Post doctor in NMR-based structural biology

 Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest institutions of higher education with over 37,000 students and 4,800 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.

Are you interested in knowing more about Umeå University as a workplace read more at: Work with us.

The Department of Chemistry seeks a postdoctor for structure determination of membrane-bound proteins of the Bcl-2 family involved in apoptosis. The employment is full-time for two years with access January 1st, 2023 or by agreement. Last day to apply is 30th November 2022.

Project description and working tasks 
This postdoctoral position is part of a Swedish council financed research project to unravel the regulation of programmed cell death at the molecular level with focus on the structure of the proteins and biological membranes involved in this important process. Important key players in the mitochondrial (intrinsic) cell death pathway are membrane-active proteins of the Bcl-2 family. The main objective of this project is to understand the function - and underlying structural properties - of these proteins and their interactions with the mitochondrial membrane environment. For this purpose we will use structural biological methods focusing on solid-state NMR spectroscopy of lipid-protein complexes, complemented by liquid-state NMR. In addition, we will also use neutron reflectometry on these lipid protein complexes). You will primarily study the membrane bound Bcl-2 proteins and their mutual interactions.  In addition, you will also be supporting NMR based work on human protein kinases which can be involved in human cancer, in part, through their regulation of Bcl-2 proteins.

The Department of Chemistry offers access to an excellent research infrastructure within the KBC environment (www.kbc.umu.se) with access to solid phase/liquid 850 MHz NMR and neutron sources in Europe (mainly ESS/ISIS). You will work with thriving small teams in a large interdisciplinary environment with excellent infrastructure.

Qualifications 
To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organisations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area. Postdoctoral fellows who are to teach or supervise must have taken relevant courses in teaching and learning in higher education.
The doctoral degree should be within chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry or an equivalent subject area. 

Previous extensive experience of protein structure determination by solid-state/liquid NMR is required.  You shall have a keen interest in the area of NMR-based structural biology and be prepared to take on scientific and technological challenges. Good knowledge of English, both written and spoken, and a very good ability to write scientific publications is required. You must be creative with good teamwork skills, be initiative-driven and have a high degree of independence. 
Training and/or experience in biochemistry, structural biology and/or biophysical chemistry, as well as neutron scattering on biological samples are considered as strong merits. Previous experience with membrane proteins is highly meriting. Insight in other structural biology methods and/or biophysical approaches is of advantage.

Application 
A complete application should contain the following documents:

  •  A cover letter including a description of your qualifications, research interests and motivation for applying, and your contact information (maximum 2 pages)
  • A curriculum vitae, including a publication list
  • Copies of your PhD thesis and relevant publications
  • Verified copies of degree certificates or equivalent alternatively documentation providing information on when doctoral degree is expected to be obtained, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades
  • Name and contact information of at least two reference persons 

The application can be written in Swedish or English. Applications must be submitted via our electronic recruiting system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. The closing date is 30 November 2022

For more information please contact Professor Gerhard Gröbner, phone: +4690-7866346, email: gerhard.grobner@umu.se.

Information about the department
Department of Chemistry is the largest department in the Faculty of Science and Technology, with approximately 200 employees, including about 40 doctoral students, and with a strong and expanding research. Three major areas of research; Biological Chemistry, Environmental and Biogeochemistry and Technical Chemistry, represents the research and chemistry education of our department. We are also a strong partner in KBC, The Chemical-Biological Centre. For more information about working at Umeå University: www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/. At Umeå University we have a vibrant postdoc community that brings together postdoc across disciplines by arranging carrier promoting activities (umeapostdocsociety.se).

Information box

Admission

2023-01-01, or by agreement

Salary

Monthly

Apply before

2022-11-30

Registration number

AN 2.2.1-1275-22

Contact

Gerhard Gröbner

090-7866346

Union representative

SACO

090-7865365

SEKO

090-7865296

ST

090-7865431


Post doctor position focussed on methylmercury formation in oxygen deficient coastal seas

 The Department of Chemistry is hiring a biogeochemistry postdoc for a research project on the formation of methylmercury in oxygen deficient coastal seas. The employment is full-time for two years with starting date 1st of February 2023, or by agreement. 

