Post doctor (2 years) within molecular geochemistry: insights into DNA adsorption to minerals
The Department of Chemistry is offering a postdoctoral scholarship within a project on the molecular interactions between DNA and mineral surfaces. The scholarship is full-time for two years, with access from 1 October, 2026 or by agreement.
Departmental specific information
The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments at Umeå University, with approximately 200 employees and some 30 research groups working across analytical, biological, environmental, organic, and physical chemistry. The scholarship is placed in the molecular geochemistry group led by Michael Holmboe, where clay minerals, mineral–water interfaces, and the interactions of organic molecules with mineral surfaces are studied through a combination of molecular simulation and experimental methods.
Project description
DNA can persist in soils and sediments for thousands to millions of years because it adsorbs to minerals, and to clay minerals in particular. This preservation underpins the recovery of ancient and environmental DNA used to reconstruct past ecosystems, yet the yield and integrity of DNA recovered from different sediments remain difficult to predict. The project will focus on how DNA interacts with well-characterized mineral surfaces, and how these interactions depend on pH, ionic strength, and competing organics. The project will involve molecular dynamics simulations with experimental adsorption studies at the interface of computational and experimental geochemistry. Established international collaborations span complementary computational and experimental expertise, with scope for research visits and method exchange during the scholarship period.
The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to:
develop expertise in molecular dynamics simulations of mineral–water interfaces, and apply it to the DNA–mineral systems
extend their experimental skill set in mineral sorption and characterization by XRD, Raman or FTIR, EM and AFM techniques
build an independent research profile and an international network through collaboration and research visits with partner groups abroad
Qualifications
The post-doctoral 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 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. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree before 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, or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.
A completed doctoral degree in chemistry, geochemistry, physical chemistry, computational chemistry, or a related field is required. Documented experience with molecular dynamics simulations, is a strong merit, as is a background in mineral, clay, or colloid (geo)chemistry and familiarity with mineral–organic or mineral–water interfaces. Experience with the experimental characterization of minerals or biomolecules, for example by XRD, infrared or raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy or atomic force microscopy techniques is an additional merit. Good command of written and spoken English is required.
In the assessment, particular weight is given to the ability to plan and carry out research independently, to document and communicate scientific results clearly, and to collaborate within an interdisciplinary group.
Application
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 15 August, 2026.
A full application should include:
Cover letter (maximum two pages) describing your research background and how your previous experience relates to the aims of this project,
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 three relevant articles,
Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.
Contact information to two persons willing to act as references.
Further information
For further information about the project and the scholarship, please contact Michael Holmboe (michael.holmboe@umu.se, +46 (0)90 786 6861).
