Postdoctoral fellowship in Viral & Microbiome Bioinformatics

The Dwibedi research group at the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS; https://www.mims.umu.se/), Umeå University, Sweden, is seeking a post-doctoral fellowship candidate (2-years) in Bioinformatics: The project aims at investigating Microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions in early life development

Broad Research Topic: Postdoctoral Position in Viral & Microbiome Bioinformatics

Within this project we aim to study how phage-bacteria interactions may shape the infant gut microbiota development

Your role

You will be responsible for carrying out research in the Chinmay Dwibedi lab (www.dwibedilab.org) in close collaboration with local and international experts. Specifically, you will employ Bioinformatic and statistical methods to analyze human gut microbiome data in a longitudinal infant cohort. Documented experience in microbiome data analysis and/or viral metagenomics research (during PhD and/or a previous postdoc) is required.

Responsibilities

• Microbe-microbe and host microbe interaction analysis in a large infant cohort (n=2000)

• Evaluate differential fitness of specific strains in different populations.

• Study function of microbial genes across strains, genome scale metabolic modeling across time points.

• Participate and contribute to scientific group meetings, Journal clubs.

• Coordinate work with collaboration partners.

• Contribute as appropriate to the publication of research findings.

• Participate in training and supervision of young scientists and research students.

·       Comply with the University’s Equal Opportunities and Data Protection policies.

Selection criteria 

Essential

·      PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, or computer science with a focus on human gut microbiome data

·      Excellent written and oral English communication skills.

·      Significant experience in handling large metagenome datasets and/or virome data analysis (first author publication/s in the topic are required).

·      Relevant experience in R and/or python programming (eg. pipeline development for metagenomic data analysis, generation of metagenome assemblies)

·      Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.

·      Ability to deliver results to required standard and schedule.

·      Ability to organize and prioritize own work with minimal supervision.

Research environment

The Dwibedi lab is part of the SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS; https://www.scilifelab.se/data-driven/), a 12-year initiative aimed at recruiting and training the next generation of data-driven life scientists. In addition to being affiliated with the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University, within the faculty of medicine (https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-clinical-microbiology/), you will be affiliated with the national DDLS program, through which you will have access to computing resources, the national DDLS research school, and other training and networking opportunities throughout Sweden.

The successful candidate  will be further affiliated with the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS; https://www.mims.umu.se/); MIMS is a member of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, which is dedicated to the growing field of life sciences that investigates the molecular basis of disease and explores molecularly and genetically based treatments. There will be opportunities to collaborate with experts throughout Europe and beyond. Locally the research group is affiliated to the Umeå center for microbial research (UCMR; https://www.umu.se/ucmr/om-ucmr/) UCMR is an interdisciplinary research centre established by a consortium of scientists representing medical & molecular microbiology, molecular & structural biology, chemistry & physics, and is devoted to top quality research and novel applications in the fields of microbial pathogenesis.

Fellowship summary

Full-time 2-year stipend (tax-free), starting in summer 2026.

For questions, please contact:

Chinmay Dwibedi, Department of Clinical Microbiology, E-mail: chinmay.dwibedi@umu.se

Application

Please apply with the following documents:

1.     Letter highlighting your qualification and motivation

2.     CV including publication list

3.     Copy of PhD certificate, and other relevant exam certificates

4.     Contact information of 2 references

The complete application, marked with reference number UMU-PDF-CD-03, must be sent to chinmay.dwibedi@umu.se (state the reference number as subject) no later than March 01, 2026.