Project description and working tasks 
You will be part of a team studying processes for the formation of methylmercury in oxygen deficient coastal environments with a focus on how microbial community composition, chemical speciation of mercury and molecular composition of organic matter control this process.

Mercury accumulates in aquatic biota as neurotoxic methylmercury and is of concern for global public health. Oxygen deficiency is spreading in coastal seas and the global ocean which could increase methylmercury formation by anaerobic microorganisms and thereby increase methylmercury exposure to marine food webs. Our understanding of the mechanisms and drivers for methylmercury formation under such scenarios is however insufficient, hindering quantitative predictions and risk management.

Together with the research team, you will plan and carry out field samplings of water and biota in brackish (The Baltic Sea) and marine (Norwegian fjords) coastal environments. You will further carry out methylation rate incubation experiments with enriched isotope tracers in connection to field samplings and, together with collaborators, prepare samples for metagenomics and metatranscriptomics analyses. You will determine mercury and methylmercury concentrations and use thermodynamic modelling to assess the chemical speciation of mercury. You will also be responsible for writing scientific publications and presentations of results at seminars / conferences.

The postdoctoral project is funded by grants from the Swedish research council Formas (www.formas.se). The project will be led by Prof. Erik Björn (https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/erik-bjorn-lab/) and carried out by an international team of researchers in biogeochemistry and environmental microbiology. 

Qualifications 
Required qualifications: 
To qualify for this postdoctoral position candidates should have a doctorate degree, or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate degree, in biogeochemistry, environmental microbiology, oceanography, environmental sciences or an equivalent subject area. Your doctorate degree should preferably have a focus on mercury biogeochemistry. Priority should be given to candidates who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the closing date of the application. A candidate who has completed their degree prior to this may be considered if special circumstances exist. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, parental leave or clinical practice, appointments of trust in trade unions or similar circumstances. 

You have experience of and an interest in experimental research. You should have a good ability to take initiative and collaborate and be flexible to changes within the project. In your work, you should have a focus on high quality and a good ability to solve problems analytically. A very good knowledge in written and spoken English is required. Experience of field sampling, work with natural water samples, experiments with enriched isotope tracers, environmental analyses with MS techniques and GC-ICPMS techniques are meritorious. 

Application 
A complete application must contain

  • Personal letter of a maximum of two A4 pages describing your qualifications, research interests, why you are applying for the position and how your research experiences fit with the announced position,
  • CV and list of publications,
  • Certified copy of doctoral certificate,
  • Certified copies of other relevant diplomas, academic course certificates and / or grades,
  • If possible, electronic links to doctoral thesis and a maximum of 5 relevant publications (please do not attach pdf-files of theses or publications),
  • Contact details for two reference persons,
  • Other documents that you want to invoke.

The application must be written in English or Swedish. The application is submitted through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Last day to apply is 30th of November 2022.

Further information is provided by Prof. Erik Björn, erik.bjorn@umu.se.

Department of Chemistry
The Department of Chemistry is the largest department within the Faculty of Science and Technology and has about 200 employees, of which about 40 are postdocs, and with a strong and expanding research. Three major research areas, Biological Chemistry, Environmental and Biogeochemistry and Technical Chemistry bring together the department's research and education in chemistry. We are also a strong partner within the KBC, Chemical-Biological Centre, at Umeå University. You will work in a research environment that offers a strong focus and depth in biogeochemistry and microbiology, but also a wide range of expertise and research infrastructure within the KBC environment.

Furthermore, the postdoc communities both at Umeå University (https://umeapostdocsociety.se/) and internationally within mercury research (https://mersorcium.github.io/) are highly active and contribute to a vibrant research environment and network.

Information box

Admission

2023-02-01 or by agreement

Salary

Monthly

Apply before

2022-11-30

Registration number

AN 2.2.1-1491-22

Contact

Erik Björn

090-7865189

Union representative

SACO

090-7865365

SEKO

090-7865296

ST

090-7865431


Postdoctoral position at Wallenberg Centre for molecular medicine

 Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest institutions of higher education with over 37,000 students and 4,800 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.

