Researchers with a doctoral degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science or another relevant quantitative discipline are invited to apply for the Umeå University Postdoctoral Scholarship in Statistics 2027 in Sweden.
The Department of Statistics at Umeå University is offering 1–2 postdoctoral scholarships as part of the research project “Next-Generation Latent Variable Models for Social Data Science.” The positions are full-time for two years, with an expected start date of 1 January 2027, or by agreement.
Applications must be submitted by 4 November 2026.
The opportunity is hosted by the Department of Statistics, which forms part of the Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics.
The department has approximately 30 staff members and conducts theoretical, methodological and applied research, with particular emphasis on statistical methodology for large-scale and register-based data and applications with societal relevance.
Successful postdoctoral researchers will join a new research group focused on developing statistical methodology for the social and behavioural sciences. The research environment addresses challenges associated with increasingly large-scale and high-dimensional datasets that may contain substantial measurement uncertainty.
The project places particular emphasis on latent variable modelling, where important quantities cannot be directly observed and instead need to be inferred from available data.
About the Research Project
The Next-Generation Latent Variable Models for Social Data Science project aims to develop new statistical methods for increasingly complex and heterogeneous social and behavioural science data.
The research will focus on:
- Integrating quantitative and textual information.
- Accounting for structural changes in measurement processes over time.
- Developing scalable statistical inference methods for high-dimensional settings.
- Creating reliable and robust statistical methodology for socially important applications.
Postdoctoral researchers will become part of an international research environment that includes Stat4Reg, which develops statistical and machine-learning methods for register data, and the Umeå SIMSAM Lab, an interdisciplinary infrastructure for linked population data on health and welfare.
The research group also maintains collaborations with researchers across Europe, North and South America, and Asia, as well as links with organisations in the educational testing industry and non-profit sector.
What Will the Postdoctoral Researcher Do?
The successful candidates will have opportunities to contribute to methodological and computational research while developing their own academic profiles.
The position provides opportunities to:
- Develop new theory, methodology and computational approaches for latent variable models.
- Apply statistical methods to research questions of high societal importance.
- Present research at international conferences.
- Submit research papers to leading journals.
- Establish international research collaborations.
- Develop an independent research profile.
This makes the scholarship particularly relevant to researchers interested in statistical methodology, machine learning, social data science and quantitative research.
Umeå University Postdoctoral Scholarship 2027: Who Can Apply?
Applicants must have completed a doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign doctoral qualification. The doctoral qualification must be completed no later than the time when the decision on the scholarship recipient is made.
Priority is expected to be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree within the previous three years. Candidates who completed their doctorate earlier may also be considered where special circumstances apply.
Recognised special circumstances may include illness, parental leave, certain trade union assignments, military service, clinical practice or other relevant appointments or assignments.
The doctorate should be in:
- Statistics
- Mathematical statistics
- Mathematics
- Computer science
- Another relevant quantitative discipline
Additional Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate a strong foundation in statistical modelling and inference and experience developing new statistical methodology.
Candidates are also expected to have:
- Very good programming skills.
- Good written and spoken English.
- The ability to formulate and independently develop methodological research questions.
- The ability to approach new statistical problems creatively.
- An ability to collaborate with researchers from different disciplinary backgrounds.
Experience with particular statistical methods may strengthen an application.
Meriting criteria include experience with latent variable models or closely related statistical models, as well as experience with change-point methods, text analysis or scalable statistical inference.
Published research in peer-reviewed statistical journals is also considered a merit.
Application Requirements
Applicants must prepare a complete application in English or Swedish.
The application should contain:
- A personal letter summarising qualifications, competencies and interest in the position, including how previous experience relates to the research project.
- A research plan of no more than three pages, excluding references, describing research interests relevant to the postdoctoral position.
- A Curriculum Vitae.
- A publication list.
- Up to three selected publications, including the PhD thesis.
- Copies of relevant degree certificates and other supporting documentation.
- Names and contact details, including email addresses, for at least two referees.
Supporting documents should be submitted in Word or PDF format.
Applications must be registered through Umeå University’s Varbi e-recruitment system.
Scholarship Details
Institution: Umeå University
Department: Department of Statistics
Position: Postdoctoral Scholarship
Number of opportunities: 1–2
Duration: 2 years
Study/research area: Statistics and quantitative disciplines
Location: Umeå, Sweden
Workload: 100% full-time
Start date: 1 January 2027, or by agreement
Funding: Scholarship/stipendium
Deadline: 4 November 2026
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the Umeå University Postdoctoral Scholarship in Statistics is 4 November 2026.
Applicants should ensure that their application is complete and submitted through the university’s Varbi recruitment system before the deadline. Candidates are also encouraged to allow sufficient time to prepare the research plan, publication materials, degree documentation and referee details.
Have You Applied?
Researchers interested in statistical methodology, latent variable models, machine learning, social data science and high-dimensional data can review the eligibility requirements and prepare their applications for this two-year postdoctoral research opportunity in Sweden.
Applicants should carefully tailor their personal letter and research plan to the Next-Generation Latent Variable Models for Social Data Science project and clearly demonstrate how their research experience aligns with the position.
For further information about the scholarship, applicants can contact PI Gabriel Wallin at the email address provided in the official announcement.
