Associate professor in computational biology

The Department of Molecular Biology is looking for a associate professor in the field of computational biology. The position includes teaching bioinformatics to students in biotechnology, life sciences, molecular biology and biomedicine. In addition, it includes supervising research and contributing to development projects. Establishing a research program in translational computational biology with a focus on developing new and scalable computational models (e.g. deep learning, machine learning, optimization or statistics) or integrating data-driven applications to address important biological questions, which have positive consequences in line with the UN 2030 Agenda, is also part of the assignment, in addition to their teaching responsibilities.

The deadline for application submission is 2025-05-27.

Duties

Duties include teaching and research in the field of computational biology.

To be considered for the position, the candidate is expected to:

• Have a key role in teaching and ensuring the quality of both theoretical and project-based bioinformatics courses in biotechnology, life sciences, molecular biology and biomedicine. Your duties will include supervising and evaluating degree projects and participating in teaching and development work at both basic and advanced levels.
• Actively contribute to the creation of a new two-year international Master's program in Bioinformatics and also to the improvement of an existing five-year Master's program in Biotechnology with a bioinformatics focus. By participating in this work and by implementing effective and engaging teaching methods, the candidate is expected to help better prepare our students for careers in industry, academia and healthcare.
• Contribute to the development of the department, inspire students and positively influence the strategic leadership and management of our teaching activities.
• Have expertise in computer science or mathematics, with experience in developing novel and scalable computational models (e.g. deep learning, machine learning, optimization or statistics) or in integrating data-driven applications to address important biological questions. Research questions should aim at refining fundamental biological concepts related to cellular, molecular or genetic processes, as well as molecular interactions within the cell and the influence of environmental factors. The results should generate new theories that contribute to the UN 2030 global agenda and the global scientific community.
• Conduct independent research and research education in any area of computational biology, such as systems biology, protein structure, metabolomics, quantitative genetics for complex phenotypes, single-cell and spatial omics modeling, functional and epigenomics, multi-omics integration, prediction of gene function, and the like.
• Contribute to strengthening the University's expertise in computational biology, increasing the potential for generating new knowledge in biotechnology, life sciences, molecular biology and biomedicine.
• A significant proportion of the tasks require Swedish as the language of communication. Non-Swedish speaking holders are expected to learn to communicate in spoken and written Swedish within a three-year period.

Individuals encouraged to apply for the position include both those focusing solely on computational work and those combining computational and experimental methods.

Promoting a good working culture is important to us and the holder of this associate professor position is expected to cooperate well at all levels and show good collegiality.

Eligibility requirements

According to Chapter 4, Section 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance, a person shall be qualified for appointment as Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor if he or she within an area has demonstrated educational expertise and holds a doctorate or has attained equivalent academic competence or other professional skills relevant with regard to the subject area of the appointment.

Proven experience in teaching computational biology at both basic and advanced level is required.

The ability to teach in English is required.

Research activities in the field of computational biology are required.

Assessment criteria and their weight

The assessment criteria for appointment as an associate professor/senior lecturer shall be the degree of the expertise required as a qualification for employment. As much attention shall be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of scientific expertise.

When selecting candidates for the position, the following weighting of the respective skills shall apply: 
scientific expertise 40%, pedagogical expertise 40%, administrative expertise and expertise in managing and developing activities and staff 20%. In addition, the extent to which the candidate can demonstrate interactions with the surrounding society and to inform about research and development work shall be considered.

Scientific expertise

Scientific expertise shall be demonstrated through independent scientific productivity. The criteria for assessment are:

• breadth and depth of research – quality and scope
• originality of research
• productivity
• contributions to the international research community
• assignments within the research community
• the ability to competitively obtain external research funding
• collaboration with the surrounding society

Particularly advantageous

• Experience in creating new and scalable computational models.
• Development of research tools and software for data analysis, successful patents or attempts to commercialize translational research.

As the applicant may have experience in research and development work in private sector organizations, the assessment of scientific excellence will consider the diversity of contributions to careers in computational biology as defined by CoARA (Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment).

Qualified computational biologists from private sector organizations are not required to provide a current research program at the time of application. However, applicants should be able to demonstrate that they can establish a competitive research program that has the potential to positively impact the UN 2030 global agenda. Instead, applicants should submit a written summary describing their overall objectives and rationale, along with details of their planned work and its potential impact.

Pedagogical expertise

The pedagogical expertise for employment as associate professor should be demonstrated by documented experience of teaching with scientific foundation at university level. The criteria for evaluation are:

• an ability to plan, implement and evaluate teaching and an ability to supervise and examine students at every level of education
• an ability to vary teaching methods and examination formats in relation to anticipated study results and the nature of the subject
• experience of collaboration with the surrounding society in planning and implementation of education
• participation in the development of learning environments, teaching aids and study resources
• a reflective approach to student learning and one’s own role as a teacher

Particularly advantageous

• Documented experience of teaching theoretical and applied computational biology at both basic and advanced level in Swedish and English, as well as documented experience of supervising degree projects.
• Demonstrated translational research and collaboration with industry and society that can be linked to academic teaching. 
• Experience in teaching and quality assurance of project-based and theoretical-based courses in computational biology, particularly those directly relevant to biotechnology, life sciences, molecular biology and biomedicine.

Pedagogical expertise can be attained through education in university pedagogy, other education of relevance for teaching at a university level or documented and proven experience teaching at the university level.   

Further qualifications

A general basis for assessment for all teaching categories is both good cooperative skills and the expertise and suitability in general required to complete the work duties satisfactorily.

When assessing administrative and other relevant skills, emphasis will be placed on the applicant's ability to

• Develop and manage activities and staff
• Promote cooperation between academia, industry and society
• Integrate research and education at all levels
• Collaborate with other research groups and organizations
• Engage in the surrounding society in a value-creating way

In addition, the extent of proven experience in leading, organizing and developing academic and commercial activities, especially in the field of computational biology will be assessed.

Candidates with previous or current experience in leading projects, managing and consulting as a qualified computational biologist are highly desirable. Furthermore, high competence in computer science, mathematics or statistics is advantageous. Evidence of such experience is valued as highly as having an established biological research program recognized in the academic sector.

Further details

As an employee at Umeå University, you're offered a wide variety of benefits that promote a good work- life balance, read more about benefits here.

When hiring, a person of the under-represented sex with equal or equivalent merits may be proposed for employment over a person of the opposite sex.

Application

When you apply, we ask you to answer questions in Varbi. These questions replace a cover letter from you. The application should preferably be written in English, and include the following items:

Attachments

1. CV/Umu Application template. Fill in the required application template (word). Submit it attached to your application in the Varbi system as your CV. The following information must be provided in the application template:
   • basic information (contact details, employment and education history)
   • an account of research experience (including a list of articles published and a brief research plan)
   • an account of pedagogical experience and activities
   • an account of experiences of developing and managing activities and staff
   • an account of experiences regarding interacting with the surrounding society and popularizing science
   • references, including contact details
2. Copies of relevant university degrees and diplomas
3. Copies of five research publications relevant to the position, numbered according to the publication list
4. Attachments to a pedagogical portfolio (see p. 3.5 in Umu Application template)

See instructions for what to include in the application, as well as how to describe scientific or artistic and educational activities (pdf)

Applications should be made via e-recruitment system Varbi and be received no later than 2025-05-27.