Postdoctoral scholarship (2 years) within tissue engineering and cancer biology

Medicinska fakulteten, Faculty of Medicine / Department of Medical and Translational Biology; Umeå kommun; On-site; SEK 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

Medicinska fakulteten, Faculty of Medicine / Department of Medical and Translational Biology is offering a 2-year postdoctoral scholarship in tissue engineering and cancer biology at Umeå University. The role involves advancing 3D bioprinting for disease modeling and investigating cancer progression using innovative methods.

The ideal candidate should hold a recent doctoral degree in biomedical sciences or a related field, and have experience in primary human cell culture, molecular techniques, and a collaborative research mindset.

Applications should be submitted in English or Swedish by 31st July 2026 via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system.

Qualifications

• Completed a doctoral degree or equivalent within three years.
• Experience in cancer biology or tumour microenvironment research is a plus.
• Ability to structure and drive own scientific development.

Responsibilities

• Advance 3D bioprinting for disease modelling.
• Investigate cellular interactions in cancer progression.
• Develop independent research profile in an interdisciplinary setting.

Skills

Primary human cell culture

Molecular techniques (e.g., qPCR, immunostaining)

Scientific communication in English

Education

Doctoral degree in biomedical sciences or related area

Tools

3D cell culture methods

Advanced microscopy methods

3D image analysis

Job description

Postdoctoral scholarship (2 years) within tissue engineering and cancer biology

Medicinska fakulteten, Faculty of Medicine / Department of Medical and Translational Biology

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.

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.

The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to:

• Advance 3D bioprinting for disease modelling
• Investigate cellular interactions in cancer progression
• 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 an equivalent foreign degree. This requirement must be fulfilled no later than the time of the decision about scholarship recipient.

Priority should be given to candidates whose doctoral degree was completed no later than three years prior, unless exceptional circumstances apply. The doctoral degree should be within biomedical sciences, cell biology, molecular biology, tissue engineering, or a closely related area.

Additional requirements

• Experience with primary human cell culture
• Experience with molecular techniques (e.g. qPCR, immunostaining)
• Ability to communicate scientific results in English, both in writing and orally

Meriting criteria

• Experience with 3D cell culture, bioprinting, or advanced in vitro models
• Experience with advanced microscopy methods and 3D image analysis
• Experience in cancer biology or tumour microenvironment research

We are looking for candidates who

• Can structure and drive their own scientific development
• Can formulate and pursue research questions independently
• Can collaborate across disciplines and engage in a research environment combining basic and clinical science

Application

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:

• Cover letter describing your research background, scientific interests, and how these relate to the project
• Copies of doctoral and other relevant degree certificates
• Contact information for at least two referees

We look forward to receiving your application!