Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace

The Faculty of Medicine, which consists of 13 departments, is responsible for biomedical research and courses in the field of nursing and health care and has an extensive research and graduate education in more than 80 subjects.

The Department of Radiation Sciences is looking for a postdoctoral scientist for a project on perinatal epigenetic modulation of gene expression by daylight length. The employment is limited to two years full-time with entry ideally on 1 August 2023 or by agreement.

The host laboratory for Nordic Daylight Research is closely collaborating with the Northpop birth cohort, and scientists from the Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, building synergies for excellent research opportunities. We are an interdisciplinary team of field scientists, experimentalists, clinicians and students working on questions about early environmental exposures and child development. We run a systematic data collection pipeline for sleep/activity and light exposure in 3-year old children from which this project benefits in terms of recruitment and data sharing.

Duties
We are looking for a postdoctoral scientist who is qualified to contribute their special expertise in analytical biochemistry and biostatistics. We seek to map environmental light doses across day-night phases that make large contributions to photoperiodic pupil sensitivity and differential RNA expression levels. The work shall address sleep and affective susceptibilities to better understand the aetiology of affective disorders. The tasks include:

  • Hair follicle / oral mucosa collection and behavioural and pupil assessment in children  
  • Gene expression assays, real-time RT-PCR, optimisation and validation of assays
  • Possibility to examine blood epigenetic assays
  • Designing computational modelling of time-sensitive data
  • Operating pupil measurements, actigraphic data and parental questionnaires
  • Organising logistics with parents for repeated data collection in children.
  • Seeking ethical approval and adhering to accepted ethical standards in research

Qualification requirements
A person who has completed a doctoral degree or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time at which the appointment decision is made. Since appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is a career-development position for junior researchers, we are primarily interested in applicants who completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline, unless there are special reasons (for example parental leave).

The doctoral degree must be trained in a biochemistry, molecular biology or related field of life science and has acquired biostatistical skills. Requirements include relevant research results, as evidenced by first authorship of publication that present ground-breaking research results or innovative data-driven methods. Further requirements are:

  • Competence in gene expression assays, real-time RT-PCR
  • Proficient in computational modelling, circular data statistics, nested design and inverse probability weighting methods
  • Proven experience and competence in human research, including interpersonal communication with young children
  • Proficient in Swedish and English
  • Strong follow through skills and ability to proactively identify and solve problems; demonstrated initiative is imperative

Additional desirables requirements 
Interest in subarctic climate and mental health Knowledge of molecular chrono-medicine Strong technical skills with great attention to detail Proficiency in a programming language 

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 september 2023 or by agreement.

More information about the groups’ research can be found on our websites:

https://www.umu.se/en/staff/katharina-wulff/

http://www.katlab.org/

https://www.northpop.se/en/home-2/

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 English. The application must be made via our e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received by 14 August 2023.   

Other information 

For additional information about the position, please contact Katharina Wulff, katharina.wulff@umu.se

We look forward to receiving your application.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment enligt överenskommelse
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-985-23
Contact
  • Katarina Wulff, katharina.wulff@umu.se
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-7865365
  • SEKO, 090-7865296
  • ST, 090-7865431
Published 24.May.2023
Last application date 14.Aug.2023 11:59 PM CEST

Return to job vacancies