Up to three positions as assistant professor (tenure track, group leader) in molecular medicine at Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 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.

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 Project and work description

The Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM) at Umeå University is part of a national agenda with the goal of ensuring a leading position for Sweden within medical research. The Centre is a collaboration between the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, Umeå University and Region Västerbotten. In this call, Umeå University is looking for up to three excellent young researchers - Wallenberg Molecular Medicine Fellows - within, for example, one of the following focus areas: cancer, infection biology, neuroscience or metabolic diseases. A comprehensive 6-year support program includes 6 years of salary for the WCMM fellow and a support package of 15 million SEK, which enables, for example, funding for up to two 2-year postdoctoral researchers, two Ph.D. students, and consumables. Within the centre there are strong, internationally recognized research environments combined with access to excellent local and national research infrastructures including unique collections of samples in existing biobanks.

The position is aimed at researchers early in their career and the purpose of the position is that an assistant professor shall be given the opportunity to develop their independence as researchers, and to merit both scientific as well as pedagogically to meet the eligibility criteria for a position as associate professor. You will be working near established research groups. You are expected to initiate and maintain a research program within molecular medicine at a high international level complementing on-going research at Umeå University. Furthermore, you should actively participate in research collaborations and take part in exchange programs within the PALS-network (Program for Academic Leaders in Life Science), including WCMM centres at Gothenburg, Linköping and Lund University, Science for Life Laboratories in Stockholm/Uppsala, and the Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS)-program.

The position as assistant professor is mainly (at least 80 percent) focused on obtaining scientific merit, the remaining time should be devoted to obtaining pedagogical merit to such an extent that the competence requirements for employment as a university lecturer can be achieved.

Teaching may partly be conducted with internet-based methods at a distance. Teaching will be held in Swedish and English. Administrative tasks will be included.

The position is based in Umeå, Sweden but work at other locations may occur.

Qualifications

Eligible to apply for this appointment as assistant professor is a person who has completed a PhD or has the corresponding research expertise. You must be able to show documented excellent research in molecular medicine. Relevant postdoctoral research at a university other than where you obtained your doctorate is a requirement for employment.

To be eligible for employment, the applicant must have documented ability to teach in English. Those who do not have the ability to teach in Swedish are expected to acquire this ability during the period of employment.

Assessment criteria

Since the position is aimed at researchers early in their career, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance ch. 4, § 4a and local regulations, candidates should primarily be those who have completed a doctoral degree or have achieved equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for this employment as assistant professor. However, a person who has completed a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special circumstances. Special circumstances are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Furthermore, the assessment criteria for employment as an assistant professor are: Scientific skill, pedagogical skill as well as administrative skill and skill to collaborate.

A general assessment basis for teachers at Umeå University is good cooperation skills, as well as the competence and suitability in general that is needed to perform the tasks well.

Weighting and description of assessment criteria

For the evaluation of the appointment, the weighting of merits will be assessed in the following order of priority: Scientific proficiency (3), pedagogical abilities (2), ability to collaborate as well as administrative skill, including ability to communicate research with the community and ability to manage and develop organization and personnel (total 1).

The evaluation of the scientific proficiency will devote particular emphasis to the level of original and independently performed research within the area of molecular medicine. This includes publications at a high scientific level, and grants achieved in national or international competition is highly meritorious.

The evaluation of pedagogical abilities will pay particular attention to experiences in planning, execution, and evaluation of teaching as well as supervision and examination.

Evaluation is also made on the basis of documented administrative skills, in particular leadership skills regarding ability to plan and develop organizations and its personnel, as well as undergraduate education, and the ability to interact and communicate research with society.

More about the position

The position is a six-year, full-time, fixed-term appointment pursuant to Chapter 4 Section 12a of the Higher Education Ordinance, with the right to be considered for promotion to associate professor. The criteria for promotion shall be determined no later than the start of employment. An application to be considered for promotion must be submitted six months before the end of the fixed-term appointment. If, after due consideration, it is decided not to promote an assistant professor, the fixed-term appointment shall be terminated.

The position will be provided with a 6-year support package. In addition, the applicant is expected to be able to supplement their research budget by obtaining external research grants in national or international competition. Organizationally, the position will be placed at one of the departments in the Faculty of Medicine at Umeå University.

Department affiliation is decided by the employer and will be done in consultation with you based on where your research fits; please indicate your wish for department affiliation in your application. A pedagogical and a scientific development plan will be drawn up between the applicant and head of department at time of employment, one pedagogical and two scientific mentors will be appointed to support the implementation of the plans.

Application
Last application date is 2025-01-20. Instructions for the application and a list of the documents to be attached to the application can be found here.

You apply via our e-recruitment system which you can reach via the application button below. When the application is received, you will receive a confirmation email.

We welcome your application!

Admission

According to agreements

Salary

Monthly salary

Application deadline

2025-01-20

Registration number

AN 2.2.1-1059-24

Contact

Andrei Chabes andrei.chabes@umu.se

Union representative

SACO +4690-7865365
SEKO +4690-7865296
ST +4690-7865431