Assistant Professor in basic medical research

The University of Gothenburg offers a research environment where internationally recognised excellence meets an open and collaborative culture. Here, early-career researchers are given the conditions to grow, build networks, and contribute to research with global relevance.

This position is part of the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment initiative Gothenburg Global Scholars. Learn more about the initiative and the University here: Gothenburg Global Scholars.

Sahlgrenska Academy is the medical faculty at the University of Gothenburg and a leading centre for research and education in medicine, odontology and health sciences. Research, healthcare and innovation come together in a thriving life science ecosystem, supported by close collaboration with Sahlgrenska University Hospital, advanced research infrastructure, and a strong life science and biotechnology sector. Learn more about Sahlgrenska Academy.

As part of the University's initiative, Sahlgrenska Academy is recruiting an Assistant Professor within the framework of the Academy's long-term efforts to strengthen life science research and research environments, spanning basic science, translational research and clinical application – as well as education. The position will be based at whichever of the Academy's six departments offers the best environment for the successful candidate's research to develop. Call for 2 assistant professor positions

Subject area

Basic medical research

Subject area description

The subject area encompasses basic medical research into the molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying health and disease. It may also include, to a greater or lesser extent, a translational component bridging basic medical research and clinical application, with the aim of developing new approaches to diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

Duties

The position as Assistant Professor in basic medical research primarily involves conducting independent, internationally competitive research within the subject area of the position. The research should contribute to an increased understanding of the molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying health and disease. It may encompass both basic and translational research, with the aim of creating a foundation for the development of new approaches to diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

The successful candidate is expected to actively develop an independent line of research, seek external research funding and contribute to the development of a strong research environment. Duties also include collaboration with researchers within the department, Sahlgrenska Academy, the healthcare sector, and national and international networks.

The position primarily involves research, but also includes teaching at first-cycle, second-cycle and doctoral levels. Duties may include lectures, seminars, and the supervision of degree projects and doctoral students. The successful candidate is expected to develop their teaching expertise and gradually take on greater responsibility for the planning, delivery and development of teaching within the subject area.

A successful candidate who does not have formal training in academic teaching must undertake such training within one year of taking up the position.

For promotion, the candidate must have attained proficiency in spoken and written Swedish at a minimum level of B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) no later than six months before the end of the appointment as Assistant Professor. The University of Gothenburg offers Swedish-language courses, which the successful candidate is required to attend  as part of the appointment. All other requirements for promotion set by Sahlgrenska Academy must also be met.

Eligibility

Eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor is governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.

Qualification requirements for employment as an Assistant Professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate in subject or has the corresponding research competence. Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an Assistant Professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances. The reason, dates, and extent of the absence must be clearly specified in the application and supported by documentation/certificates.

The ability to teach in English is a requirement.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for appointment as Assistant Professor are governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.

We are seeking candidates who have demonstrated the ability to independently initiate, develop, and conduct high-quality research within the subject area of the position.

Assessment will be based primarily on research expertise, secondly on teaching expertise, and thirdly on collaborative and administrative competence.

Research expertise

Research expertise is demonstrated through scholarly publications and current participation in national and international research collaborations. In the assessment of scientific expertise, particular emphasis is placed on high-quality publications with prestigious international publishers and in respected international peer-reviewed journals. The quality, originality, and impact of publications are given greater emphasis than the total number of publications. The ability to obtain external research funding in competition is highly meritorious.

Teaching expertise

Teaching expertise is demonstrated through documented experience of having planned and implemented teaching in various forms (lectures, seminars, supervision) at the first-cycle, second-cycle and doctoral level within the subject area of the position. When assessing teaching expertise, special emphasis is placed on documented teaching work that has contributed to the development of a course or study programme and its instruction and consequently improved the quality. Pedagogical competence must be well documented in a manner that allows the quality of the educational activities to be assessed.

Collaboration with the community at large and Administrative Competence

Expertise in collaboration with the wider community is demonstrated, for example, through the ability to develop existing collaborative relationships or to establish new collaborations between academia and relevant societal stakeholders, as well as through the ability to communicate research findings to the public. Good collaborative skills, both within and beyond the candidate's own research environment, are also highly valued.

Administrative competence refers to experience of academic leadership, such as coordinating research or educational activities, as well as contributing to the development of the department or faculty.

Overall Assessment

A position as Assistant Professor is a career-development position targeting researchers and teachers who defended their doctoral thesis relatively recently. The position will be offered to the candidate who is assessed to have the best prospects for carrying out the duties required in the position, collaborating and cooperating with other staff, and contributing positively to the development of activities based on an overall assessment of their expertise and development potential.

Extensive experience in academic environments outside Sweden is highly meritorious.

Employment

An appointment as Assistant Professor is a fixed-term career-development position. The purpose of the position is to provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher and to strengthen their scientific and pedagogical qualifications in order to meet the requirements for eligibility for appointment as Senior Lecturer.

The appointment may be extended, but for no more than a total of two years, if additional time is required to fulfil the purpose of the appointment due to sick leave, parental leave, or other special circumstances.

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

An Assistant Professor is entitled to be considered for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer in the same subject area as the Assistant Professorship, provided that the individual is qualified for such an appointment and is deemed suitable following an assessment based on the established criteria for promotion to Senior Lecturer stated by Sahlgrenska Academy.

Moving to Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden, beautifully situated on the west coast. The city is well known for its friendly atmosphere and high quality of life. Choosing a career in a new country is a major step. Gothenburg offers a welcoming environment and strong support for international talent relocating to the region.

Internationally recruited staff are offered a contracted relocation package and tax advisory services (Global Mobility support).

Move to Gothenburg - a guide for international talents

Welcome Services - support for international staff relocating to Gothenburg

Other information

The position of Assistant Professor is a career-development appointment and constitutes a step in an academic career path designed to enable researchers to develop their independence and establish their own research profile, with the right to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer. At the University of Gothenburg, Senior Lecturers are also eligible to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Full Professor.

To support a healthy work–life balance, we offer academic freedom, flexible working arrangements, and generous annual leave. Employees are also entitled to a range of benefits, including a wellness allowance, supplementary parental benefits, and an occupational pension scheme. For more information about employment benefits at the University of Gothenburg, please visit: Employment benefits | University of Gothenburg

If you do not have formal training in academic teaching, you will be given the opportunity to undertake such training as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.

If you do not have proficiency in Swedish at a minimum of level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), you will be offered language courses as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.

Selection process

Eligibility screening of applicants will take place after the application deadline. The application documents of eligible candidates will subsequently be submitted to external reviewers for assessment.

As part of the selection process, in addition to expert assessment and interviews, trial lectures and reference checks may also be conducted.

Contact information

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact:

Unions

Information about union representatives at the University of Gothenburg is available here.

Applications

You apply for the position through the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. Applications must follow the layout of the recommendations for the Guidelines for application to teaching position.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is submitted no later than the application deadline. The selection of candidates is made on the basis of the qualifications registered in the application. Please note in particular that the following documents (in swedish or english) must accompany the application:

Any documents that are not available in electronic format should be sent to:

The reference number of the application, PAR 2026/675, should be clearly stated when mailing complementary documents.

Please submit your application in English, as it will be reviewed by external reviewers whose working language is English.

Application deadline: 30 October 2026

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.