Are you interested in knowing more about Umeå University as a workplace read more at: Work with us.

Surgical and Perioperative Science is looking for a postdoctoral fellow for analyses of circulating tumour cells at the single-cell level. The position is located in the "Translational Research Centre" in building 6M at Umeå University/Umeå hospital. The position is full-time for two years starting on January 1st 2023 or as agreed. Apply by November 30 at the latest.

Description of the project

Our research group works interdisciplinary from preclinical to clinical studies, "bench-to-bedside", within the Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine (WCMM). Our goal is to find good biomarkers for individualized treatment through characterization of cells from tissue and blood. And find treatable mechanisms for metastatic prostate cancer.

By isolating circulating tumour cells (CTC), immune cells, exosomes and cell-free DNA from the blood, we study metastasis in prostate cancer. By characterizing CTCs with RNA and DNA sequencing at the single cell level, we want to identify the CTC heterogeneity in patients with metastatic disease and study early treatment response.

Work responsibilities

Your role will be to set up methods and be responsible for sequencing analyses of patient material from men with prostate cancer. You must be able to work independently and have documented solid experience in experimental research.

Competence

Eligible to be employed as a postdoctoral fellow is someone who has completed a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree, in the subject of biomedical research, biochemistry, molecular biology, or biomedicine. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time at which the employment decision is made.

We are looking for a driven and highly motivated person who has good experience with RNA and DNA sequencing. You should have good knowledge in sequencing techniques such as 10X single cell sequencing, Riboseq, and bioinformatics. You must be able to work independently and have documented solid experience in flow cytometry, sequencing and subsequent data analyses. You must also have experience in laboratory work, be able to summarize and present results at scientific meetings and write scientific publications. A very good knowledge in written and spoken English is required. Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

Additional qualifications

Since appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is a career-development position for junior researchers, we are primarily interested in applicants who completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, an applicant who has completed their degree earlier than that may be considered. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, clinical practice, appointments of trust for a trade union organisation or other similar circumstances, and for relevant duties/assignments within the subject area.

In your work, you should have a focus on high quality and a good ability to solve problems. You should have a good ability to take initiative and collaborate and be flexible to changes within the project.

More information about the position

The appointment is a full-time, fixed-term position for two years in accordance with the terms of contract for fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher from 1 February 2022.

More information about the group's research can be found on our website 

Application

The application must include:

  • A brief description of your research interests and a statement describing why you are interested in the position.
  • CV
  • List of publications
  • Degree certificate from doctoral studies and other relevant degrees
  • Contact details of two reference persons

The application must be written in Swedish or English. The application must be made via our e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received latest 30 November 2022.

For questions about the employment, please contact Associate professor Andreas Josefsson

andreas.josefsson@umu.se

We look forward to receiving your application.

Information box

Salary

Monthly

Apply before

2022-11-30

Registration number

AN 2.2.1-1536-22

Contact

Andreas Josefsson, forskningsledare

andreas.josefsson@umu.se

Union representative

SACO

090-7865365

SEKO

090-7865296

ST

090-7865431


PhD student position in chemistry with a focus in biogeochemistry

 We are recruiting a doctoral student for a fully funded four-year research project on mercury biogeochemistry. The project involves advanced training in microbial biogeochemistry and analytical chemistry. We seek a candidate who is interested in identifying molecular mechanisms for formation of methylmercury in biofilms. Apply by 30th of November 2022.

Working tasks
This research project fully supports a PhD student to study mechanisms for formation of methylmercury in anaerobic microbial biofilms. This work will focus on experimental molecular level studies on mercury uptake and methylation in biofilms.

The spread of mercury in ecosystems constitutes a severe threat to wildlife and human health. The problems are largely caused by formation of neurotoxic methylmercury which accumulates in aquatic food webs. Methylmercury is formed intracellular in a select group of anaerobe microorganisms by methylation of inorganic mercury. However, we still lack a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms for cellular uptake and methylation of mercury.

