A goal of the project is to develop a game with strong roots in Sami cultural and linguistic contexts to create culturally relevant educational resources. Therefore, we place great emphasis on Sami cultural competence in the recruitment process.

Experience using the Unity game engine, Blender, and previous experience with published games is meritorious.

The duties may change over time.

Competence Requirements:

Eligible for employment as a Project Assistant with a focus on graphic design is someone who has:

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in digital media production, digital media design, interaction design, game design, game education, or equivalent
• Sami cultural competence
• Good collaboration and initiative skills
• Good ability and experience in reading, writing, and communicating in Swedish and English

Other Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with 3D modeling, animation, rigging, and texturing for Unity
• Experience with Vector graphics (SVG)
• Experience in game development
• Experience working in large collaborative projects

Application

The application must include:

(1) A cover letter where you motivate your interest in the position, outline your qualifications, and explain how they are relevant to the duties (1-2 pages)

(2) A Curriculum Vitae (CV)

(3) Relevant grades and certificates supporting the information in the CV

(4) A portfolio with examples of published works/completed projects

Applications must be submitted via the e-recruitment system Varbi and received no later than 2026-06-11.

Additional Information

The position is fixed-term at 50% with immediate effect or as agreed, for a maximum of 360 days.

For further information about the position, please contact: Coppélie Cocq, Humlab, +46 (0)90-786 54 82.

For further information about the recruitment process and application, please contact: Anneli Taflin, HR Coordinator, +46 (0)90-786 83 31.

For information:

Humlab: https://www.umu.se/humlab (https://www.umu.se/humlab)

Welcome to apply!

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 salespeople: We kindly but firmly decline direct contact from staffing and recruitment agencies as well as sellers of additional job advertisements.