Postdoctor in Bioinformatics and Cancer Genetics

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

Postdoctor in Bioinformatics and Cancer Genetics

The Institute of Biomedicine is involved in both research and education. In both of these areas, we focus on fundamental knowledge of the living cell – what it consists of, how it works, how its function is directed by the genetic material, and how it interacts with various kinds of micro-organisms. Using this knowledge, we try to elucidate the causes of diseases, and find new ways to diagnose and treat them.

The Institute is composed of the following four departments:

At present, the institute has about 360 employees and approximately 450 million SEK in total assets.

Subject area 

Bioinformatics and Cancer Genetics

Somatic mutation accumulation and clonal evolution are central processes in cancer development. Through large-scale whole-genome sequencing and other high-throughput approaches, these processes can be mapped in detail, providing insights into tumor initiation, progression, and treatment response.

This position focuses on the application and development of bioinformatics methods for the analysis of genomic cancer data, including large public international datasets and locally generated patient-derived sequencing data. The project may involve, for example, studies of somatic mutational processes, clonal dynamics, tumor evolutionary history, or integrative analyses of genomic and clinical data. Analyses of non-cancer-related sequencing data may also be considered.

The work will be carried out in a research environment with strong expertise in cancer genomics, computational biology, and translational research.

Work published by the group in recent time includes: Ögren et al., Light-based footprinting of a eukaryotic genome. Science Advances 2026; Elliott et al., Mechanistic basis of atypical TERT promoter mutations. Nature Communications. 2024; Elliott et al. Base-resolution UV footprinting by sequencing reveals distinctive damage signatures for DNA-binding proteins. Nature Communications. 2023; Boström et al. Somatic mutation distribution across tumour cohorts provides a signal for positive selection in cancer. Nature Communications. 2022; Elias et al. Independent somatic evolution underlies clustered neuroendocrine tumors in the human small intestine. Nature Communications. 2021; Van den Eynden et al. Lack of detectable neoantigen depletion signals in the untreated cancer genome. Nature Genetics. 2019.

Duties 

The postdoctoral researcher will apply and develop computational methods for the analysis of whole-genome sequencing and other NGS-based data from patients, including mutation calling and detection of mosaic mutations. The work may also include statistical analyses and data visualization to identify and interpret somatic mutational patterns and other genomic alterations, as well as integration of genomic data with clinical and phenotypic variables when relevant. The researcher is expected to contribute to manuscript writing and publication in international scientific journals and may present research findings at national and international conferences.

Eligibility 

The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg.

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made.

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Assessment criteria 

Good programming skills and linux/unix experience is a requirement. Knowledge of Matlab or R is also highly desired. Previous experience with analysis of next-generation sequencing data is recommended, particularly calling of somatic mutations. Experience from relevant biological fields is recommended, and the applicant is expected to have published several articles in peer-reviewed journals. Excellent communicative skills are required, including fluency in oral and written English.

Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for academic positions are given in Chapter 4, Section 3 - 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance.

Employment 

The employment is full time and temporary, two years with the possibility of one year's extension, with placement at the Institute of Biomedicine. First day of employment as agreed.

Contact information 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Erik Larsson Lekholm, Professor, phone: +46 31 786 6942, e-mail: erik.lekholm@gu.se

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives

Application 

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

The application should contain:

Applications must be received by: 2026-10-10

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.