Professor of Pharmacology

The Department of Medical Cell Biology, together with six other departments, forms the Faculty of Medicine at Uppsala University. The department conducts successful research in cell biology, physiology, and pharmacology, with a particular focus on diabetes, cell and neurophysiology, and immunology. In order to strengthen and develop pharmacological research, the Department of Medical Cell Biology is now seeking a professor in pharmacology with a preclinical focus.

The department has access to a wide range of methods, including advanced fluorescence microscopy (from single-molecule imaging to intravital microscopy), electrophysiology, respirometry, microfluidics, organoid cultures, bioprinting, and excellent opportunities to work with various in vivo models. Infrastructure and expertise in various so-called omics technologies, single-cell biology, bioinformatics, drug development, and more are available locally through the SciLifeLab research infrastructure. The department offers a collegial environment with research groups that collaborate not only internally or with other departments at the university and Uppsala University Hospital, but also nationally and internationally, as well as with spin-off companies and the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to research, the Department of Medical Cell Biology offers undergraduate, advanced, and research-level courses, with undergraduate courses primarily in the medical, biomedical, pharmacy, and nursing programs. The department is located at the Biomedical Center (BMC) in Uppsala and has over 110 employees, including teachers, researchers, doctoral students, and administrators.

Description of the subject area
As a professor, you will represent the subject of pharmacology and be responsible for maintaining high quality in terms of content and development within both research and education at the undergraduate, advanced, and research levels. Pharmacology involves the study of how drugs and similar substances interact with biological systems. By investigating how such substances affect molecular targets and induce changes in cellular and physiological processes or pathological processes in relevant in vitro and in vivo models, knowledge is gained about the mechanisms of action, efficacy and potential side effects of drugs. Preclinical research in pharmacology plays a crucial role in the development of new drugs.

Duties
The person appointed will have overall responsibility for research and postgraduate education in the field of pharmacology. The position includes supervision and teaching at the doctoral, advanced, and basic levels. Basic pharmacology is mainly taught in the medical and biomedical programs and focuses on general pharmacology, i.e., the principles of drug mechanisms, metabolism, and effects, and special pharmacology, including knowledge of the use and effects of various drugs in the treatment of diseases.

The holder of the position shall lead an active research group focused on pharmacology and contribute to a positive development of both research and education in the subject in collaboration with the faculty's researchers and teachers. Administrative tasks and internal and external commissions of trust are included in the position. This also includes keeping abreast of developments within one's own subject area and in society in general that are relevant to the work at the university, as well as contributing to the dissemination of knowledge to, and in collaboration with, the surrounding community.

Qualifications
According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4, Section 3, a person who has demonstrated both research and teaching expertise shall be qualified for employment as a professor. According to Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University (AR) Section 5, one general qualification required is that applicants must be able to work with other people and otherwise meet the demands of suitability required to perform their duties well.

Scientific proficiency must be demonstrated through independent research efforts focusing on molecular and cellular mechanisms and experimental methods relevant to pharmacology, and by achievements that are of a high international standard.The applicant must have demonstrated expertise in planning, initiating, leading and developing research; an ability to obtain research funding in competition; and well-documented expertise in supervising third cycle (doctoral) students. The applicant’s contributions to the international and national scientific community must be assessed on the basis of such criteria as the quality and scope of scholarly publications. The international track record required must be assessed in light of the nature and specific circumstances of the subject. (AR Section 31).

Teaching expertise must have been demonstrated by an extensive educational portfolio in accordance with AR Section 22 and 32. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate well-documented teaching skills at the university level, acquired recently (mainly within the last five years), and show a reflective approach to student learning and their own role as a teacher, and thus be competent to teach preclinical pharmacology. Furthermore, the applicant must demonstrate well-documented expertise in supervision at first cycle (undergraduate) level, second cycle (Master’s) level and third cycle (doctoral) level. A prerequisite for considering that the applicant has teaching expertise is that the applicant has completed at least ten weeks of teacher training for higher education that is relevant to the organisation and its activities, or has equivalent knowledge. If there are special reasons, the teacher training for higher education may be undertaken during the first two years of employment. The teacher training must also include third cycle (doctoral student) supervision. (AR Section 32)

The applicant must have documented ability to teach in Swedish or English. (AR Section 6)

Those who do not have documented ability to teach in Swedish may be given the opportunity to acquire this ability within the first two years of employment.

