Assistant Professor in Data driven Epidemiology and Infection Biology
Umeå University
Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest institutions of higher education with over 35,000 students and 4,200 faculty and staff. We are characterised by world-leading research in several scientific fields and a multitude of educations ranked highly in international comparison. Umeå University is also the site of the pioneering discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic scissors – a revolution in genetic engineering that has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
At Umeå University, everything is nearby. Our cohesive campus environment makes it easy to meet, collaborate and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture where we rejoice in each other’s successes.
Together with SciLifeLab and in collaboration with the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), the university’s Faculties of Medicine and Science and Technology announce the appointment of an assistant professor. This appointment offers a unique opportunity to establish oneself as a researcher in the field of data-driven life science and includes access to a formidable package of resources.
Project description: DDLS Fellows Program
The SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) is a 12-year initiative funded with a total of 3,1 billion SEK from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The purpose of the program is to recruit and train the next generation of researchers in data-driven life science and to create data-driven life scientists and to create globally leading computational and data science capabilities in life science in Sweden.
The program will recruit 39 eminent junior group leaders as DDLS Fellows, launch over 210 postdoctoral positions and establish a research school for 260 PhDs, within both academia and industry. The program is coordinated by SciLifeLab, a nationwide research infrastructure and a hub for cross-disciplinary life sciences. The Fellows will be recruited to the 11 participating host universities/organizations, enabling them to link up with strong local research environments as well as with the national DDLS program. The DDLS program promotes collaborative interdisciplinary work and engagement with industry, healthcare and other national and international partners, such as WASP, with the aim of bridging the life science and data science communities.
The DDLS program will focus on four strategic areas of data-driven research: cell and molecular biology, evolution and biodiversity, precision medicine and diagnostics, epidemiology and infection biology. We are now looking for the first 20 junior group leaders to join us as DDLS Fellows.
Each DDLS Fellow will receive a recruitment package of 17 MSEK, which is meant to cover 5 years of his/her own salary, two PhD students and two postdoc positions, as well as running costs. The Fellow positions are tenure-track, and the universities/organizations will assume the long-term responsibility of their support as tenured faculty.
The future of life science is data-driven. Will you be leading that change with us? Then apply now!
Subject description and duties
Data driven epidemiology and infection biology
The subject area concerns research that will use big experimental, clinical, or pathogen surveillance data in innovative ways to transform our understanding of pathogens, their interactions with hosts and the environment, and how they are transmitted through populations. The priority area covers computational analysis or predictive modelling of pathogen-host systems for which multidimensional, genome-scale experimental data are now available and extends to using population-scale genetic, clinical, or public health data from pathogen surveillance efforts and biobanks.
We are looking for an outstanding researcher to become a DDLS fellow in the area of data-driven epidemiology and infection biology at Umeå University who will
(1) apply innovative computational methods to biomolecular datasets, for instance from genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic or structural biology experiments, in ways that transform our understanding of pathogens, their interactions with hosts and the environment, or that may lead to the discovery of new antimicrobial or antiviral strategies.
or
(2) who will advance the limits of analysing biobank and clinical data in order to, for example, for instance to understand human susceptibility to infection, disease severity, disease complications, long-term prognosis or vaccine outcome.
The purpose of this appointment as assistant professor is to provide you with every opportunity to conduct successful research within the above-described field, to develop as an autonomous researcher and research leader and to acquire further scientific and teaching qualifications in the discipline of data-driven precision medicine and diagnostics in order to meet the requirements for appointment as an associate professor. The position will mainly (at least 80%) be focused on obtaining scientific merits, with the remaining time largely devoted to obtaining teaching merits. Administrative tasks may also be included.
Eligibility/requirements
Eligible to apply for this appointment as assistant professor is a person who has completed a PhD or has the corresponding research expertise. Primary consideration should be given to a person who has completed a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise within five years of the deadline for application for this employment as assistant professor. However, a person who has completed a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special circumstances. Special circumstances are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances (Chapter 4 Section 4a of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance).
Assessment criteria
In assessing suitability for this appointment, primary consideration shall be given to research qualifications/merits. In addition, pedagogical skills and administrative skills will also be taken into account.
General assessment criteria for research/teaching staff at Umeå University are that the applicant has both a good ability to collaborate and the requisite competence and suitability in general to perform the duties of the post to a high standard.
Description of the assessment criteria
In assessing research expertise, specific consideration shall be given to the originality and autonomy of research and the potential for the applicant to develop his/her own successful line of research within data-driven precision medicine and diagnostics. Postdoctoral research conducted outside the university at which the applicant completed their PhD provides a particularly valued qualification.
In assessing teaching expertise, consideration will be given to the planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching, as well as to academic supervision and examinations.
Administrative skills can be demonstrated through experience of planning first and second-cycle courses and programmes, the ability to lead and help other to develop, etc.
For this appointment, a particularly valued qualification is provided by experience of research in the field of data-driven life science, especially specialisation in epidemiology and infection biology, and the applicant is expected to have a research profile that fits the purpose of the appointment.
More about the appointment
Organisationally, the position in question will be affiliated to either the Faculty of Medicine or Faculty of Science and Technology. Departmental affiliation will be decided in consultation with the successful candidate, based on where their research best fits. Please feel free to state your preferred department in your application.
Link to website with information on potential host departments, WCMM and available infrastructure. https://www.umu.se/en/wallenberg-centre-for-molecular-medicine/ddls-infection/
The position is a five-year, full-time, fixed-term appointment pursuant to Chapter 4 Section 12a of the Higher Education Ordinance, with the right to be considered for promotion to associate professor. The criteria for promotion shall be determined no later than the start of employment. An application to be considered for promotion must be submitted six months before the end of the fixed-term appointment. If, after due consideration, it is decided not to promote an assistant professor, the fixed-term appointment shall be terminated.
A teaching and research development plan shall be drawn up in conjunction with the appointment and one teaching and two research mentors shall be appointed to support the successful candidate in implementing this plan.
Application
Last date of application is 2021-09-05. Instructions for the application and a list of the documents to be attached to the application can be found here: https://www.aurora.umu.se/en/units/faculty-of-medicine/human-resources/academic-positions-and-docentship/
Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment.
We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.
Contract type | Full time |
---|---|
First day of employment | According to agreements |
Salary | Monthly salary |
Number of positions | 1 |
Working hours | 100 % |
City | Umeå |
County | Västerbottens län |
Country | Sweden |
Reference number | AN 2.2.1-942-21 |
Contact | Research coordinator, WCMM Mikael Stiernstedt, mikael.stiernstedt@umu.se |
Union representative | SACO, 090-786 53 65 SEKO, 090-786 52 96 ST, 090-786 54 31 |
Published | 14.Jun.2021 |
Last application date | 05.Sep.2021 11:59 PM CET |