Postdoctoral position in Molecular Systems Biology: Chromosome structure in Mycobacteria Full-time

Postdoctoral Position in Molecular Systems Biology: Chromosome Structure in Mycobacteria

Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Faculty of Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology

Do you want to be part of groundbreaking research, supported by skilled and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer committed to creating a fun, sustainable working environment? Join us as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Uppsala University! The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology is organized into seven research programmes which all focus on different areas of cell and molecular biology: Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biophysics, Molecular Evolution, Molecular Systems Biology and Structural Biology. The scientific basis of what we do lies in biology, but our research overlaps with other areas such as medicine, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, engineering sciences and physics. In total, we are over 200 staff and ~60 Ph.D. students. Please read more about the department's work at https://www.uu.se/en/department/cell-and-molecular-biology. This position is based in Johan Elf's research group at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology. The Elf group works across traditional disciplinary boundaries to explore life at the molecular level. We build physical models of key biological processes and develop advanced measurement techniques to test these models in living cells. The detailed knowledge of bacterial physiology is combined with the sensitive measurement tools to develop innovative solutions for bacterial diagnostics. How bacteria organize their DNA and how this structure influences gene expression remain open questions. This project focuses on the structure–function relationship of the bacterial chromosome in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the pathogen causing Tuberculosis. In Mtb, chromosome dynamics are linked to several of the pathogen's most distinctive and clinically problematic features. The bacterium grows extremely slowly, sometimes inside host macrophages, where it encounters oxidative stress, acidic environments, and host‑derived antimicrobial factors. Large-scale chromosomal reorganization may support activation of stress regulons and the shift toward dormancy, which is directly linked to M. tuberculosis's profound antibiotic tolerance. Understanding chromosome dynamics is central to deciphering persistence, treatment failure, and the unique physiology of this global killer.

Duties As a Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular Systems Biology, you will develop and apply cutting-edge methods to image and analyze the dynamics of individual chromosomes. Your work will involve high-resolution fluorescence microscopy in advanced microfluidic systems as well as adapted Hi-C protocols. Data handling and analysis will be a major and exciting part of the role, providing an opportunity to work at the intersection of experimental biology and computational science. The position is full-time research, but teaching opportunities are available if you are interested, and you will have excellent opportunities to network with leading research labs in Sweden and internationally. You are expected to drive your project independently while enjoying the freedom to develop your own ideas within the overall framework of the project. We offer a stimulating, interdisciplinary environment where you will collaborate closely with experts in microbiology, biophysics, microscopy, image analysis, and molecular biology.

Requirements PhD degree, or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree, in systems biology, biophysics, molecular biology, microbiology, or another relevant field. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed their degree no more than three years before the deadline for applications. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc. We are looking for a researcher with strong knowledge in molecular biology or microbiology, but most importantly, someone who is comfortable working at the interface between experimental and computational biology. Excellent skills in data analysis and programming are essential. You should be creative, self-motivated, and passionate about fundamental research and method development. Because the project involves close collaboration within the group, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate fluently in English are required.

Desirable qualifications Experience in microscopy, image analysis, and/or AI is highly meritorious, as is previous experience with strain construction, preferably in M. tuberculosis.

About the employment The employment is a temporary position of at least two years, and at most three years, according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Irmeli Barkefors +46 709 701 199, irmeli.barkefors@icm.uu.se Please submit your application by May 4th, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/1167.