The PhD education will be carried out within a research project funded by the Swedish Research Council aiming to identify molecular mechanisms for formation of methylmercury in biofilms. The doctoral student will be trained in, and conduct, experimental laboratory work with anaerobic microbial cells and biofilms. A combination of advanced techniques based on microscopy, vibration spectroscopy and mass spectrometry will be used to determine physical and chemical structure and metabolism of biofilms and to determine the chemical form and cellular uptake of mercury. Results from the experimental studies will be combined with thermodynamic and kinetic modeling to understand in detail the processes controlling methylmercury formation.

The major work tasks are to: (i) continuously be updated on the scientific literature of the research field, (ii)  formulate scientific objectives and hypotheses within the project, (iii) plan and conduct advanced laboratory experiments and modeling calculations, (iv) compile and interpret results, (v) present results in oral seminars (including at international conferences) and as scientific publications. The work will be carried out in collaboration with supervisors and other scientists.

Competence requirements
To be admitted for studies at the third-cycle level you are required to have completed a second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level, or have an equivalent education from abroad, or equivalent qualifications.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements to be admitted for studies at third-cycle level in chemistry, you are required to have completed first-cycle courses of at least 90 ECTS credits within the field of chemistry or another subject considered to be directly relevant to the specialization. Of those 90 ECTS credits, at least 15 ECTS credits shall have been acquired at second-cycle level within the specialization or an equivalent subject. Experience of vibration spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and/or work with anaerobe bacteria cultures is meriting but not a requirement.

The successful candidate must have a very good command of written and spoken English. Experience in research related to biogeochemistry or analytical chemistry, for example by a degree work in a research group or similar, is required. You should have a strong interest in advanced experimental work and have a very good capacity to solve complex problems. You should be creative and have a focus on high quality, and you should be flexible and have an ability to persevere through changes and challenges in your work.

Terms of employment
The employment aims at a PhD degree and the main task of the PhD student is to pursue doctoral studies, which includes participation in research projects as well as postgraduate courses. The work task assignments can further include teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20%). The employment is limited to four years full-time or up to five years if including part-time teaching. The salary corresponds to the established salary level for doctoral employment.

Application
A complete application should contain the following documents:

  • A cover letter including a description of your research interests and motivation for applying
  • A Curriculum Vitae
  • Verified copies of degree certificates or equivalent, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades
  • Name and contact information of at least two reference persons

Applications are submitted via our e-recruitment system no later than 30th of November 2022.

For more information please contact Professor Erik Björn, +46 90 7865189, erik.bjorn@umu.se.

About us
The PhD education will be carried out within a collaboration project between two research groups at the Department of Chemistry led by Erik Björn (https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/erik-bjorn-lab/) and Madeleine Ramstedt (https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/madeleine-ramstedt-lab/). Also visit our websites for further information about the PhD education and research at the Department of Chemistry. For more information about working at Umeå University, visit https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/.

Information box

Admission

As soon as possible or by agreement

Salary

Monthly

Apply before

2022-11-30

Registration number

AN 2.2.1-1469-22

Contact

Erik Björn

090-7865189


PhD position in ecology with focus on patterns of change in carbon storage and cycling over time after disturbance in boreal forests

 Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest institutions of higher education with over 37,000 students and 4,800 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.

Are you interested in knowing more about Umeå University as a workplace read more at: Work with us.

The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science (Umeå University, Sweden) invites applicants for a PhD position in forest ecosystem ecology. The position is expected to start during spring of 2023 or according to agreement. Application deadline is December 15, 2022. Welcome with your application!

Project description
Boreal forests play a critical role in the global climate as stores of around a third of global terrestrial carbon. As climate change is particularly rapid across higher latitudes, the effects of climate change on this stored carbon has understandably become a topic of intense societal interest. Despite this, boreal forests have been largely ignored in global policy efforts to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable land management.

Historically, the carbon storage of Scandinavian boreal forest has been shaped over the short-term by periodic wildfire, and evidence is accumulating that climate change is increasing frequency of wildfires. Today, the dominant disturbance factor is large-scale management as part of the forestry industry. Debates about the climate impacts of forestry frequently rely on ideas about the temporal development of carbon uptake and storage over time. We argue that key data are missing from these debates to shed light on the relationships between key ecosystem services, and how these relationships change over the timescale of a managed forest rotation. Therefore, understanding the immediate impact and pattern of recovery from disturbance – and particularly now the effects of clear cutting in modern rotational forestry – is key to projecting future shifts in boreal forest landscapes but remains poorly understood.

