Umea University Postdoctoral Scholarship in Mitochondrial Research

The Umea University Postdoctoral Scholarship is a fully funded fellowship in Mitochondrial Protein Quality Control at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics in Sweden, funded by the Kempe Foundations and starting January 2027. The selected postdoctoral fellow joins the Andreas Kohler Laboratory, working on a project titled Integrating Mitochondrial Protein Quality Control (PQC) with OXPHOS Biogenesis. The research examines how PQC systems maintain mitochondrial function during ageing, particularly in mitochondrially encoded proteins, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model and applying biochemical, proteomic, and flow-cytometry techniques. The scholarship is a full-time fellowship lasting 8 months and provides a tax-free Kempe postdoctoral stipend, hands-on training in advanced biochemical and proteomic methods, mentorship from senior researchers, and access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. To qualify, applicants must hold a PhD obtained within the last 3 years in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related field, and have first-authorship publications in peer-reviewed journals; experience with mitochondrial biology, S. cerevisiae, flow cytometry, and molecular cloning is preferred. The fellowship is open to all nationalities. Applications are submitted through Umea University's Varbi recruitment system by 18 October 2026 (21:59 UTC). Because the stipend amount and exact dates are set by the funder each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and deadline on the official Umea University vacancies page before applying.

What's covered

• Postdoctoral stipend — A tax-free Kempe Foundations postdoctoral stipend covering the 8-month fellowship, indicatively around ~EUR 24,000 to EUR 28,000 (est.) for the period; the exact amount is set by the funder.
• Research training — Hands-on experience with cutting-edge biochemical, proteomic, and flow-cytometry techniques in mitochondrial research.
• Mentorship — Supervision and mentorship from leading researchers in the Andreas Kohler Laboratory at Umea University.
• Laboratory access — Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
• Research environment — A collaborative and inclusive research environment with networking across the university's molecular and cell biology groups.

How to apply

Applications are submitted online through Umea University's Varbi recruitment system before the published deadline.

1. Review the position — Read the full call on the Umea University vacancies page and confirm you meet the PhD, publication, and skills requirements.
2. Prepare your documents — Assemble a cover letter (max 2 pages), CV with publication list, degree certificate, thesis, transcripts, and referee details.
3. Register in Varbi — Create an account in Umea University's Varbi recruitment system and start a new application for the fellowship.
4. Upload and submit — Upload all required documents and submit the application before the deadline of 18 October 2026 (21:59 UTC).