Assessment criteria:
When selecting among qualified applicants, primary consideration will be given to research expertise, followed by teaching expertise.

The degree of administrative competence and cooperation skills is then assessed. However, a qualitative overall assessment of competence, expertise and suitability will be carried so that applicants have the best conditions for carrying out and developing the duties in question and for positively contributing to the development of the department. The position requires excellent collaboration skills.

Scientific proficiency refers to research qualifications in the field of pharmacology with a focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms and experimental methods. In assessing research expertise, the primary focus will be on research quality. The scope of research, in terms of both depth and breadth, will also be considered. Additionally, the capacity to plan, initiate, lead, and develop research and doctoral education, acquire competitive research funding, and interact with the academic and broader community are important. (AR Section 20) See also Guidelines and Assessment Criteria for Recruiting and Promoting Teachers at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy (GA), Section 3.

Teaching skills refer to educational qualifications relevant to teaching pharmacology. In assessing teaching expertise, the primary focus will be on teaching quality. The scope of teaching experience, in terms of both breadth and depth, will be considered. The ability to plan, initiate, lead, and develop teaching, connect research to teaching, and engage with higher education teaching and learning issues are essential (Section 4, GA, and Section 22, AR).

Assessment criteria, other expertise
Administrative and management expertise are significant to the position and will be assigned weight. The ability to collaborate with the surrounding community and to inform the public about research and development will be considered.

Administrative expertise is demonstrated, for example, by the ability to plan, organise and prioritise work in an efficient and appropriate manner, and the ability to specify and keep to time frames. Such expertise includes overall operational planning, the ability to manage resources in a way that reflects operational priorities, and the ability to work in a structured manner based on awareness of goals and quality. (AR Section 28) See also GA Section 5.

Management expertise is demonstrated by the ability to lead operations and staff, make decisions, take responsibility and motivate others, providing them with the conditions needed for efficient achievement of shared goals. Expertise may also be demonstrated by an ability to coordinate the group, to help create a sense of involvement, participation and job satisfaction, and to deal with conflicts. (AR Section 30) See also GA Section 5.

When assessing collaboration expertise, experience of and expertise in education and outreach work, editorships and other activities related to knowledge exchange between academia and the wider community, as well as experience of innovation and entrepreneurship, will be given weight. (GA Section 6)

In an overall assessment of the applicant's qualifications, parental leave, part-time work due to childcare, trade union responsibilities, military service or similar activities are to be treated as work experience. (AR Section 94)

When the University appoints new teachers, it must select the applicants who, following a qualitative overall assessment of their competence and expertise, are judged to have the best potential to perform and develop the relevant duties and to contribute to the positive development of the department. (AR Section 4).

The gender equality aspect must be applied in an appointment process if it is evident following a qualitative assessment that two applicants of different gender have equal or approximately equal qualifications and if one gender is underrepresented (constitutes less than 40% of those in the occupational category in question and at the workplace concerned). (AR Section 95)

All qualifications must be documented so that both quality and degree can be assessed.

During the evaluation of submitted applications, international referees may be used. In this event, the University may need to send applications that are written in Swedish to a qualified translator.

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

Links to relevant regulations and guidelines

Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University

Guidelines and assessment criteria for recruiting and promoting teachers at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy

Career Portfolios. Instructions for compiling qualifications and guidelines for qualifications assessment in connection with recruitment of teachers, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy

Salary: Individual salary

Starting date: As agreed

Form of employment: Permanent employment

Scope of employment: Full-time 

For more information, please contact:

Professor Pernilla Åsenlöf, tel. +46 018-471 47 68 , email: pernilla.asenlof@uu.se, or

Professor Anders Tengholm, tel + 46 018-471 44 81, email: Anders.Tengholm@mcb.uu.se  

Welcome to submit your application, no later than 15 September, 2025, UFV-PA 2025/159

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find much information about working and living in Sweden at: www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact the International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.