18 Postdoctoral Fellowship at Umea University, Sweden 

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.

The research project analyses digital disinformation/misinformation and its consequences for democracy and social cohesion. It focuses on how false information is created and spread across digital platforms and how it can influence public opinion and undermine trust in democratic institutions. You can read more about the project here.

We seek a postdoctoral researcher interested in working with combinations of data-driven methods (Computational Social Science/digital humanities) and critical interpretive approaches such as discourse analysis. The research is conducted within the framework of our research group in digital sociology, which is also part of DIGSUM, Centre for Digital Social Research. As a postdoctoral researcher in our environment, you are expected to conduct your research within the scope of the project’s area of interest, independently and in collaboration with colleagues.

One of the most dramatic challenges in the life of a plant occurs when the seedling emerges from the soil and exposure to light triggers expression of genes required for establishment of photosynthesis. Signals from the plastids play a major part in controlling this dangerous process through a negative GUN1-mediated retrograde signal which restricts chloroplast development by regulating the transcription of several critical transcription factors linked to light response, photomorphogenesis, and chloroplast development. Within this project we will investigate the mechanisms behind the regulation of the GUN1 protein itself  during the greening process. 

The establishment of photosynthetic activity drives a cellular shift from requiring external energy sources for growth and development to becoming a supplier of energy to support growth of new developing tissues. Changes to intracellular metabolism confer widespread variations in epigenetic pattern. However, the challenge is to understand how fluctuations in metabolic state control chromatin modifications. We will address this question by investigating the dynamics of global chromatin organization in response to the establishment of photosynthesis, a process that causes major changes to the cellular metabolic activity. The postdoc will be involved in a large project where we identify the proteins such as transcription factors or chromatin remodellers associated with specific histone modifications. 

The appointment is supported by the TAIGA Focus Areas in: Art & AI led by UmArts, and CELS Critical, Ethical, Legal and Social aspects of AI. UmArts is also leading the WASP-HS supported Art & AI programme which includes Guest Professor Sarah Cook and two current postdoctoral researchers in Architecture, Art, Design and AI.  

TAIGA is a cross-faculty center at Umeå University, dedicated to advancing the field of artificial intelligence through transdisciplinary collaboration for the betterment of society. Taiga provides venues, activities, and support to inspire and guide researchers, educators, and students in AI research. Our objective is to establish a platform and community for AI research at Umeå University that prioritizes – AI for The Good of All. 

Worldwide, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori persistently infects half of the human population. In some individuals, the infection causes peptic ulcer disease or gastric cancer. If left untreated, the infection will persist for a lifetime, and probably contributes to changes in the gastric environment. We have molecularly described mechanisms that contribute to H. pylori fine-tuning of gene expression both in vivo and in vitro. Using the H. pylori inflammation-associated adhesion protein SabA as model system, this project aims to further unravel the molecular mechanisms for how H. pylori responds to key environmental factors in the gastric environment. This project employs genetic, molecular biology and biochemical approaches to analyze the bacterial responses, with a significant focus on DNA-protein interactions. The project will contribute to better understanding of H. pylori regulatory mechanisms. Our research is also relevant and applicable in other bacterial species, particularly those with small genomes and a limited set of transcriptional regulators.

This project will use the EBI/EMBL AlphaFold Protein Structure Database and Dali Protein Structure Database Comparison Server to predict the function of conserved hypothetical Plasmodium proteins. Based on in silico structure-functional predictions the successful candidate will select up to 10 proteins to study in-depth. Firstly, reverse genetics will be used to epitope-tag the proteins followed by microscopy and proteomics to study protein localisation and interaction partners. Secondly, the proteins will be expressed and biochemically characterised in vitro.

In the research project VisA (Visualisation of the Atmosphere), the goal is to develop new ways to visualize space and to stimulate interest and learning in natural sciences and technology, especially among young people. It particularly focuses on space near Earth where phenomena arise from the interaction between solar particles and the Earth’s magnetic field, such as the Northern Lights.

