Postdoctoral Fellowship Position (2 Years) in "Mutagenic Potential of Nanoplastics in Prostate Cancer and Their Role in Tumor Progression"

The Department of  molecularbiology, Umeå university is offering a postdoctoral scholarship within the project "Mutagenic Potential of Nanoplastics in Prostate Cancer and Their Role in Tumor Progression". The scholarship is full-time for two years with access 1 April, 2026 or by agreement.  The deadline is 12 February 2026.

Departmental specific information 

The department of molecularbiology provides a vibrant interfaculty research environment, and there is access to a wide range of state-of-the-art imaging, metabolomics, genomics and screening facilities.

Project Description

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are now detected in human blood, lung, placenta, liver, brain, and tumor tissues, yet their long-term biological and carcinogenic effects remain largely unknown. This project addresses a fundamental and timely question in environmental medicine and cancer biology: do nanoplastics act as environmental mutagens that contribute to cancer initiation and progression? 

Using prostate cancer as a model disease, the project investigates whether nanoplastics directly interact with DNA, induce characteristic mutational signatures, and promote genomic instability, transcriptional dysregulation, and tumor evolution. The central hypothesis is that nanoplastics selectively bind to specific DNA motifs and generate reproducible mutation patterns that are detectable in cancer genomes and associated with disease aggressiveness and therapy resistance. 

The postdoctoral fellow will work in a highly interdisciplinary setting combining microbial mutagenesis assays, mammalian cancer models, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and machine learning. Experimental data will be integrated with large-scale patient-derived cancer genomics datasets to identify nanoplastic-associated mutational signatures and link environmental exposure to clinical outcome.

The project is embedded in a strong international translational research network and provides access to state-of-the-art imaging, genomics, metabolomics, and computational platforms. The fellowship offers exceptional training at the interface of environmental exposure research, molecular oncology, and precision medicine, with strong publication and career development opportunities.

Qualifications

We seek an outstanding and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a PhD in molecular biology, cancer biology, microbiology, toxicology, bioinformatics, or a related discipline. The successful candidate should have a strong publication record relative to career stage and demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• DNA damage and mutagenesis
• Cancer genomics and sequencing technologies
• Microbial genetics or toxicology
• Computational biology and data science

Experience with next-generation sequencing, mutation analysis, or cancer model systems is highly desirable. A strong interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of environmental exposure and cancer biology is essential. The candidate must demonstrate scientific independence, excellent analytical skills, and strong written and oral communication skills in English. Preference will be given to applicants who obtained their degree no more than three years before the end of the application period.

The post-doctoral 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 should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree before that may also be eligible. Special reasons 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.

Application

The application should include:

1. A cover letter with a description of the applicant’s research experience, research interests and motivation for the application.

2. Curriculum vitae, including a relevant publication list.

3. Copy of relevant degrees with certifications.

4. Contact information for two reference persons.

The application should be written in English or Swedish and attached in Word or PDF format. The application should be registered via Umeå University’s e-system Varbi and submitted by the deadline 12 February, 2026.

Further Information

Read more about the department here: Department of Molecular Biology

For questions about the stipend, please contact Prof. Lukas Kenner, lukas.kenner@umu.se

We look forward to receiving your application!