Summary
The Karolinska Institutet, Department of Women´s and Children’s Health, is seeking a postdoctoral candidate to work on macromolecular interactions during host-pathogen interactions. The position will utilize advanced reconstitution methods, imaging technologies, and molecular dynamics simulations. The project takes place at the Cell Signalling, Immunity and Nanoimaging Lab (CSI:Nano), SciLifeLab, led by Assoc. Prof. Erdinc Sezgin within the EU Horizon-supported COMBINE consortium.
Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular Host-Pathogen Interactions, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
Designation
Postdoctoral Researcher
Job Details Table
| Category | Details |
| Type of employment | Temporary position (2 years with potential extension) |
| Contract type | Full-time (100%) |
| First day of employment | Latest 1 Jan 2027 (According to agreement) |
| Salary | Monthly salary (individual and differentiated setting) |
| Number of positions | 1 |
| Reference number | STÖD 2-3271/2026 |
Research Area
Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine, Biophysics, and Synthetic Biology with a focus on Host-Pathogen Interactions.
Location
SciLifeLab, KI, Campus Solna (Solna, Stockholms län, Sweden)
Eligibility/Qualifications
A PhD (completed within the last three years is advantageous) or a foreign degree equivalent to a Swedish PhD. This requirement must be fulfilled at the time of the employment decision.
Essential Requirements:
- BSc and MSc in life science, natural sciences, or engineering.
- PhD in cell and molecular biology, biomedicine, or biophysics.
- Strong interest in host-pathogen interactions.
- Strong expertise in model membrane tools and reconstitution of proteins.
- Strong expertise in imaging technologies and chemical biology probes.
- Strong expertise in molecular dynamics simulations and image analysis.
- Independent working skills, teamwork spirit, and willingness to help students.
Desired Qualifications:
- Programming skills.
Job Description
The postdoctoral fellow will follow both experimental and computational pipelines to study how different macromolecules interact and contribute to pathogen-host interactions. Key responsibilities include:
- Developing advanced synthetic biology tools to reconstitute host-pathogen interactions.
- Applying model membrane biology tools (GUVs, GPMVs, SLBs, BSLBs).
- Utilizing imaging tools (FLIM, spectral imaging, lattice-light-sheet microscopy, flow cytometry).
- Performing molecular dynamics simulations.
- Working with virus-like particles and human cells.
- Developing software and data analysis tools to characterize multiparametric datasets.
- Working closely with CSI:Nano lab members and other SciLifeLab and KI teams.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted in English through the Varbi recruitment system and must contain the following documents:
- PhD certificate.
- A complete resumé (including thesis defense date, thesis title, previous/current academic positions, distinctions, committee work, and contact details of three scientists for reference letters).
- A complete list of publications.
- A summary of current work (maximum one page).
- A brief, customized cover letter describing why you want to work with the team and how you can contribute to the lab’s existing knowledge (maximum one page; generic letters are not accepted).
Last Date for Apply
12 September 2026
