Postdoctoral scholarship (8 months) in Mitochondrial Protein Quality Control

Postdoctoral scholarship (8 months) within Mitochondrial Protein Quality Control 

The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Umeå University invites applications for a postdoctoral scholarship within the project “Integrating Mitochondrial Protein Quality Control with OXPHOS Biogenesis”. The scholarship is full-time for a duration of 8 months, starting in January 2026 or as agreed.  The deadline for submitting an application is October 18, 2025.

Departmental specific information 

The research will be conducted in the laboratory of Assistant professor Andreas Kohler, located within the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics. The department offers an international, collaborative, and open-minded research environment. For more information, please visit the lab’s website: https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/andreas-kohler/

Project description  

While protein quality control (PQC) systems for mitochondrial proteins encoded by nuclear DNA are well studied, the molecular basis of PQC for mitochondrially encoded proteins remains a largely unexplored field. In this project, we investigate recently identified PQC factors and their molecular mechanisms in maintaining mitochondrial functionality during ageing. A central focus is the interplay of these factors with mitochondrial translation systems and respiratory chain complex assembly.

We use the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as our primary research model. In addition to state-of-the-art biochemical and proteomic methods for studying spatiotemporal protein interactions, we employ high-throughput flow cytometry to analyze mitochondrial functionality, cellular viability, and fitness during ageing. 

The KEMPE Foundations (Stiftelserna J.C. Kempes och Seth M. Kempes minne) are funding this project with an 8-month Postdoctoral scholarship.

The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to:

• Acquire cutting-edge techniques for studying protein dynamics during ageing
• Explore fundamental biochemical mechanisms underlying the protein quality control of mitochondrially encoded proteins
• Study the interplay of PQC systems with mitochondrial translation and respiratory chain complex assembly factors

In our laboratory, we are committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and open-minded environment that promotes research of the highest quality—reliable, reproducible, and rigorous. As a postdoctoral fellow in our team, you will play a key role in unravelling the complexities of mitochondrial PQC. You will benefit from a safe and respectful research environment, receive dedicated mentorship, and have the freedom to pursue innovative ideas.

Qualifications 

To qualify as a postdoctoral scholarship holder, the postdoctoral 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 will be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, within the past three years. Exceptions may be made for special circumstances such as illness, parental leave, union commitments, military service, or clinical practice, or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the field.

Eligible doctoral degrees include Biochemistry, Cellular or Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or related disciplines.

Required Qualifications:

• A strong track record in a relevant field of research, documented by first authorships in peer-reviewed original publications
• Experience in protein biochemistry
• Comprehensive skills in cell and molecular biology methods

Additional Merits:

• Previous experience in studying mitochondria, and in particular protein quality control
• Experience with S. cerevisiae as a research model
• Skills with high-throughput screening approaches and flow cytometry
• Skills in advanced molecular cloning techniques

We are looking for candidates who have a strong interest in mitochondrial PQC and related molecular mechanisms. Candidates should be team players, engaging in scientific discussions and the exchange of ideas.

Application

A complete application should include:

• A cover letter summarizing your qualifications, your scientific interests, your motives for applying, and how you feel you meet the essential and meriting criteria (max 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list
• Copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained
• Copy of doctoral thesis (PDF or a download link)
• Copies of other diplomas (master and bachelor studies)
• A list of university courses with grades (transcripts). Note that for international applicants the grading system should be explained in brief
• Contact information of at least two reference persons
• (optional) Other documents that the applicant wishes to supply

Applications may be submitted in English or Swedish. All documents should be in Word or PDF format and submitted via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi no later than October 18, 2025.

Further information 

For further information on this project, please see the lab website at www.kohler-mitolab.com or contact Andreas Kohler at andreas.kohler@umu.se

We look forward to receiving your application!