Postdoctoral scholarship (2 years) within Neuromuscular Metabolism under Mechanical Stress

Postdoctoral Researcher (2 years) within Neuromuscular Metabolism under Mechanical Stress

The Department of Medical and Translational Biology is offering a postdoctoral fellowship within Muscle and Nerve Cell Metabolism under Mechanical Stress. The Fellowship is full-time for two years funded by Kempe foundation with a start date of 1st September 01-09-2025 or by agreement.  

Departmental specific information 

The research group lead by Assoc. Prof. Farhan Shah is positioned in a department conducting multidisciplinary medical research taking advantage of a diverse set of methodologies. The group used a translational approach to understand pathologies affecting both skeletal and cardiac muscles. The research areas cover studies of muscle and nerve structures, muscle metabolism, neuromuscular signaling and muscle development. For more information see: https://www.umu.se/en/staff/farhan-shah

Project description  

This project investigates how harmful mechanical vibrations affect the metabolism of muscle and nerve cells at the molecular level, with a particular focus on mitochondria. It addresses clinical problems related to Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), a condition causing muscle weakness in workers who regularly use vibrating power tools. Using an in vitro vibration model, muscle cells and muscle-nerve cocultures will be exposed to different vibration frequencies and varying levels of oxygen (hypoxia). The impact of vibration on mitochondrial function and on mRNA and protein synthesis will be assessed through Seahorse assays, transcriptomics, and proteomics in muscle and nerve cells. To strengthen the translational aspect of the study, patient-derived muscle biopsies from individuals with HAVS will also be analyzed using Omics approaches and metabolic profiling. This will allow direct comparison between experimental models and patient material, helping to identify molecular pathways and targets that contribute to muscle weakness in HAVS.

The successful applicant will take the lead in pursuing the experimental aims of project and will have the scientific freedom to apply this model to related areas involving muscle weakness, such as in cancer cachexia. You will be encouraged to actively develop new research directions within this field.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to:

-Investigate mitochondrial energy production and RNA/protein synthesis under vibrational stress in muscle and neuronal cell lines.
-Use techniques such as Seahorse metabolic flux analysis, transcriptomics, proteomics, and live cell imaging.
-Explore and test therapeutic strategies to restore mitochondrial function and cellular health after vibration exposure.
- Apply the same muscle cell culture model to a cancer cachexia project and test the effect of therapeutic application.
-Apply basic bioinformatics methods to analyze sequencing and proteomics data.

The work is based on a dynamic and collaborative environment with access to a dedicated vibration laboratory, high-resolution microscopy, and national imaging, proteomics and transcriptomics infrastructures. The project is supported by Kempestiftelserna and Cancerforskningsfonden Norrland and aligns with an independent research line in neuromuscular pathology.

Qualifications  

The postdoctoral fellow must 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 the recipient of the scholarship.

Priority will be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according the above, no later than three years prior. Under special circumstances, candidates who completed their doctoral degree more than three years previously may also be eligible. Special circumstances 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.

Doctoral degree should be within Biomedical sciences, cell biology, molecular biology, or closely related fields.

Additional requirements are: 

• - Technical expertise in cell culture, basic methods in histology, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology is essential.
• - Demonstrated expertise in mitochondrial bioenergetics or muscle/nerve cell biology.
• - Experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g., qPCR, RNA-seq, Western blot, ELIZA).
• - Fluency in spoken and written English at a very high level, necessary for scientific writing and presentation of results.
  
  
• Meriting criteria are:

• - Experience in mechanobiology, vibration biology, or hypoxia-related cellular models.
• - Familiarity with Seahorse XF assays, proteomics, or transcriptomic data analysis.
• - Publications in peer-reviewed journals relevant to the project topics.
• - Knowledge in cancer-related muscle atrophy (cachexia) mechanisms is considered an additional merit.

We are looking for candidates who:

• - Are highly motivated, curious, and self-driven.
• - Can plan and structure their own research independently.
• - Thrive in collaborative, interdisciplinary settings.

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 University’s e-recruitment system Varbi and submitted by the deadline 30-06-2025.

A full application should include:

• Cover letter describing your previous research, interest in the project, and suitability for the project (max 2 pages).
• Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list.
• Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate (or expected completion date).
• Verified copies of other diplomas and transcripts.
• Doctoral thesis and up to three relevant publications.
• Contact information to two academic references.

Further information 

For more information, please contact:

Associate Professor Farhan Shah, Principal Investigator: farhan.shah@umu.se

We look forward to receiving your application!