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. Are you interested in learning more? Read here
The Faculty of Medicine, which consists of 12 departments, is responsible for biomedical research and courses in the field of nursing and health care and has an extensive research and graduate education in more than 80 subjects.
The Department of Medical and Translational Biology is offering a postdoctoral scholarship within the project entitled “3D Bioprinted Skin as a Platform to Study Skin Cancer Mechanisms” funded by the Kempe Foundation. The scholarship is full-time for two years with start date 1st September 2026 or by agreement.
The Department of Medical and Translational Biology (MTB) at Umeå University is an interdisciplinary research environment, advancing fundamental and translational biomedical science while delivering education in anatomy, cell biology and histology, physiology, and pharmacology and pharmacy. The selected applicant will join the research group of Associate Professor Paul Kingham.
Project description
How do cancer cells exploit the complex structure of human skin to invade and spread? This project addresses this question using a novel 3D bioprinted human skin model to study tumour–microenvironment interactions. By combining tissue engineering and cancer biology, the project contributes to a deeper mechanistic understanding of cancer progression and future personalised disease modelling.
The postdoctoral researcher will be part of a creative and collaborative research environment at MTB, with close links between basic science and clinical research. Publications are also part of the merit assessment for this postdoctoral fellowship
The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to:
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Advanced 3D bioprinting for disease modelling
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Investigate cellular interactions in cancer progression
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Further develop their independent research profile in an interdisciplinary setting
Qualifications
To qualify as a postdoctoral scholarship holder, the postdoctoral 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 organisations, military service or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.
The doctoral degree should be within biomedical sciences, cell biology, molecular biology, tissue engineering, or a closely related area.
Additional requirements are:
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Experience with primary human cell culture
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Experience with molecular techniques (e.g. qPCR, immunostaining)
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Ability to communicate scientific results in English, both in writing and orally
Meriting criteria are:
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Experience with 3D cell culture, bioprinting, or advanced in vitro models
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Experience with advanced microscopy methods and 3D image analysis
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Experience in cancer biology or tumour microenvironment research
We are looking for candidates who:
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Can structure and drive their own scientific development
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Can formulate and pursue research questions independently
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Can collaborate across disciplines and engage in a research environment combining basic and clinical science
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 31st July 2026.
A full application should include:
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Cover letter in which you describe your research background, your scientific interests, and how these relate to the project
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CV including publication list
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Copies of doctoral and other relevant degree certificates
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Contact information for at least two referees
We look forward to receiving your application!
Anställningsform: scholarship | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 1 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100 | Ort: Umeå | Län: Västerbottens län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: FS 2.1.6-1335-26 | Kontakt: Paul Kingham , Paul Kingham , | Publicerat: 2026-06-22 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2026-07-31
