Postdoctoral scholarship (2 years) within molecular geochemistry insights into DNA adsorption to minerals

Umeå University is one of Swedens largest higher education institutions with over 37000 students and about 4700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was made here. At Umeå University everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet work together and exchange knowledge which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

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The Department of Chemistry is offering a postdoctoral scholarship within a project on the molecular interactions between DNA and mineral surfaces. The scholarship is full-time for two years with access from 1 October 2026 or by agreement.

Departmental specific information

The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments at Umeå University with approximately 200 employees and some 30 research groups working across analytical biological environmental organic and physical chemistry. The scholarship is placed in the molecular geochemistry group led by Michael Holmboe where clay minerals mineralwater interfaces and the interactions of organic molecules with mineral surfaces are studied through a combination of molecular simulation and experimental methods.

Project description

DNA can persist in soils and sediments for thousands to millions of years because it adsorbs to minerals and to clay minerals in particular. This preservation underpins the recovery of ancient and environmental DNA used to reconstruct past ecosystems yet the yield and integrity of DNA recovered from different sediments remain difficult to predict. The project will focus on how DNA interacts with well-characterized mineral surfaces and how these interactions depend on pH ionic strength and competing organics. The project will involve molecular dynamics simulations with experimental adsorption studies at the interface of computational and experimental geochemistry. Established international collaborations span complementary computational and experimental expertise with scope for research visits and method exchange during the scholarship period.

The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to:

• develop expertise in molecular dynamics simulations of mineralwater interfaces and apply it to the DNAmineral systems
• extend their experimental skill set in mineral sorption and characterization by XRD Raman or FTIR EM and AFM techniques
• build an independent research profile and an international network through collaboration and research visits with partner groups abroad

Qualifications

The post-doctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about scholarship recipient.

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 before 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 or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.

A completed doctoral degree in chemistry geochemistry physical chemistry computational chemistry or a related field is required. Documented experience with molecular dynamics simulations is a strong merit as is a background in mineral clay or colloid (geo)chemistry and familiarity with mineralorganic or mineralwater interfaces. Experience with the experimental characterization of minerals or biomolecules for example by XRD infrared or raman spectroscopy electron microscopy or atomic force microscopy techniques is an additional merit. Good command of written and spoken English is required.

In the assessment particular weight is given to the ability to plan and carry out research independently to document and communicate scientific results clearly and to collaborate within an interdisciplinary group.

Application

The application should be written in English or Swedish and attached documents should be in Word or PDF format. The application should be registered via Umeå Universitys e-recruitment system Varbi and submitted by the deadline 15 August 2026.

A full application should include:

• Cover letter (maximum two pages) describing your research background and how your previous experience relates to the aims of this project
• 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
• Verified copies of other diplomas list of completed academic courses and grades
• Copy of doctoral thesis and up to three relevant articles
• Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.
• Contact information to two persons willing to act as references.

Further information

For further information about the project and the scholarship please contact Michael Holmboe ( 46 (0)).

We look forward to receiving your application!