Postdoctoral position in experimental biomedical research - ,

The Department of Integrative Medical Biology hosts research mainly in the areas of neurobiology, myology, connective tissue and diabetes as well as endocytosis and exocytosis. The department belongs to the Faculty of Medicine at Umeå University.

We welcome applications for a postdoctoral researcher (100%) to our laboratory of experimental ophthalmology and musculoskeletal research at the Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University. The position is for two years, starting 1st of September 2022 or upon other agreement.

Description of the project

We are looking for an enterprising postdoc, with great bench-experience from experimental biomedical research, to perform studies on the pathophysiology of different conditions affecting epithelium and connective tissues, with emphasis on the cornea of the eye. Our research team focuses on mechanistic aspects of wound healing in epithelium and connective tissue, and of collagen scar formation, more particularly the role of the collagen producing cells. We aim at unravelling intra- and intercellular signalling pathways that may be targets for future drugs interfering with wound healing and scar forming processes, particularly in the cornea. The role of the collagen producing cells in wound healing is evaluated in vitro, in a three-dimensional cell culture model.

Work responsibilities

The role of the new postdoc in the project would be to lead experimental corneal research studies under the supervision of the group leader (the professor who is PI of this project) and the assistant group leader (assoc. prof.), as well as to support junior staff in adjoining projects (preferably studies on similar tissues within the musculoskeletal system). The position will include a lot of challenging bench-work, as well as independent work on project design and advanced data analysis. The research is performed in collaboration with clinical researchers at Ophthalmology at the University Hospital of Umeå, as well as with researchers at the Shandong Eye Institute, Quingdao, China.

Eligibility 

A person who has been awarded a doctorate, or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate, in medical/biomedical research or equivalent is eligible for appointment as postdoctoral researcher. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time at which the appointment decision is made.

The candidate must master scientific English and have good general communication skills in English (written and verbal).

Additional useful qualifications

Since appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is a career-development position for junior researchers, we are primarily addressing applicants who completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, an applicant who has completed their degree earlier than that may be considered. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, clinical practice, appointments of trust for a trade union organisation or other similar circumstances, and for relevant duties/assignments within the subject area.

We are looking for a talented and motivated candidate with a record of productive research, and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team. A strong background in molecular biology/biomedicine and/or bioengineering is highly desirable, in particular ample experience of molecular/biochemical laboratory techniques and experience from work on cell cultures of fibroblast-like cells. Experience of three-dimensional cell culture models are considered to be a very strong merit. 

The candidate’s collaborative skills and suitability for the project are especially considered in the assessment of the candidate's qualifications.

More information about the position

The appointment is a full-time, fixed-term position for two years in accordance with the terms of contract for fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher from 1 February 2022.

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

https://www.umu.se/en/research/projects/what-are-the-mechanisms-behind-scar-formation-and-degeneration-in-collagen-rich-tissues/

Application

The application must include:

• A brief description of your research interests and a statement describing why you are interested in the position.
• CV
• List of publications
• Degree certificate from doctoral studies and other relevant degrees
• Contact details of two reference persons

The application must be written in Swedish or English. The application must be made via our e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received latest 2022-03-30.

We look forward to receiving your application.