Postdoc in Cryo-EM Image Reconstruction and Volumetric Analysis

Work assignments 

We are looking for a postdoc who is motivated not only by solving established problems, but by exploring new ways of formulating them, incorporating their own ideas and experience in computer vision, machine learning, and related fields, to further visualization and interpretation of molecular images.

Our research environment focuses on methodological development in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), particularly in image reconstruction and 3D volumetric analysis of macromolecular structures. Rather than aiming to incrementally optimize existing pipelines, we are interested in principled approaches, unconventional formulations, and ideas that may initially seem orthogonal to prevailing trends but deserve careful exploration, and which stand to contribute new and better ways to analyse and interpret large-scale data.

In your position, you will develop computational methods for cryo-EM reconstruction, heterogeneity analysis, and modeling of structural variability. The work may include inverse problems, regularization strategies, statistical modeling, representation learning, and geometric or variational approaches to volumetric data. There is substantial freedom to shape the direction of the project and pursue ideas that you find intellectually compelling, provided they are grounded in rigorous methodology. Your work will be contextualized by existing expertise in existing methods and state-of-the-art in the field.

The position includes algorithm design, software implementation, and validation on experimental datasets. You will contribute to building a flexible research codebase that enables rapid testing of new ideas rather than rigid adherence to established workflows.

As postdoc, you will principally carry out research. A certain amount of teaching may be part of your duties, up to a maximum of 20% of working hours.

Qualifications

To be qualified to take employment as postdoc, you must have been awarded a doctoral degree or have a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This degree must have been awarded at the latest by the point at which LiU makes its decision to employ you.

It is considered advantageous if your doctoral degree is no older than three years at application deadline for this job. If there are special reasons for having an older doctoral degree – such as taking statutory leave – then these may be taken into consideration.

We are looking for someone with a doctoral degree in computational physics, applied mathematics, computer science, bioinformatics, structural biology, or a related field. Documented experience in image reconstruction, inverse problems, signal processing, computational imaging, or cryo-EM data analysis is required. Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, C/C++, or similar) and experience with scientific computing in high-performance computing environments are essential. Excellent written and spoken English skills are required.

We are also looking for someone with experience with 3D image processing, volumetric data analysis, optimization methods, statistical modeling, or machine learning for scientific applications. Prior experience with cryo-EM software frameworks or structural biology data is considered meritorious, but not essential, especially if prior experience with similar frameworks or methods can be demonstrated.

You are analytical, self-motivated, and able to work independently while also contributing effectively to collaborative research projects. You have strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate scientific results clearly in both written and oral form.

The workplace

Sweden offers an excellent environment for postdoc researchers. Researchers are employed with full salary and comprehensive social benefits, including pension contributions, parental leave, and healthcare coverage. The Swedish academic system is characterized by flat hierarchies, transparency, and a high degree of independence, providing strong support for developing your own research profile. English is widely used in academia. Combined with stable public research funding, strong research infrastructure, and close collaboration between academia and industry, this creates a secure and stimulating setting for building long-term academic or industry-oriented careers.

The Field of Study in Computational Physics and Biological Imaging comprises research in computational methods for structural biology, image reconstruction, and data-driven modeling of biological systems.

The Division carries out research and postgraduate education within computational imaging, applied mathematics, and structural biology. The research environment is embedded in Linköping University and closely connected to SciLifeLab and the national DDLS program.

You can read about the workplace here

https://liu.se/en/organisation/liu/ifm

https://www.scilifelab.se/data-driven/

https://www.scilifelab.se/units/cryo-em/

https://liu.se/en/employee/bjofo78

https://www.nsc.liu.se/systems/berzelius/

The employment

This employment is a temporary contract of two years with the possibility of extension up to a total maximum of three years.
The employment is full-time.

Starting date by agreement.

Salary and employment benefits

The university applies individual salaries. State your desired salary in the application.

More information about employee benefits is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button. Your application must be received no later than 30 March, 2026. 
 
Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered. 
 
Please attach your selected research publications electronically, in pdf or word format, in the application template. Research publications, e.g. monographs, which cannot be sent electronically should be sent in three sets by mail to the University Registrar at Linköping University, University Registrar, S-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. The publications must be received by Linköping University no later than the deadline for application. 

Please note that printed publications will not be returned. They will be archived at Linköping University. 
 
In the event of a discrepancy between the English translation of the job announcement and the Swedish original, the Swedish version shall take precedent.