Associate professor in neuroscience and developmental biology

The Department of Molecular Biology is looking for an associate professor in the field of neuroscience and developmental biology. Welcome to apply on 22 January 2026 at the latest.

Duties

Duties include teaching and research in the field of neuroscience, developmental biology and physiology. You will:

• Teach and ensure high quality in both theoretical and project-based courses in neuroscience, developmental biology, and physiology, with applications in biotechnology, bioscience, molecular biology, and biomedicine. This includes supervising and assessing degree projects and teaching at the undergraduate and advanced levels.
• Actively contribute to the development and improvement of course materials in the subject area.
• Participate in the department's strategic development, inspire students, and contribute to the management and coordination of teaching activities.
• Conduct independent research and doctoral education that addresses key biological questions in neuroscience, developmental biology, physiology, or related areas.
• Strengthen the university's research profile in neuroscience, developmental biology, and physiology, with the goal of generating new knowledge relevant to biotechnology, bioscience, molecular biology, and biomedicine.
• Formulate research questions that deepen understanding of fundamental biological concepts, particularly the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern neural development and function. The results should contribute to new theories relevant to the UN's Agenda 2030 and the global scientific community.
• Design research projects that are hypothesis-driven and contain a clear experimental component, preferably using quantitative methods, and ideally integrating both experimental and computational approaches.

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.

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.

Other eligibility requirements

• Proven experience in teaching neuroscience, developmental biology and physiology at both basic and advanced level.
• The ability to teach in English.
• Research activities within neuroscience, developmental biology and physiology or related fields.

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

Of particular importance

• Research within the subject area that clarifies the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing neural development and function. Priority is given to studies that use model organisms and apply genetic, molecular, and biochemical methods to investigate these processes from embryogenesis to adulthood.
• Studies that promote a mechanistic understanding of health and disease through integrative approaches in molecular biology, genetics, and physiology.
• The research should be hypothesis-driven and grounded in rigorous scientific investigation, with a clear focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying physiological processes and pathological conditions.

Meritorious

• Expertise in developing cutting-edge neurotechnologies, including advanced molecular methods, which not only improve data analysis capabilities but also strengthen the design of strategic research questions.
• Experience in generating successful patents and initiating commercialization efforts for translational research, 

Qualified applicants should be able to demonstrate that they can establish a competitive research program that has the potential to positively impact on the UN 2030 global agenda. 

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 both project-based and theoretical courses in neuroscience, developmental biology, and physiology, particularly relevant to biotechnology, bioscience, molecular biology, and biomedicine.
• Documented experience of teaching at both undergraduate and advanced levels, in both Swedish and English.
• Documented experience of course and program administration and leadership, including the development of educational quality, subject relevance, and student accessibility.

Pedagogical expertise can be attained through education in university pedagogy, other education of relevance for teaching at the 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 neuroscience, developmental biology, and physiology will be assessed.

Further details

As an employee at Umeå University, you are 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 history and education)
   • 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 of 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 the e-recruitment system Varbi and be received no later than 22 January 2026.