Assistant Professor in cellular microbiology or infection biology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (ICM) (https://icm.uu.se) is organized into seven research programs, each focusing on distinct areas within cell and molecular biology i.e. computational biology and bioinformatics, microbiology and immunology, molecular biology, molecular biophysics, molecular evolution, molecular systems biology, and structural biology. While the foundation of our research lies in biology, it intersects with other disciplines such as medicine, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, and physics. The department employs over 200 staff members, including approximately 60 doctoral students.

The department offers a strong research environment with unique opportunities for synergy and collaboration between theoretical and experimental activities. Access to BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories equipped with specialized instrumentation enables advanced studies of pathogens exists.

The department is responsible for the international Master’s programs in Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular Cell Biology, and Bioinformatics, and contributes to most subject-specific courses within the Master of Science in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering program at Uppsala University.

You can find more information about us here. 

The advertised position will be located within the Microbiology and Immunology program, which is the largest program at the department. It comprises seven research groups specializing in various aspects of cell biology, infection biology, immunology, and microbiology. The appointment is linked to the SciLifeLab program (see below), meaning that basic financing is in place of SEK 15 million total over six years.

The position is affiliated with the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab). SciLifeLab is a national center for leading edge technological infrastructures that supports large-scale data and hypothesis-driven research in the field of molecular biosciences. SciLifeLab (www.scilifelab.se) operates nationally, engaging all major Universities of Sweden including the four founding universities: Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University and Uppsala University. SciLifeLab brings together researchers across traditional boundaries and promotes collaborations with industry, healthcare, public research organizations and international partners. As a SciLifeLab Fellow, the recruited researcher 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/research/#fellows. SciLifeLab Fellows are also part of a broad national network of future academic leaders within SciLifeLab and Wallenberg's national program for data-driven life science (DDLS fellows) and the fellow programs at the Wallenberg Centers for Molecular Medicine (WCMM fellows), within the network Program for Academic leaders in Life Science, PALS, see https://www.palsnetwork.se.

Subject area

The position targets outstanding applicants with research experience in experimental cellular microbiology and/or infection biology in the broadest sense. This may include experimental studies in cell biology, immunology, or molecular biology at the organismal or cellular level.

Duties

You will work with:

• research with an experimental focus, by building and establishing an independent research group within the department, as well as defining and planning research activities within the scope of the subject areas described above. This includes conducting experimental research in cellular microbiology or infection biology, writing of scientific publications, giving scientific presentations at national and international conferences, and actively applying for and securing external research funding.
• teaching, including course responsibility, course administration, and supervision of students, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers. Teaching will take place in courses relevant to and aligned with the program’s research specializations.
• administrative duties, including leading a research group and contributing collegially at the department, section, and faculty levels. This includes serving on committees, taking on responsibilities beyond one’s own research and teaching duties, participating in the evaluation and development of teaching and research activities, collaborating with colleagues, and providing support and feedback to peers.
• keeping up to date in your subject area and following developments in society that are relevant to your work at Uppsala University.

In choosing between eligible candidates, emphasis will primarily be given to both research and teaching expertise, with particular weight given to research expertise. In addition, attention will be given to administrative, management and collaboration expertise.

Qualifications required

You must have:

• a PhD in microbiology, infection biology, or closely related relevant fields. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed their PhD or attained equivalent expertise no more than seven years before the application deadline.
• scientific expertise in experimental cellular microbiology or infection biology. This refers both to research achievements and to the applicant’s potential to contribute to the future development of both research and education.
• pedagogical expertise, according particular weight to the ability to develop and adapt one’s teaching. The ability to integrate research in the relevant subject area, subject didactic, and higher education into teaching is also required.
• documented ability to teach in Swedish or English. In addition to academic qualifications, teaching and training experience from other contexts may also be considered, such as supervision, internal training, or mentoring programs.
• completed at least five weeks of teacher training for higher education of relevance to the organisation and its activities or be considered to have acquired the equivalent knowledge. The required training for teachers in higher education may be completed during the first two years of employment if there are special circumstances.
• ability to work with other people and otherwise meet the demands of suitability required to perform the duties well.
• teaching expertise and research expertise that are relevant to the subject area and the duties that the position involves.

Other desirable/valuable qualifications

It would be an advantage if you have:

• scientific publications in experimental cellular microbiology or infection biology, where primary emphasis will be placed on scientific quality. The scope of research, particularly depth and breadth, will also be taken into account.
• ability to plan, initiate, lead, and develop research, as well as to secure competitive research funding.
• documented experience in technology development and innovation within the specified field.
• documented teaching experience in microbiology or infection biology. Particular emphasis will be placed on teaching quality, but scope (both breadth and depth) will also be considered.
• administrative expertise. Capacity to plan, organise and prioritise activities and to work in a structured manner that demonstrates an awareness of goals and quality.
• leadership skills, including the ability to develop, coordinate, and lead activities and staff.
• collaboration skills, including the ability to engage with the broader society, disseminate and exchange knowledge, and apply research and development results. Collaboration within academia will also be considered important.

For more information on assessment and assessment criteria, see the Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University and the Faculty of Science and Technology’s Guidelines for the Appointement and Promotion of Teachers.

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

When the University appoints new academic staff, candidates will be selected based on a qualitative overall assessment of their competence and expertise, taking into account their potential to perform and develop the duties of the position and to contribute to the positive development of the department.

Application

Parental leave, part-time work due to childcare, trade union responsibilities, military service or similar activities are treated as work experience and should be listed in the CV.

Instructions for applications for employment

Period of employment 

The position of Assistant Professor is fixed-term for up to six years and is intended to provide qualifications for a permanent teaching position with higher eligibility requirements. During the appointment, there is the possibility to apply for promotion to Associate Professor. If the requirements are met and suitability is confirmed, the appointee may be promoted to a permanent position as Associate Professor.  

About the position
This is a temporary full-time position six years. The position is full-time (100%). Starting date as soon as possible or as agreed. Place of work: Uppsala

Further information about the position is available from: Professor Bengt Persson, +46 70-425 02 30, bengt.persson@icm.uu.se

We look forward to receiving your application by 22 May 2026, UFV-PA 2025/4023.

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

We offer you

Sweden offers good working conditions, including comprehensive social benefits such as generous family-focused policies that make healthcare, childcare, and children’s education available and highly affordable. At Uppsala University, we offer the opportunity for new international staff to learn Swedish through our language courses. If you have family, they will get new contacts and support through the Uppsala International Citizen hub.

If you are an international candidate, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden here.

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.