Associate Professor in Biochemistry Full-time

Associate Professor in Biochemistry

Uppsala University, Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences

Do you want to be part of an outstanding research environment in protein biochemistry and move your research forward at Sweden's largest faculty of science and technology?

We are now looking for an Associate Professor in Biochemistry specialising in Protein Biochemistry who wishes to be involved in developing and strengthening our research and education at the Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences, Uppsala University.

Biochemistry is a core area at the Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences and a central part of the Faculty of Science and Technology's life science profile. You will be part of the Biochemistry programme, which conducts outstanding research in the area of understanding the chemical and molecular principles that govern biological systems, with particular emphasis on the structure, function, dynamics, interactions, evolution and catalytic mechanisms of proteins.

The recruitment is strategically important for maintaining and renewing internationally competitive research and education in protein biochemistry. The field is developing rapidly through the integration of advanced experimental methodology, large-scale data, AI-based models and new concepts for understanding, designing and modulating protein function. The successful candidate will contribute to strengthening the programme's established profile in molecular recognition, protein structure and dynamics, enzymatic mechanisms, protein engineering and/or interactomics, while also helping to develop new areas of research.

The position offers excellent opportunities to build an internationally leading research group in a strong and collaborative environment. The successful candidate will be able to develop synergies with existing activities in biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, enzymology, interaction analysis, protein engineering and computational molecular life science.

We are based at the Biomedical centre (BMC). The research environment provides extensive opportunities for collaboration. Within the department, there are close links to analytical and organic chemistry, the NMR Centre and the Centre for Chemical Mechanism of Life. Within the faculty, there are strong connections to the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology. The position also offers excellent opportunities for collaboration with SciLifeLab, the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Medicine.

The subject area of the position is experimental biochemistry, with specialisation in protein biochemistry.

Protein biochemistry concerns the molecular and chemical principles that govern the structure, function, dynamics, interactions, evolution and catalytic mechanisms of proteins. The subject area includes experimental and/or computational studies of proteins and their roles in biological systems. Relevant areas may include molecular recognition, protein structure and dynamics, enzymology, protein engineering, protein design, directed evolution of protein function, interactomics and/or multimodal analysis.

The position is intended to strengthen and renew research and education in protein biochemistry and to contribute to the continued development of molecular life science at the Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences and the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Duties

• Research. Research includes to conduct independent, internationally competitive research in biochemistry. This includes establishing and leading a research group, publishing in high-quality scientific journals, actively applying for external grants, and contributing to the scientific renewal of the biochemistry programme. The research may involve advanced experimental biochemistry, molecular interaction analysis, interactomics, enzymology, protein structure and dynamics, protein engineering, rational protein and enzyme design, directed protein evolution, biologics, targeted protein degradation or stabilisation and/or sustainable biocatalysis.
• Teaching. Teaching includes responsibility for courses, course administration and supervision of doctoral students. Teaching includes to teach, in English and Swedish, at first-cycle, second-cycle and third-cycle levels in biochemistry and related areas, with particular responsibility for teaching in protein biochemistry, enzymology, protein structure and function, molecular interactions and biochemical methodology. If you are initially unable to teach in Swedish, Swedish-language training aimed at achieving this proficiency will be included in your duties. The duties also include supervision of degree projects and doctoral students, development of courses and teaching materials, and linking current research to teaching.
• Administration. Participate in the general academic duties of the Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences. This includes serving on committees, taking on responsibilities beyond your own research and teaching assignments, contributing to the evaluation and development of teaching and research activities, working collaboratively with colleagues, and providing support and constructive feedback to colleagues.
• Keeping up to date in your subject area and following developments in society that are relevant to your work at Uppsala University.

In choosing between eligible candidates, emphasis will primarily be given to both research and teaching expertise, which will be accorded equal weight. In addition, attention will be given to administrative, and management expertise.

Qualifications required

• a PhD in biochemistry or another closely related subject area of relevance to protein biochemistry research.
• research expertise in protein biochemistry. The applicant must have demonstrated the ability to conduct high-quality independent research of relevance to the subject area, including a strong publication record and a clear research profile in experimental protein biochemistry or closely related areas. In addition to academic qualifications, research qualifications from other activities may also be taken into account, such as development of technology and capacity for innovation.
• teaching expertise in biochemistry or closely related subject areas, with relevance to protein biochemistry, including demonstrated ability to plan, carry out, evaluate and develop teaching at university level. In addition to academic qualifications, educational and instructional qualifications from other activities may also be taken into account, such as supervision, internal training or mentoring programmes.
• completed at least ten weeks of teacher training for higher education of relevance to the organisation and its activities, or be considered to have acquired the equivalent knowledge. The required training for teachers in higher education may be completed during the first two years of employment if there are special reasons.
• a documented ability to teach in Swedish or English.
• an ability to work with other people and otherwise meet the demands of suitability required to perform the duties well.
• an ability to link research to teaching, based on the subject concerned, subject didactics and teaching and learning in higher education, and to interact on issues of teaching and learning in higher education with actors within and outside the University.
• a documented ability to obtain external grants.
• documented skills and expertise in experimental protein biochemistry, such as molecular interaction analysis, enzymology, protein structure and dynamics, protein engineering, directed evolution, protein or enzyme design, and biochemical method development.
• documented ability to develop and lead research activities, including supervision of students and early-career researchers.
• research and teaching expertise or other professional expertise. The teaching expertise, research expertise and professional expertise must be relevant to the subject area and the duties that the position involves.

Other desirable/valuable qualifications

• research expertise that complements and strengthens existing activities within biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, enzymology, interaction analysis, protein engineering and computational molecular life science.
• research expertise in AI-/machine-learning-supported protein analysis or design.
• demonstrated scientific impact.
• documented ability to initiate and develop interdisciplinary collaborations within academia and with external partners
• documented ability to communicate research and teaching to students, researchers, stakeholders and the wider community.
• documented administrative expertise. Administrative proficiency includes the ability to plan, organise and prioritise work, and to work in a structured manner with due attention to quality and objectives.
• documented management expertise. Developing, coordinating and leading operations and staff.

About the position: This is an open-ended appointment (a probationary period may apply). The position is full-time(100%). Starting date August 1st 2027 or as agreed. Place of work: Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences, BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala

Further information about the position is available from: Professor Ylva Ivarsson, +46-18-471 4038, ylva.ivarsson@kemi.uu.se

We look forward to receiving your application by November 20 2026, UFV-PA 2026/1715.

In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.