IceLab Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholarships 2026 in Sweden

The IceLab Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholarships at Umeå University offer an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers seeking to conduct cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in Sweden. The program is designed for postdoctoral scientists who can integrate expertise from fields such as computational science, biology, mathematics, ecology, physics, medicine, and data science to solve complex scientific challenges.

Funded by Kempestiftelserna, the fellowship provides generous financial support, research funding, and access to IceLab's collaborative research environment. Selected researchers will work alongside multidisciplinary teams on innovative projects addressing global scientific issues.

Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: Sweden
• Host Institution: Umeå University
• Research Center: IceLab
• Scholarship Name: IceLab Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholarships
• Degree Level: Postdoctoral
• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
• Number of Awards: 3
• Scholarship Value: 720,000 SEK
• Research Grant: 75,000 SEK
• Eligible Nationalities: All Nationalities
• Application Deadline: 17 September
• Expected Start Date: January–April

Selected researchers will receive:

• Tax-free scholarship worth 720,000 SEK over two years
• Additional research funding of 75,000 SEK
• Two-year postdoctoral research opportunity
• Supervision by multidisciplinary research teams
• Access to IceLab's collaborative research environment
• Opportunity to work on internationally significant scientific challenges
• Professional development in interdisciplinary research

The scholarship is available for:

• Postdoctoral Research

Eligible Research Fields

Applicants from interdisciplinary research backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including:

• Computational Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Systems Biology
• Ecology
• Applied Mathematics
• Physics
• Biophysics
• Statistics
• Machine Learning
• Data Science
• Network Science
• Mathematical Modelling
• Computational Modelling
• Evolutionary Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Sports Medicine
• Physiology

Available Research Projects

Applicants may apply for one or more of the following research projects:

• Cell Wall Integrity in Chlorella vulgaris
• RNA Polymerase Allocation Under Stress
• Evolution of Adaptive Immunity
• Ecological Networks and Biodiversity Under Global Change
• Stress, Resilience and Performance in Elite Female Athletes

The scholarship is open to applicants from all countries.

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD degree or expect to complete it before the fellowship begins.
• Normally have obtained their PhD within the previous three years.
• Demonstrate expertise or strong interest in interdisciplinary research.
• Have experience in one or more relevant scientific disciplines.
• Possess strong programming, analytical, or computational skills where applicable.
• Demonstrate scientific independence, creativity, and collaboration skills.
• Have good written and spoken English proficiency.

Exceptions to the three-year PhD requirement may be considered for circumstances such as parental leave, illness, military service, or clinical practice.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• Completed online application
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover letter or motivation statement
• PhD certificate or expected completion documentation
• Academic transcripts
• List of publications
• Research proposal (if required)
• Contact details for referees
• Any additional documents requested by Umeå University

Application Process

To apply for the scholarship:

1. Visit the Umeå University application portal.
2. Select one or more research projects of interest.
3. Complete the online application form.
4. Upload all required supporting documents.
5. Submit the application before the deadline.
6. Await the evaluation and selection results.

Successful applicants are expected to begin their fellowship between January and April, depending on mutual agreement with the university.

Why Apply for the IceLab Postdoctoral Scholarship?

The IceLab Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholarships provide an outstanding opportunity for researchers seeking to work across multiple scientific disciplines. Fellows benefit from generous funding, collaborative supervision, advanced research facilities, and the opportunity to contribute to innovative projects addressing global challenges in biology, ecology, medicine, physics, and computational science.