To address this gap we seek a PhD student to measure whole ecosystem carbon fluxes and cycling along two contrasting forest age gradients in northern Sweden – one wildfire recovery gradient (spanning 3 and 370 years since wildfire) and one rotation forestry gradient (spanning the full spectrum of a typical 100-year rotation period). The position is part of a wider project (5 researchers, 1 postdoc, 1 phd student at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå and Umeå University) using the gradients to assess trade-offs in ecosystem services over time after disturbance. Further, there is potential to link to another PhD project at Umeå University making similar measurements in Swedish old growth boreal forests.

The PhD project will take approaches to monitoring forest carbon allocation developed in tropical forests, measuring all key carbon fluxes in a repeatable and standardized way over multiple years. Specifically, the work will address the following questions:

  • How does forest carbon uptake and allocation vary over time after disturbance in Scandinavian boreal forests?
  • Are there any different patterns in recovery between the type of initial disturbance (fire vs. clear cut)?
  • What ecological and climatic factors affect patterns of recovery after disturbance?

The project will benefit from a large team of researchers with excellent competence in the broad range of topics covered in the proposal (forest inventory, soil science, micrometerology, and community ecology) who have developed the project in close dialogue with key stakeholders (Sveaskog and the Forest Stewardship Council).

This will allow us to deliver the exact data needed to help resolve societal debates and guide management and land use decisions.

Qualifications
To be admitted for studies at third-cycle level the applicant is required to have completed a second cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level, or have an equivalent education from abroad, or equivalent qualifications.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements to be admitted for studies at third-cycle level within the subject of ecology, the applicant is required to have completed courses within a first-cycle subject relevant to ecology comprising at least 120 credits. At least one course at second-cycle level in a subject that is central to the doctoral student's planned specialization shall have been completed, as well an independent piece of work (degree project) with relevant specialization of at least 15 credits. The recruitment procedure for the position is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen Chapter 5 and 7). The requirements should be met at the time of acceptance to doctoral studies.

For this position, we are looking for a person interested in forests, ecosystem ecology and/or biogeochemistry. We expect the candidate to have an academic background in environmental sciences, ecology, soil science or physical geography. In addition, the following are essential: (i) Willingness to travel extensively and spend long periods of time doing fieldwork; (ii) Driving license or ability to get one before summer 2023.

Strong merits include experience of field work in remote sites and experience of forest inventory and/or quantitative analysis (statistics, modelling, remote sensing, GIS).

Terms of employment
The employment is expected to result in a doctoral degree and the main assignment for the student is thus to be part of the research education, which includes participation in research but also taking relevant courses. Teaching and other departmental activities (up to a maximum of 20% time) are typically included as well. Employment is limited to four years at full time or up to five years if teaching and other departmental work is performed. The salary is fixed according to the established salary level for doctoral students.

Application
You apply through our recruitment system Varbi on December 15, 2023 at the latest. Evaluations will be based on the application and on interviews. The application must be written in English (preferably) or Swedish and should include:

  1. A short (max 1 page) description of why you are interested in the position
  2. CV
  3. Copies of certificates from higher education
  4. List of completed university courses and the grades
  5. Copy of publications/degree thesis

Contact
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Professor Daniel Metcalfe: daniel.metcalfe@umu.se

The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science (EMG) carries out research and postgraduate education in ecology, environmental science and physical geography. The department has about 150 employees and about 30 of these are PhD students. For more information, visit https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-ecology-and-environmental-science/

Information box

Admission

Spring 2023 or according to agreement

Salary

Monthly salary

Apply before

2022-12-15

Registration number

AN 2.2.1-1665-22

Contact

Daniel Metcalfe

090-7865575


Post doctor (2 years) within graph-based machine learning

 Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest institutions of higher education with over 37,000 students and 4,800 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.

Are you interested in knowing more about Umeå University as a workplace read more at: Work with us.

