Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 41,500 students and about 4,600 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.
The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.
The Department of Chemistry seeks a postdoctoral researcher who will work in the field of in situ structural virology of human metapneumovirus. The employment is full-time for two years with access by agreement.
Project description and working tasks Pneumoviruses, such as human metapneumovirus (HMPV), are a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in young children. The research aims to expand our mechanistic and structural understanding of how HMPV replicates and assembles in 2D cell culture and in tissue models. In this project, you will infect human cells with HMPV and use cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET) with subtomogram averaging to solve the structure of HMPV virions. You will also use focussed ion beam milling scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) to prepare infected cells for in situ cryo-ET. The resulting tomographic data will be analysed by machine-learning assisted segmentation approaches. The project is based in the team of Max Renner (Department of Chemistry).
Qualifications To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.
To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, 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. 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 organisations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.
Additional requirements are:
A PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, infection biology or a related field.
Experience with virology methods, preferably with a track-record in RNA viruses
Experience with cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET)
Experience with focussed ion beam milling
Good oral and written proficiency in English.
Meriting criteria are: We seek candidates that strive to work independently, take initiative, and cooperate with the research group. You should also have good oral and verbal skills to communicate your science.
Application A full application should include:
Cover letter in which you describe your qualification, your scientific interests, your motives for applying, and how you meet the qualifications,
Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list,
Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,
Verified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
Copy of doctoral thesis and up to 3 relevant articles,
Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.
Contact information to two persons willing to act as references.
The application must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of this page. The closing date is 4 May, 2026. Further details are provided by Max Renner, max.renner@umu.se.
More information The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 employees and strong and expanding research. The Department has four major research areas: Biological Chemistry, IBEAM, Organic chemistry and Technical Chemistry. We are also a strong partner in the KBC, Chemical-Biological Center.
Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment.
We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.
