Are you a bold, creative researcher ready to shape the future of medical science? Karolinska Institutet (KI), one of the world’s foremost medical universities, is launching a major recruitment initiative in 2026. KI is looking for up to 21 outstanding early- career researchers to join us as Assistant Professors in a wide range of subject areas.
At KI, we foster a vibrant and international academic environment that values curiosity, collaboration, innovation, and high quality research. We are looking for inspiring scientists who are motivated to contribute to and further develop strong research and education environment, and who demonstrate high quality science and potential for academic leadership.
The Department of Global Public Health is seeking a driven researcher to join our dynamic team. We offer an exceptional environment for conducting world-leading public health research, including access to national health registries, close collaboration with the healthcare system, and long-standing international partnerships.
Our department hosts Sweden's largest concentration of public health researchers. We are dedicated to high-quality research that enhances the understanding of how structural and individual factors affect population health and identifies effective health promotion and disease prevention interventions. Our rigorous methodological approaches include an array of qualitative and quantitative methods as well as randomised controlled trials, among others. With an extensive tradition of innovative and interdisciplinary research ranging from health habits to health systems, our projects address global health challenges such as health equity, sustainable development, disaster preparedness and mental health.
Many researchers at the department serve as scientific advisors to various health authorities, government agencies and other decision-makers at regional, national, and international levels. Additionally, our department has a strong global profile and is responsible for three international master's programmes, in which researchers take an active teaching role. The department has 12 research groups, approximately 120 doctoral students, and about 140 employees.
If you meet our requirements and propose a groundbreaking research project, we are prepared to employ you as an Assistant Professor for six years and support you with a generous funding package of 9 MSEK to cover your salary and other research costs. KI offers the opportunity to be promoted from a time-limited (six-year) position as Assistant Professor to permanent employment as Senior Lecturer. You can read more about it here.
At KI, you will be part of an interdisciplinary research community. Our researchers work across a wide range of fields and methodologies within medicine and health, creating rich opportunities for knowledge exchange and cross-disciplinary collaboration. You will also benefit from close connections with healthcare providers, ensuring your research remains closely aligned with real-world clinical practice.
As a governmental authority, KI offers a comprehensive benefits package governed by collective agreements. These include annual salary reviews, supplementary insurance, and opportunities to participate in institutional decision-making.
A successful research career is supported by a strong personal foundation. Sweden is known for being a family-friendly country, offering a high quality of life, generous parental leave, and excellent childcare and education systems — creating a welcoming environment for both researchers and their families.
At KI, we value differences in backgrounds and perspectives, and diversity, equity and inclusion are parts of our core values. KI is dedicated to our work for equal opportunities and rejects all forms of discrimination.
Learn more about what KI and Sweden can offer, and the different calls!
Location: Solna
The position is situated within an interdisciplinary public health and social medicine research environment focused on mental and sexual health. Mental and sexual health are deeply interconnected dimensions of human health and well-being, shaped by biological, psychological, relational, social, and societal factors across the life course. The field encompasses the study of sexuality, sexual well-being, identity, relationships, and mental health, including how these factors influence well-being, functioning, quality of life, and life outcomes across diverse populations and social contexts. The subject area addresses current and emerging public health challenges related to mental and sexual health and well-being in contemporary society. Central areas include mental and sexual health across the life course, including among young people and populations facing social or structural vulnerabilities, as well as knowledge gaps related to sexual well-being, women’s sexuality, and sexual health and well-being in later life. The field also encompasses societal and healthcare challenges related to the integration of sexual health within healthcare and public health systems, as well as sexual risk exposure, gender-based and sexual violence, and sexual exploitation.
This Assistant Professor position offers excellent opportunities to build a strong academic profile-primarily by developing your independence as a researcher, while also gaining valuable teaching and pedagogical experience.
The position involves independently developing and leading high-quality research within the field of mental and sexual health. The role includes contributing to and strengthening the interdisciplinary research environment at the Department of Global Public Health, as well as collaborating with relevant stakeholders in healthcare, policy, and society.
Research within the position is expected to address important and emerging challenges related to mental and sexual health and well-being, including prevention, healthcare integration, sexual well-being, identity, vulnerability, and life outcomes across diverse populations and social contexts. The position also includes teaching and supervision at undergraduate, master, and doctoral levels.
To be eligible for an appointment as Assistant Professor, you must demonstrate good scientific skills according to KI’s eligibility criteria as follows:
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A PhD (or equivalent degree) in a relevant subject area
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At least two peer-reviewed original scientific publications as first or last author, in addition to the doctoral thesis
Priority is given to those who were awarded a PhD (or attained equivalent competence) no more than seven years prior to the expiry of the deadline for the application.
Those who have been awarded a doctoral degree or attained equivalent research competence earlier will also be considered if there are special circumstances for absence from research (deductible time), such as: parental leave, long-term illness, positions of trust in trade union organizations or mandatory service in total defence.
The circumstances, dates and extent must be clearly specified in the application and verified by relevant documentation.
For this call, exceptions are made from all pedagogical requirements specified in the instructions regarding the Appointment procedure for teachers at KI. However, you must complete three weeks of higher education pedagogical courses in accordance with the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions’ recommendations, no later than two years after starting your employment as an Assistant Professor (unless you can certify that you have completed equivalent training before starting the position).
Candidates will be evaluated based on both scientific and pedagogical qualifications, with greater emphasis placed on scientific excellence. The full set of assessment criteria is outlined in the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at KI.
Particularly meritorious is:
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the scientific quality, originality, and feasibility of your research plan within the relevant subject area
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documented experience in research environments outside KI, with special consideration given to international research experience
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the capacity to advance the field of mental and sexual health through innovative, interdisciplinary, or methodologically rigorous research
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experience of interdisciplinary research collaboration relevant to the subject area
These criteria reflect our commitment to fostering university with diverse and globally recognised researchers who contribute to high quality science and excellent academic citizenship.
The criteria listed will form part of the overall assessment of the applicant. All criteria will be assessed but they should not individually be seen as requirements.
Offers will be extended to the best candidate based on an overall assessment of the applicant’s expertise and merits in relation to the subject area.
All applicants are expected to follow the application instructions carefully. Failure to comply with the guidelines or misrepresentation of qualifications may negatively impact on the evaluation of your application.
The application shall consist of the following documents, written in English:
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A personal letter (maximum 1 page)
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Application form, including your research project (Application form)
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Up to ten published papers and optionally one manuscript, in PDF format
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PhD certificate
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If you have a PhD that is older than seven years and want to claim deductible time, you must attach a certificate of deductible time in Swedish or English.
Welcome to apply no later than August 31, 2026 (time 23.59 CEST).
KI applies individual and differentiated salary setting in accordance with our collective agreements RALS and RALS-T.
The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.
Read more regardning the calls, conditions regarding funding and employment!
Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all.
Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all!