The Department of Computing science seeks a postdoctor to join the project Semantic Parsing of Multimodal Data. The employment is full-time for two years with access March 1, 2023, or by agreement.

Department of Computing science 
The Department of Computing Science is characterized by world-leading research in a multitude of scientific fields, and is ranked highly in international comparison. The department has been growing rapidly in recent years, with a focus on creating an inclusive and bottom-up driven research environment. To further strengthen our numbers, we are now looking for a postdoctor in graph-based machine learning for multimodal parsing. Our workplace consists of a diverse set of people from different nationalities, background and fields. If you work as a postdoctor with us, you receive the benefits of support in career development, networking, administrative and technical support functions, along with good employment conditions. More information about the department is available at:

https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-computing-science/

Is this interesting for you? Welcome with your application before 2022-12-15.

Project description and working tasks 
The research project is funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR) and serves to develop novel graph-based methods for semantic parsing of multimodal data. In other words, the translation of composite media items such as a video with audio tracks and subtitles, or a digital news article with text and images, into structured representations that capture central aspects of the combined media. The problem appears in many technological areas. In robotics, it takes the form of language grounding, where the linguistic constituents of a natural language command are linked to real-world objects, attributes, and relations. In media asset management, it appears as automatic captioning of images. It is also of inherent value in machine learning, because it allows us to transfer knowledge between different modalities. Knowledge that we have learnt from text can, e.g., be used to understand images.

The outcome of the project is a theory of graph-based computation tailored for multimodal parsing.  This consists of formal graph languages to represent the data, together with transition-based computation models that operate on such representations.  In their classical form, these models have finite sets of discrete states, but some of the best performing existing semantic parsers combine transition-based models with recursive neural networks.  In these modern hybrid models, the state space is the Cartesian product of a discrete state space and the continuous, potentially unbounded, state space of a neural network.

Possible research directions for the postdoctor are:

·         Attention-based models for translation from e.g., text and audio, into semantic graphs

·         Discrete and continuous methods for fusing and restructuring graph representations

The project is conducted within the research group for the Foundations of Language Processing at Umeå University, and is led by Associate Professor Johanna Björklund. The group studies theoretical and practical aspects of representing language on computers, and its interconnection with other sources of information. The work of the group spans from formal language theory to applied natural language processing. The group consists of 5 senior researchers and 8 PhD students. More information is available at:

https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/foundations-of-language-processing/

The work will be carried out in collaboration with the recently initiated WASP NEST project STING - Synthesis and analysis with Transducers and Invertible Neural Generators, with PIs at Umeå University, Linköping University, and KTH. Read more about the NEST project at: 

https://wasp-sweden.org/sting-synthesis-and-analysis-with-transducers-and-invertible-neural-generators/

Qualifications 

This section states the formal requirements UmU has on a post doctor in accordance with the UmU Appointment Procedure for Teachers (FS 1.1-129-22), as well as the specific requirements that connected to the project.

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area. Postdoctoral fellows who are to teach or supervise must have taken relevant courses in teaching and learning in higher education

The postdoctor must have experience of 

·         Formal language theory 

·         Machine learning

Other desirable qualifications include experience of

·         Natural language processing

·         Formal graph languages

·         Graph representation learning

·         Empirical methods, i.e., formal hypothesis testing

Application 
 

A full application should include:

-          Cover letter in which you explain why you are interested in the research project and how you think you could contribute,

-          Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list,

-          Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,

-          Copy of doctoral thesis and, optionally, up to 3 relevant articles,

-          Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim, 

-          Contact information to two persons willing to act as references.

The application must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of this page. The closing date is 2022-12-15.

Further details are provided by Johanna Björklund, johanna@cs.umu.se, +4670 603 94 59.

Information box

Admission

March 1, 2023, or by agreement.

Salary

Monthly

Apply before

2022-12-15

Registration number

AN 2.2.1-1587-22

Contact

Johanna Björklund

+46706039459

Union representative

SACO

090-7865365

SEKO

090-7865296

ST

090-7865431

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26 Academic Positions at La Trobe University, Australia

26 Academic Positions at La Trobe University, Australia