Umeå University Issues Call for Expressions of Interest for Tenure-Track Faculty Position

Umeå University, one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions, has announced a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for an Assistant Professor position with a tenure track.

The role is open to candidates specializing in either Molecular Biology or Molecular Infection Medicine. Umeå University currently serves over 37,000 students and employs approximately 4,700 staff, offering diverse, high-quality education and world-leading research.

The university emphasizes its cohesive campuses, which foster collaboration and knowledge exchange in a dynamic culture. Research efforts are currently focused on addressing complex challenges arising from ongoing societal transformation and significant green investments in northern Sweden.

Research Focus and Infrastructure at Umeå University

The position is affiliated with both the Faculty of Science and Technology and the Faculty of Medicine, with departmental placement in Molecular Biology.

Researchers within this department investigate fundamental and translational molecular mechanisms in both bacterial and eukaryotic systems. Notably, the department is home to the research group responsible for the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool.

Successful candidates will benefit from access to premier research infrastructure. This includes cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy and a newly established animal biosafety level 3 facility.

Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) Affiliation Opportunity

The department hosts the Swedish node of Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), which is part of The Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine.

Researchers working in infection-related subjects may be considered for affiliation with MIMS. This affiliation offers access to a network of European excellence centers over a five-year period.

The recruited researcher will receive substantial support to establish their independent research group, including staffing at both postdoctoral and doctoral levels. The university is committed to nurturing emerging scientific leaders through mentorship and a resource-rich environment.

Role Expectations and Career Development

This tenure-track appointment is designed for researchers in the early stages of their academic careers. The primary goal is to enable the assistant professor to develop research independence and qualify for future promotion to Associate Professor.

The position requires dedication primarily to research, with at least 80% of the time allocated to developing research qualifications. The remaining time will focus on gaining necessary teaching and educational experience.

Cooperation and strong collegiality across all levels are expected as part of maintaining a positive working culture.

Eligibility and Assessment Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must hold a doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign qualification. This degree must generally have been obtained no more than seven years prior to the application deadline, although exceptions are made for documented career interruptions like parental or sick leave.

Eligible candidates must demonstrate scientific and pedagogical excellence, alongside strong potential to build an independent, high-impact research program aligned with the department’s focus areas.

Postdoctoral training in a relevant field is required, as is documented experience in mentoring early-career researchers and supervising scientific theses. Proficiency in teaching or lecturing in English is mandatory; non-Swedish speakers are expected to acquire Swedish language skills during employment.

Weighting of Qualifications for Appointment

The assessment of qualifications will be weighted as follows: research expertise carries the highest weight, followed by teaching expertise, and finally administrative expertise.

  • Research Evaluation: Emphasis is placed on the ability to conduct independent, innovative research yielding high-quality, original work. Merits include leading roles in original publications and externally funded grants.
  • Teaching Evaluation: Assessment considers the ability to plan, deliver, and evaluate instruction, alongside experience in academic supervision and examination.
  • Administrative Competence: This may be demonstrated through experience in educational planning, academic development leadership, or proficiency in educational administration.

For MIMS affiliation consideration, the applicant’s research area and potential for collaboration with EMBL and the Nordic EMBL Partnership will be evaluated.

Appointment Details and Next Steps

This is a fixed-term, full-time position governed by Chapter 4, Section 12a of the Higher Education Ordinance, with eligibility for promotion to Associate Professor.

A comprehensive teaching and research development plan, including assigned mentors, will be established upon appointment. Applications for promotion must be submitted at least six months before the fixed term concludes.

Applicants must submit a research plan in English, a brief summary of their mobility/international experience, and a publication list highlighting the ten most important publications with a summary of each publication's significance.

The department will contact candidates of interest before advancing them to the final national selection round nominated by Umeå University.