Summary
The Department of Medical and Translational Biology at Umeå University is offering a full-time, two-year postdoctoral fellowship in experimental research. The project focuses on the musculotendinous system, investigating mechanisms that regulate tendon healing and the functional communication between muscle and tendon cells. This translational research combines advanced in vitro models with analyses of blood samples from individuals to understand how systemic factors influence tendon healing and to establish foundations for future clinical pilot studies.
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Experimental Research on the Musculotendinous System
Designation
Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Area
Experimental research focusing on the musculotendinous system, including:
- Tendon healing mechanisms
- Functional communication between muscle and tendon cells
- Muscle cell secretome during mechanical loading and unloading
- Wound-healing processes (cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, collagen production, matrix organization)
- Inflammatory processes in tendon healing
- Large-scale omics approaches (RNA sequencing, proteomics)
- Translational research combining in vitro models with human blood sample analysis
Location
Umeå, Sweden
Eligibility/Qualification
Required Qualifications:
- PhD degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a PhD. This must be fulfilled by the time of the fellowship recipient decision.
- Priority is given to candidates who obtained their PhD no more than three years prior to the application deadline (exceptions for special grounds like illness, parental leave, etc.).
- Documented experience contributing to challenging and productive research.
- Good oral and written communication skills in English.
- Ability to take initiative and work both independently and as part of a team.
Advantageous Qualifications:
- Strong background in experimental research.
- Experience with molecular and biochemical laboratory techniques (qPCR, immunochemistry, Western blotting).
- Experience with primary cell culture of human muscle and tendon cells or similar cell types.
- Experience with co-culture systems involving different cell types.
- Prior experience with clinical exercise studies.
Job Description
The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to a research project aiming to characterize and identify factors within the muscle cell secretome and elucidate their role in tendon healing and signaling pathways. Key responsibilities and opportunities for qualification include:
- Establishment, isolation, culture, and differentiation of primary human muscle, tendon, and inflammatory cells.
- Application of in vitro models for mechanical loading of muscle cells.
- Development and use of three-dimensional in vitro models for tendon formation and healing.
- Utilizing omics techniques (sample preparation, data analysis, interpretation for RNA sequencing and proteomics).
- Protein analyses using methods such as Western blot and ELISA.
- Gene expression analysis, including quantitative PCR (qPCR).
- Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry (tissue preparation, sectioning, staining).
- Microscopic analyses with a focus on confocal microscopy and image analysis.
- Contributions to study design, method development, and selection of analytical strategies.
- Visualization and presentation of data, and participation in writing scientific publications.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted in English or Swedish via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system, Varbi. Required documents:
- Cover letter (max. 1 page): Clearly describing research experience, motivation, and how expertise matches requirements.
- Curriculum vitae (CV, max. 2 pages) and publication list (max. 5 pages).
- Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate: Or documentation clarifying when the degree is expected.
- Contact information of two references.
Last Date for Apply
October 1st, 2026
Apply Link
