Three multidisciplinary postdoctoral scholarships (2 years)

The Integrated Science Lab (IceLab) (icelab.se) jointly with several departments at Umeå University and SLU offer three postdoctoral scholarships that will be affiliated with one of six possible multidisciplinary projects.

The ideal postdocs will have expertise in some of the following areas: computational modeling, computational biology, computational physics, applied mathematics, machine learning, bioinformatics, biophysics, spectroscopy, image processing, ecological modeling, molecular biology, plant physiology, marine biology or an interest in gaining experience in these areas. Further, postdocs should have a deep interest in scientific collaboration between researchers using theoretical and empirical approaches.

The six projects are:

• A. Modeling RNA metabolism with applications in neuron development
• B. Multiscale physiological response of reef-forming marine algae to environmental stress
• C. Financial Risk Management and Decision Making in Biodiversity Conservation
• D. How plant cell shape and tissue structure help cells stick together
• E. DETERMINER - Determining appropriate monitoring frequency for phytoplankton
• F. Predicting bacterial protein expression during infection using machine learning

Detailed information on and specific requirements for each project is given below.

The IceLab Multidisciplinary Postdoctoral Program funded by Kempestiftelserna

The under-explored terrain between traditional disciplines is full of fascinating and impactful research questions. At IceLab, we promote and facilitate transdisciplinary collaborations – with a focus on cutting-edge research that integrates theoretical, computational, and empirical approaches.

We will welcome you to IceLab with genuine support by creative researchers working on a panel of interdisciplinary problems. You will participate in both professionally and personally rewarding and entertaining activities aimed at training a new kind of researcher. A multidisciplinary team of researchers with complementary expertise will supervise each postdoc.

The two-year postdoctoral fellowships are financed by Kempestiftelserna and are part of the IceLab Multidisciplinary Postdoctoral Program. A fellowship amounts to 708 000 SEK over two years. The scholarships are tax-free. Application deadline September 18, 2025. Start between January and April 2026 (exact start date according to agreement).

Formal qualifications

To qualify as a postdoctoral scholarship holder, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about scholarship recipient.

Priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior to the decision date for the scholarship recipient. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Candidates should have experience in some of the following areas: computational modeling, computational biology, computational physics, applied mathematics, machine learning, bioinformatics, biophysics, spectroscopy, image processing, ecological modeling, molecular biology, plant physiology, marine biology or an interest in gaining experience in these areas. Personal qualities such as collaboration, communication, strong drive and motivation, critical thinking abilities, creativity and analytical skills are essential. You should be able to take on the research independently and as part of a team. Good knowledge of oral and written English is required.

Application

A full application should include:

1. A cover letter clearly stating which project or projects you are particularly interested in and summarizing your qualifications, your scientific interests, and your motives for applying (max 2 pages),
2. A curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list,
3. Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained
4. Certified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
5. Copy of doctoral thesis,
6. Copies of relevant publications,
7. Contact information for at least two reference persons,
8. Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.

The application should be written in English or Swedish, and attached documents should be in Word or PDF format. The application should be registered via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi and submitted by the deadline 18th of September 2025.

Project descriptions, specific qualifications, and contact information

(Descriptions for projects A through F follow, but for brevity in this extraction, key details are included as per the main content.)