Do you want to work with research, supported by competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer committed to sustainable employment practices and offering secure and favorable working conditions? Welcome to apply for a position as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences at Uppsala University.
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences
The Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences is an interdisciplinary environment where 10 research areas work to contribute to better medicines and a healthier world. With laboratories in the heart of Uppsala Biomedical Center and Sweden’s only Faculty of Pharmacy, we are a vital engine in the development of education and research in the pharmaceutical sciences. More information about the department and its activities is available at www.farmbio.uu.se.
About the position
We are offering a two-year postdoctoral position in microscopy and experimental cell biology, with a focus on image-based morphological profiling of patient-derived colorectal cancer 3D models.
The position is part of the ERKetype project, a European collaborative effort, which aims to develop digital twins as complex biomarkers for ERK signaling therapy. This role is central to that effort: you will generate the morphological profiling data underlying those complex biomarkers using Cell Painting, a state-of-the art multiplexed fluorescence imaging assay adapted to 3D cultures in the lab. Through the consortium, the findings will have direct potential for implementation in clinical trials.
You will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment spanning oncology, cell biology, imaging, bioinformatics and machine learning, with access to state-of-the-art robotic liquid handling, drug screening, and high-content microscopy infrastructure in the lab. We have an extensive repertoire of existing image-analysis pipelines and access to a large-scale data and analytics infrastructure, providing a strong foundation. This project provides a unique opportunity to deepen your competence bridging cell biology and data analytics, translating image-based data into meaningful biological insight.
The position offers excellent opportunities to build a strong and independent research profile, co-supervise students, contribute to grant applications, and develop your scientific leadership. You will be part of a dynamic research community in Uppsala with strong links to national and international scientific networks.
Duties
You will drive the development and application of 3D Cell Painting on primary patient-derived colorectal spheroids and organoids, building on the single-cell resolved method established in the lab. A central scientific aim is to determine whether morphological profiles from patient-derived models can predict drug responders and non-responders and stratify patients.
Specifically, you will:
- Perform experiments and analysis on repurposed, and experimental cancer drugs across patient-derived colorectal cell models using the robotic high-throughput facility.
- Extract and analyze multivariate high-content imaging features to identify morphological markers that distinguish drug responders from non-responders.
- Contribute to building and maintaining robust image analysis pipelines for high-content imaging data.
- Interest to follow the latest developments in 3D morphological profiling.
- Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to popular science dissemination.
- Participate in international activities including conferences and research visits.
- Co-supervise students and advise on methodology and academic writing.
Requirements
- PhD in a relevant discipline with a profile that bridges wet-lab experimentation and quantitative data analysis. We particularly welcome candidates with backgrounds in cancer biology, cell biology, biomedical engineering, or computational biology who have worked across both domains.
- 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.
- Minimum 3 years hands-on experience with cell culture, and quantitative cell-based assays.
- Experience with 3D spheroid or organoid culture or similar.
- Experience with high-content fluorescence imaging, automated microscopy, and image analysis.
- Experience with multivariate analysis in Python, R or equivalent.
- At least one first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal
- Strong collaboration skills and experience working across research groups or institutions.
- Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English.
Additional qualifications
- Cell Painting or equivalent morphological profiling assays
- Colorectal cancer biology or translational oncology
- Laboratory automation and high-throughput screening platforms (e.g. pipetting robots, Echo, iDot, automated liquid handlers)
- Image analysis tools such as CellProfiler, CellPose, or Fiji
- Immunocytochemistry
- Experience with Jupyter notebooks, version control with git
- High-throughput drug screening in 384-well formats.
- Extracellular matrix substrates such as Matrigel or alternatives
About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date 2026-06-01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala
For further information about the position, please contact: Professor Ola Spjuth, email: Ola.Spjuth@uu.se and Senior research engineer Christa Ringers e-mail Christa.Ringers@uu.se For questions about the employment, contact Administrative Manager Marina Rönngren, email: marina.ronngren@.uu.se.
Please submit your application by May 13, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/1112.
Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all of our 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces.
Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University
https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/
The position may be subject to security vetting. If security vetting is conducted, the applicant must pass the vetting process to be eligible for employment.
Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services.
Submit your application through Uppsala University’s recruitment system.Placement:Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Farmaceutisk bioinformatikScope:Full timeWorking hours:100%Type of employment:Temporary positionPay:Inviduell lönNumber of positions:1Town:UppsalaUnion representative:
Number of reference:UFV-PA 2026/1112Last application date:13 May 2026