Vacant job

Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest higher education institutions, with over 41,500 students and approximately 4,600 employees. 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 created.

IceLab and the Department of Computer Science

Umeå University’s interdisciplinary research environment, IceLab (Integrated Science Lab, www.icelab.se), has been awarded funding by the Swedish Research Council to establish an excellence center: The Center for Modeling of Adaptive Mechanisms in Living Systems under Stress.

We are now offering a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor in Machine Learning at the Department of Computer Science. The position offers the opportunity to establish your research group and build an independent research profile aligned with the center’s theme. Join our supportive environment and work at the forefront of interdisciplinary research. We integrate mathematical modeling and data-driven science with a range of disciplines, including ecology, plant physiology, and molecular biology. We value diverse perspectives and a collaborative approach, offering mentorship and dedicated support to help you build your independent research program. Your research will deepen our understanding of how living systems respond to environmental changes and stress.

The position includes a recruitment package. We welcome interested candidates to apply by August 10, 2026, to become part of IceLab and the Department of Computer Science. Read more about IceLab and the Department of Computer Science (#).

Responsibilities

The tenure-track appointment provides six years to build a competitive research profile and research group, with 75% research and 25% teaching or other merit-earning activities. At the end of the period, you may apply for promotion to Associate Professor (see below).

The successful candidate will gain pedagogical merit through supervising doctoral students and postdocs, as well as teaching at undergraduate and advanced levels. Teaching will primarily focus on developing and delivering courses in machine learning and AI in collaboration with other faculty, as well as supervising thesis projects. The successful candidate may also teach introductory courses in computer science. We expect the successful candidate to actively seek external funding to finance their research and contribute to the department and the broader academic community by participating in working groups and engaging with the surrounding society.

Qualifications

To be eligible for appointment as an Assistant Professor, one must hold a PhD or equivalent scientific competence. Preference is given to those who have obtained a PhD or equivalent competence no more than seven years prior to the application date.

Candidates who obtained their PhD or equivalent competence earlier may also be considered if there are special reasons, such as leave due to illness, parental leave, or other similar circumstances.

The applicant must have experience conducting independent research in machine learning.

Evaluation Criteria

The primary criterion for appointment as an Assistant Professor is the degree of scientific competence required for eligibility.

Additionally, the degree of pedagogical competence, as well as administrative and other relevant skills, will be considered in light of the subject matter and duties of the position.

For a description of the evaluation criteria, see the full advertisement on Vacancies at Umeå University (#).

Other Information

We offer a range of employee benefits that promote a good work-life balance and provide excellent development opportunities. Read more about benefits here (#).

The position is part of a larger strategic initiative focused on how living systems respond to environmental changes or external stress. The work will primarily be conducted at IceLab, where the successful candidate is expected to contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations and strengthen the ties between IceLab and the Department of Computer Science by engaging with the department’s existing research groups.

Application

Instructions for applying can be found in the full advertisement on Vacancies at Umeå University (#).

Applications must be submitted via the e-recruitment system Varbi and received no later than 2026-08-10.

Review for Promotion to Associate Professor

An Assistant Professor shall, upon application, be promoted to Associate Professor if they are eligible for an appointment as an Associate Professor and, upon review, are assessed to meet the requirements for such an appointment, according to the evaluation criteria applied for promotion to Associate Professor. Such promotion entails a permanent appointment as an Associate Professor.

The application for review for promotion must be submitted six months before the fixed-term appointment ends. If an Assistant Professor is not promoted after review, the fixed-term appointment will end.

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