IceLab Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

IceLab Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Integrated Science Lab (IceLab) at Umeå University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) offers interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellowships designed to support researchers launching and landing new collaborative projects that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries . Funded by Kempestiftelserna since 2020, this prestigious programme promotes transdisciplinary collaborations integrating theoretical, computational, and empirical work to address complex research questions at the intersection of multiple fields .

◆ Fully funded 2-year postdoctoral fellowships.
◆ Interdisciplinary projects combining computational modelling with empirical research.
◆ Projects connected to IceLab's stress response modelling theme.
◆ Open to researchers from at least two different departments at Umeå University or SLU.
◆ Check fully funded scholarships in Sweden for international students for similar opportunities.

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Programme Structure – IceLab Postdoctoral Fellowships

The fellowship programme follows a multi-phase selection process:

◆ Phase 1: Project Proposal Submission
◉ Teams of researchers (2+ from different departments) submit project proposals .
◉ External review committee evaluates and recommends 5 top projects.

◆ Phase 2: Candidate Search
◉ The 5 selected projects seek postdoctoral candidates through a joint advertisement .
◉ Project teams are encouraged to be proactive in candidate search.

◆ Phase 3: Final Selection
◉ Top projects submit their chosen candidates with presentations to an internal review committee .
◉ 3 project-candidate pairings are selected for funding.

◆ Explore latest scholarships in Sweden for all nationalities for more field options.

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Research Focus – Stress Response Modelling

Projects should connect with IceLab's excellence centre's stress response modelling theme:

◆ Computational and modelling components are highly valued .
◆ Integration of theoretical, computational, and empirical work.
◆ Interdisciplinary approaches combining multiple disciplines.
◆ Collaboration between researchers across departments.
◆ No requirement for current IceLab membership – new collaborations encouraged.
◆ See financial aids for students in Europe for more funding options.

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Eligibility Criteria for IceLab Postdoctoral Fellowships

◆ Project Team Requirements:
◉ Must consist of two or more researchers from at least two different departments at Umeå University or SLU .
◉ Project must have a modelling or computational component.
◉ Projects aligned with stress response modelling theme are highly valued.

◆ Postdoctoral Candidate Requirements:
◉ Must match the required expertise of the selected project.
◉ Must demonstrate strong interdisciplinary research potential.
◉ Selected fellows must be based in IceLab and participate in IceLab activities.
◉ Must be able to start in early January 2027 (no later than April 2027) .
◆ list of all open scholarships in Europe for additional funding sources.

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Scholarship Benefits – IceLab Postdoctoral Fellowships

★ Fully funded 2-year postdoctoral position .
★ Interdisciplinary research environment at IceLab .
★ Physical space in IceLab with access to facilities.
★ Connection to IceLab's research community and activities .
★ Opportunity to become an IceLab affiliate for non-members.
★ Support for transdisciplinary collaborations.
★ Access to IceLab's 15 years of experience in interdisciplinary research.
★ Explore Sweden's latest scholarships in 2026 for more details.

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Required Documents for Phase 1 (Project Proposal)

✓ Completed project proposal template.
✓ Project title and applicant contact information.
✓ Project summary with research question (max 500 words) .
✓ Description of interdisciplinary approach (max 500 words) .
✓ Added value statement – how a shared postdoc critically contributes .
✓ Statement supporting likelihood of finding a high-quality candidate .
✓ Research areas involved .
✓ Description of past or potential future collaborations with IceLab .
✓ Team description including CVs for all applicants (max 3 pages per applicant) .
✓ Detailed project description including scientific background, research plan, and feasibility (max 3 pages) .

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Evaluation Criteria for Phase 1

◆ Project Originality, Scientific Quality and Feasibility:
◉ Scientific quality of project design and questions.
◉ Clarity of research problem, prior research, methods.
◉ Feasibility for a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship.
◉ Potential for novel research discoveries.
◉ Connection to stress response modelling theme.

◆ Interdisciplinary Added Value:
◉ Novel ways of combining theories, disciplines, data, or methods.
◉ Genuine, new interdisciplinary grouping.
◉ Need for collaboration between applicants.
◉ Necessity of a shared postdoctoral fellow.
◉ Team includes researchers from different departments.
◉ Division of work and collaboration clearly described.
◉ Potential to strengthen IceLab's environment.

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Important Dates for IceLab Postdoctoral Fellowships

◆ Project Call Timeline:
◉ Call Opens: 27 April 2026 .
◉ Information Session: 13 May 2026, 10:00 .
◉ Project Application Deadline: 4 June 2026, 15:00 (Umeå local time) .
◉ 5 Projects Selected: 12 June 2026 .

◆ Postdoc Call Timeline:
◉ Joint Advertisement for Candidates: 26 June 2026 .
◉ Postdoctoral Candidate Application Deadline: 17 September 2026 .
◉ Submit Project + Top Candidate: 16 October 2026 .
◉ Top 3 Projects Selected: 9 November 2026 .
◉ Fellows Can Start: 1 January 2027 .

◆ Dates may change slightly – check the official IceLab website.

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Application Process for IceLab Postdoctoral Fellowships

1. Form a team of researchers from at least two different departments at Umeå University or SLU .

2. Develop an interdisciplinary project proposal aligned with stress response modelling .

3. Complete the project proposal template with all required information .

4. Prepare CVs for all applicants and a detailed project description (3 pages each) .

5. Submit the project proposal by 4 June 2026, 15:00 (Umeå local time) .

6. Await external review and selection of top 5 projects (12 June 2026) .

7. If selected, actively search for postdoctoral candidates with IceLab's assistance .

8. Postdoctoral candidates apply by 17 September 2026 .

9. Submit the project and top candidate to the internal review committee by 16 October 2026 .

10. Await final selection of top 3 project-candidate pairings (9 November 2026) .

11. Selected fellows begin in January 2027.

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Why Choose IceLab Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellowships

◆ Prestigious postdoctoral programme at Umeå University and SLU .
◆ Fully funded 2-year fellowship in a world-class research environment .
◆ Opportunity to work at the intersection of multiple disciplines .
◆ Connection to IceLab's excellence centre on stress response modelling .
◆ Access to IceLab's 15 years of interdisciplinary research experience .
◆ Physical workspace and community in IceLab .
◆ Strong international collaborations and network .
◆ Explore fully funded scholarships in Sweden for international students for similar programs.

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Final Thoughts – IceLab Postdoctoral Fellowships

◆ This is an exceptional opportunity for researchers to launch interdisciplinary projects .
◆ The programme values novel collaborations and computational approaches .
◆ Apply early and ensure your project aligns with IceLab's research theme .
◆ For more opportunities, explore latest scholarships in Sweden for all nationalities .

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