‘Excellence by Choice’ Postdoctoral Programme in Life Science

The two Swedish Centres of Excellence: Umeå Centre for Microbial Research and Umeå Plant Science Centre at Umeå University are running the ‘Excellence by Choice’ Postdoctoral Programme in Life Science offering a highly interactive and multidisciplinary research environment. In this fifth call, up to two postdoctoral fellowships are open to all nationalities.

The programme aims to encourage new synergies in life science with a focus on molecular and translational research, training outstanding young researchers, and stimulating cutting-edge research in Umeå. Patron for the programme is Nobel laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier, who discovered the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology during her time as a scientist and group leader in Umeå.

The ‘EC’ Postdoctoral fellow will: 

• Develop a collaborative project under supervision of at least two PIs 
• Obtain a fellowship over a minimum of 21 months as well as a career development grant (25,000 SEK). In addition, the project is supported with a grant to cover running costs (320,000 SEK). 
• Have access to UCMR/UPSC-affiliated core facilities and technical platforms: Research infrastructures at Umeå University
• Get opportunities to participate in career development activities aiming at developing soft skills and at strengthening networks and collaborations in academics and industry.
• Be part of a strong postdoc community. The Umeå Postdoc Society fosters networking and organizes social and career development events.

List of projects:

The candidate is encouraged to consider one of the project ideas listed. The candidate’s merits and motivation for this project idea are assessed by the PIs of each project respectively. For detailed information about every project, click the link.

1. Evolution of Scots pine forests since the last glacial maximum

https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ec-postdoc-programme/evolution-of-scots-pine-forests-since-the-last-glacial-maximum/

2. Molecular innovation to explore genome function and host-parasite interactions in Schistosoma mansoni

https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ec-postdoc-programme/molecular-innovation-to-explore-genome-function-and-host-parasite-interactions-in-schistosoma-mansoni/

3. Phage–bacteria interactions shaping the infant gut microbiome

https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ec-postdoc-programme/phagebacteria-interactions-shaping-the-infant-gut-microbiome/

4. Calcium-induced activation of transcription of defense response genes in plants

https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ec-postdoc-programme/calcium-induced-activation-of-transcription-of-defense-response-genes-in-plants/

5. Deciphering the role of specialized mitoribosomes in proteotoxic stress and ageing

https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ec-postdoc-programme/deciphering-the-role-of-specialized-mitoribosomes-in-proteotoxic-stress-and-ageing/

6. ncRNA_net: Development of a novel approach to lncRNA-mRNA Regulatory

Network Inference

https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ec-postdoc-programme/ncrna_net-development-of-a-novel-approach-to-lncrna-mrna-regulatory-network-inference/

7. Virome–vector competence shifts: How mosquito laboratory rearing conditions shape virus transmission

https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ec-postdoc-programme/viromevector-competence-shifts-how-mosquito-laboratory-rearing-conditions-shape-virus-transmission/

8. CRISPR-Cas9 delivery via carbon nanotubes and chitosan nanoparticles for floral induction in Norway spruce

https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ec-postdoc-programme/crispr-cas9-delivery-via-carbon-nanotubes-and-chitosan-nanoparticles-for-floral-induction-in-norway-spruce/

Qualification

To qualify as a postdoctoral fellowship holder, you have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This is usually fulfilled after successfully completing all the requirements of the doctoral programme, including passing their dissertation defence. Candidates should have completed their doctoral degree, no more than three years before the closing date of the application. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their 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 who have worked in the lab of the main PI or Co-PI during their PhD and postdoc are not eligible.

Step 1: Application

The application should include:

1. A Curriculum Vitae
2. A motivation letter including research interests, qualifications, and motivation for applying for the position with the specific project idea selected from the list (max 2,000 characters with space)
3. A publication list including both published papers and preprints with web/DOI 
4. A description of up to a total three (3) of your publications and/or preprints that you consider to represent your scientifically most valuable work, answering the following questions (max 3,000 characters with space):
   1. Why is one particular publication considered scientifically most valuable?
   2. What was your specific contribution(s) to this published research work?
   3. What was your role in the manuscript writing and publishing of the work?
5. Names and contact details of at least two references
6. A verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that attests completing all the requirements of the doctoral programme, including passing the dissertation defense. If not available at time of submission, a proof of completion of the doctoral degree must be submitted at the latest together with the PDF presentation one week before the final interview (see step 2 below).

The application must be submitted online. More details of each project can be found on the Umeå University website: https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ec-postdoc-programme/excellence-by-choice--postdoctoral-programme-in-life-science-call-5/ 

Online application system: https://www.appinconf.com/kas/Abstract?projectName=ucmr2025

The application deadline is 17 August 2025.

Step 2: Final interviews

A short list of candidates will be invited to the final interview and beforehand prepare a PDF for the interview presentation. The interviews are performed by a panel of UCMR and UPSC researchers. The date of the final interview is 6-7 October 2025.

Learn more about life as an ‘EC’ postdoc

Featured article in Nature: Big ideas welcome: postdoc call in Sweden seeks original thinkers

‘EC’ postdoc portraits: https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ec-postdoc-programme/

Questions?

Questions can be addressed to UCMR research coordinator [email protected]

We welcome your application! 

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest institutions of higher education with over 35,000 students and 4,200 faculty and staff. The university is characterized by world-leading research in several scientific fields and a multitude of educations ranked highly in international comparison. Recent breakthroughs include deciphering the molecular mechanisms of the bacterial CRISPR-Cas9 system and its repurposing into a tool for genome editing, a method that was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Umeå University as a workplace

Umeå University wants to offer an environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. In each recruitment we aim to increase diversity and the opportunity to affirmative action. We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.