The project utilizes data from multiple sources to visualize space near Earth. EISCAT3D, a radar facility currently being finalized at three locations in northern Sweden, Finland, and Norway, is one of the primary sources. EISCAT uses radar technology to gather data on processes occurring in the atmosphere and ionosphere. Other data sources include observations from satellites or from Earth. These datasets provide information on the complex systems in the atmosphere and the interaction between solar particles and the Earth’s magnetic field, such as the Northern Lights and space weather, as well as meteor incidents and climate issues. In the VisA project, this information will be made accessible through interactive visualization, allowing both researchers and the general public to discover and explore the phenomena and processes occurring in Earth’s nearby space.

The postdoctor will be part of the subproject Mechanisms Underlying Benefits of Active Learning with Feedback: From Basic Science to the Classroom. The project adopts a translational research approach to examine the influence of active learning on memory plasticity across human and animal subjects. The project focuses on learning processes that are relevant in educational contexts and encompasses a diverse range of methodologies, including behavioral studies, brain imaging techniques, as well as studies using animal models. The project is aimed at elucidating both the direct and indirect impacts of active learning on cognitive processes and behavior. The postdoctoral candidate will work with researchers from various fields and can be involved in animal and human lab experiments, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) or other brain imaging techniques as well as classroom studies. The details of the appointment will be determined together with postdoctoral supervisors, depending on the specific interests and competencies of the applicant and the needs of the project. Regardless of specific research questions, the work will include analyses and interpretation of quantitative data.

The person employed as a postdoctoral fellow will conduct their own research in the field of gender studies with an educational focus on the theme: How can a safe teaching role be supported in times of hatred and threats and increasingly polarized ideals of knowledge? Safe spaces and polarizing ideals of knowledge have been burning questions in the gender research field for many years. How we handle safe learning environments is a central question for the entire education sector, but is posed based on our experiences of hate and threats directed towards Gender Studies. During 2022–2023, the Umeå Center for Gender Studies conducted a pedagogical development project concerning safe spaces focusing on the students’ experience of safety in online teaching. In this project, we want to direct the focus towards the teachers’ situation.

The research proposal must be described by the applicant in a research plan attached to the application for the position. As a postdoc, you are also expected to contribute to the unit’s common research environment and to be part of and contribute to the educational environment. Teaching and supervision at undergraduate and graduate level and possibly doctoral level, as well as certain other research-related administrative tasks may be included to a maximum of 20% of the working time.

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.

Radiotherapy plays a critical role in the fight against cancer and is used in about half of all cancer cases. Its aim is to precisely target radiation to cancer cells, while trying to minimise damage to surrounding tissues and organs at risk as much as possible.

Today’s radiotherapy presents several challenges, most of which relate to how treatment can be tailored to each individual patient. A key part of this is to accurately segment tumours and risk areas in images of the patient. Recently, artificial intelligence tools have revolutionised this traditionally time-consuming task by offering automated segmentation. However, there is still much to explore, such as how these models can be applied to real-time segmentation during patient movement, and how uncertainties can be calculated and used to develop more robust treatment methods.

The aim of the project is to investigate whether, by introducing easily applied ultrasound examinations and interpretation of images of the carotid artery in primary care, it is possible to identify and visualize thickenings and so-called plaques that indicate atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the project aims to, based on these visualized plaques, together with patients, and based on their health literacy and social situation, discuss risks and possible lifestyle changes as well as any need for drug treatment to reduce risks for future related cardiovascular disease. 

The project is interdisciplinary and the research group consists of researchers with expertise in various fields such as nursing, general medicine, epidemiology-health economy, physiotherapy, sports medicine and medical technology.

The Department of Computing Science is characterized by world-leading research in a multitude of scientific fields and is ranked highly in international comparisons. The department has been growing rapidly in recent years, with a focus on creating an inclusive and bottom-up driven research environment. To further strengthen our numbers, we are now looking for a postdoctor in Responsible Artificial Intelligence with focus on Transparency. Our workplace consists of a diverse set of people from different nationalities, background and fields. If you work as a postdoctor with us, you receive the benefits of support in career development, networking, administrative and technical support functions, along with good employment conditions. More information about the department is available at: https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-computing-science/

 

(18) Postdoctoral Fellowship Position

Postdoc Fellowship Position summary/title: Post doctor (2 years) position with focus on secure federated learning

Deadline : 2024-02-28

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