Vacant job

The Faculty of Medicine is one of the largest faculties at Umeå University, attracting 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 Sweden Healthcare Region is seen as a great mutual asset for developing research and education and securing the supply of future healthcare personnel.

We are seeking a PhD student in medical science with a focus on molecular biology, interested in innate immunity, infection biology, and proteomics, to join the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University. The position is fixed-term for four years, starting in October 2026 or as agreed.

The PhD student will participate in activities within the Department of Molecular Biology, the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), and the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), enabling collaboration with researchers from various fields and with broad expertise.

Those employed as PhD students should primarily devote themselves to their own education. PhD students at the Faculty of Medicine participate in a faculty-wide doctoral education program. Information about the education can be found on the faculty's website for graduate education at www.umu.se/medicinsk-fakultet/utbildning/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/ (https://www.umu.se/medicinsk-fakultet/utbildning/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/).

Job Description

The PhD project aims to discover and study the function of new small proteins involved in innate immune responses and host-pathogen interactions. The project will involve a combination of computational and experimental methods, including mammalian tissue culture, genetic engineering, proteomics, and animal infection models.

Those employed as PhD students should primarily devote themselves to their own education. The project and research environment will provide the dedicated student with the opportunity to train as a world-class researcher.

Qualifications

Basic eligibility for graduate studies is held by those who have completed an advanced degree, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (HEC), of which at least 60 HEC at advanced level, or have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country. For this specific position, a minimum of 30 HEC in the main subject area of chemistry, including at least 7.5 HEC in biochemistry, is required. Additionally, 45 HEC in the main subject areas of biology or molecular biology, including at least 7.5 HEC in genetics and 22.5 HEC in microbiology, physiology, and cell and molecular biology, are required. Furthermore, 45 HEC at advanced level within the subject area of cell and molecular biology, including an independent project of at least 15 HEC, are required.

You must be proficient in both oral and written communication in English.

Requirements

You should have experience working with mammalian tissue cells and proteomics. Additionally, a license and experience with animal work are desirable.

You must be highly motivated, demonstrate good communication skills with group leaders and colleagues, and have the ability to collaborate effectively and work productively in a team as well as independently. Great importance will be attached to personal suitability.

As an employee here, you contribute to promoting an inclusive culture and a positive work environment. This means you communicate effectively across differences, show willingness to cooperate, and ability to collaborate. You maintain openness and a welcoming attitude, and show respect, compassion, and empathy. You engage with and support colleagues from different backgrounds and with different perspectives, and promote a healthy work-life balance for yourself and others.

Assessment Criteria

The assessment of the ability and potential to benefit from the education is based primarily on:

• Knowledge and skills relevant to PhD studies in the research area.
• The ability to formulate and solve scientific questions.
• Skills in written and oral communication in English.
• Other experiences relevant to doctoral education, e.g., professional experience.

Good teamwork skills, drive, and the ability to work independently are considered positive merits.

A selection will be made among eligible applicants based on their merits and assessed potential to benefit from graduate studies.

After the selection process, the admission process for doctoral education begins.

Decisions on admission are made by the faculty's director of studies.

About the Position

The position aims at a doctoral degree and is fixed-term for four years full-time. If part-time teaching (max 20%) can be offered, the employment period is extended.

Start date in October 2026 or as agreed.

Salary placement is according to the established salary scale for PhD positions. According to the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 12, Section 2), the decision on employment cannot be appealed.

Application

You apply through our recruitment system by July 8, 2026. Your application must include the following documents written in English (preferred) or Swedish:

• A CV with information about education, a list of previous and current employment, and a list of publications.
• Copies of degree certificates.
• A cover letter describing research experience and interests, and motivation for applying for the PhD position.
• Contact details for two to three references.

For questions about the position, contact Iker Aramburu at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).