Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering with specialisation in Microphysiological systems (SciLifeLab Fellow) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Uppsala University’s tenure track system grants assistant professors the possibility to be assessed for promotion to the position as associate professor. The university provides support in various areas, such as scientific and educational development, leadership development as well as patent and innovation support.

The position is located at the Division of Biomedical Engineering at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. At the Department of Materials Science, we have an innovative and international research environment focused technical and socially relevant challenges. We work to find solutions in biomedical engineering, environment and energy and other things that can lead to sustainable and improved quality of life for people. We have dedicated and knowledgeable employees who together lead research and conduct teaching. The department belongs to the Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology and is located at the Ångström Laboratory at Uppsala University.

The appointment is part of SciLifeLab's Fellows program, which is a national career program for promising young researchers. There is a financial start-up package connected to the position that can be used e.g. for the recruitment of a PhD student or the purchase of expensive equipment, as well as a well-designed career support program in the form of mentors and courses in e.g. project management.

SciLifeLab is an academic collaboration between several Swedish universities and a distributed national research infrastructure with a clear focus on all aspects of life science, from health to environmental research (www.scilifelab.se). SciLifeLab's core mission is to provide technologies that facilitate large-scale analysis of biological processes at the molecular level. The research infrastructure is closely intertwined with and promoted by our community of researchers focused on technology development for molecular life sciences, specifically within three capabilities, namely: precision medicine, planetary biology and laboratory preparedness against pandemics.

SciLifeLab brings together researchers across traditional borders and promotes collaborations with industry, healthcare, public research organizations and international partners. As a SciLifeLab Fellow, you will be part of the dynamic SciLifeLab community both locally in Uppsala and in Sweden at large. For information about the SciLifeLab fellow program, see https://www.scilifelab.se/contact/fellows/?filter=all. SciLifeLab Fellows are also part of a broad national network of future academic leaders within the programs Data-driven life science (DDLS) and Wallenberg Centers for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), within the network Program for Academic leaders in Life Science, PALS.

More information about the Departemnt of Materials Sciecne and Engineering can be found on our webpage: www.materialvetenskap.uu.se/en

Description of subject area of the employment: The field of microphysiological systems seek to develop in vivo like cell culture systems to model the human, animal and plant physiology by tailoring the chemical and physical properties of the cell culture environment via advanced processing techniques on the nano- and microscale. The technology provides important advancements for several disciplines of the life sciences by presenting new tools and methods to acquire improved understanding on fundamental biological processes including organ development, cell-cell communication, disease on-set and progression and the role of environmental stressors on the adaption of plants and crops to climate change.

The subject area of this position is experimental research that, by using new methods and concepts, focuses on the development and characterization of new microphysiological systems.

Duties:

• Teaching, research and administration. Teaching duties include course responsibility and course administration and supervision of second- and third-cycle students.
• Follow developments within the subject area and the development of society in general that is important for the work at the university.
• The position may include some financial responsibility and general project management, as well as collaborations with industry and participation in outreach activities arranged for the general public.
• Applying for research funding from Swedish and international research funders in order to strategically build up independent research in the subject area.

Appointment Period: The position can be held for a maximum of six years. An Assistant Professor can apply for promotion to Associate Professor. If the Assistant Professor is deemed suitable and fulfills the criteria for promotion established by the Faculty Board he/she shall be promoted to and employed as Associate Professor.

Qualifications Required:

• PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Micro/Nano Systems Technology, Nanotechnology or corresponding areas. Applicants who have obtained a PhD degree or achieved the equivalent competence in five years or less prior to the end of the application period will be given priority.
• Research Expertise and Teaching Expertise. It is necessary that the pedagogical skills, the research expertise and the professional skills are relevant to the content of the employment and the tasks that will be included in the employment.
• Applicants should have completed teacher training of relevance to operations at the University, comprising five weeks, or have acquired the equivalent knowledge. If special circumstances apply, this training for teachers in higher education may be completed during the first two years of employment.
• Documented ability to teach in Swedish or English is a requirement unless special reasons prevail.
• Personal capabilities necessary to carry out fully the duties of the appointment.

Assessment Criteria/Ranking of applicants that fulfil the above-mentioned qualifications required

The ranking of eligible applicants will be based primarily on research, teaching and administrative expertise, of which weight will be primarily given to research expertise.

Research Expertise comprises research merits as well as the applicant´s potential to contribute to the future development of both research and teaching. In assessing research expertise research quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of research, primarily in regard to depth and breadth, must also be afforded consideration.

In assessing research expertise special weight will be attached to merits in experimental research in the area of development and characterisation of microphysiological systems, particularly development of new experimental methods and concepts, as well as application of such systems in biological, biomedical or pharmaceutical research. The applicant is expected to hold documented experience to independently initiate and lead experimental research in the area of microphysiological systems and leading productive research collaborations.

Furthermore, the ability to plan, initiate, lead and develop research and education at third-cycle level, the ability to competitively attract external funding for research projects, as well as demonstrated ability to interact both within the own scientific discipline and with the surrounding society will be given importance. Experience of conducting research obroad and international research collaborations will also be considered meritorious.

Teaching Expertise comprises educational and teaching qualifications. In assessing teaching expertise teaching quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of teaching experience, in terms of both breadth and depth, must also be afforded consideration. In assessing teaching expertise special weight will be attached to merits of teaching in biomedical engineering, microfabrication, material science, biomaterial or similar topics.

Administrative Expertise is important for the employment and will be given consideration.

Administrative expertise is demonstrated, for example, through the capacity to plan, organise, and prioritise work in an efficient and task-related manner as well as through the ability to assign and observe time frames. Expertise includes overall operational planning and the capacity to manage resources in a way that reflects operational priorities as well as the ability to work in a structured manner based on an awareness of goals and quality.

All merits must be documented in a manner that makes it possible to assess both quality and scope.

In filling this position the university aims to appoint the applicant who, following a qualitative holistic assessment of her/his competence and expertise, is judged to have the best potential to carry out and develop the relevant duties and to help advance operations.

Further information

In an overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, parental leave, part-time work relating to care of children, union assignments, military service, or the like are to be regarded as work experience.

University appointment regulations

Faculty appointment regulations

Instructions for application

For further information about the position, please contact Head of Department Åsa Kassman-Rudolphi (asa.kassman@angstrom.uu.se) or Head of Division Maria Tenje (maria.tenje@angstrom.uu.se).

Type of position: Temporary full-time position six years.

Salary: Individually negotiated salary.

Number of positions: 1

Working hours: 100%

Town: Uppsala

In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

If you are an international candidate, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus.

Please submit your application by 28 March 2024, UFV-PA 2023/4475.