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 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 with research and education characterised by curiosity, collaboration, innovation, and quality. 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 Dental Medicine is internationally renowned for its research and education in dentistry and dental care. In 2026, our state-of-the-art education in dentistry and dental care was ranked number one among the world's universities.
We are at the forefront of innovative translational dental research with the goal of improving oral health, preventing and treating oral diseases, and understanding the connections with systemic health.
The University Dental Clinic and our research laboratories are based on Campus Flemingsberg, in the collaborative environment ANA Futura that supports the latest technological innovations.
We train dental hygienists, dentists, specialist dentists and researchers and offer supplementary education for dentists trained outside the EU.
Most of the students' clinical education takes place at the university dental clinic, which consists of seven specialties.
We are environmentally certified according to ISO 14001:2015, which means that we continuously work to reduce our negative environmental impact.
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 million SEK 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. Read more about it!
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 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!
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We are looking for a committed and creative candidate in clinical oral sciences with connections to dental research, oral health and related areas. We welcome applications within the entire subject area, where relevant specializations may include, but not be limited to, digital dentistry, digital technology, clinical decision-making, application of digital methods in dentistry, registry-based studies and oral epidemiology in relation to general health.
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 offers a good opportunity to build a strong academic profile. The focus is on developing your independence as a researcher, while gaining valuable experience in teaching and pedagogical work.
We are looking for a candidate with strong expertise in clinical oral science who wants to contribute to the development of important odontological issues. You are expected to be able to work independently, while having good collaboration skills. We also see that you are flexible, take initiative and have good social skills in a team environment. You will work towards establishing and leading your own research group as a principal researcher. You should also have an interest in contributing to the development and improvement of education at the department.
The position offers a good opportunity to build a strong academic profile. The focus is on developing your independence as a researcher, while gaining valuable experience in teaching and pedagogical work.
We are looking for a candidate with strong expertise in clinical oral science who wants to contribute to the development of important odontological issues. You are expected to be able to work independently, while having good collaboration skills. We also see that you are flexible, take initiative and have good social skills in a team environment. You will work towards establishing and leading your own research group as a principal researcher. You should also have an interest in contributing to the development and improvement of education at the department.
We are looking for a person with a holistic view who can make relevant priorities based on the needs of the subject area of clinical oral science.
When assessing the applicants, we place particular emphasis on research quality, scientific results and research plan, pedagogical qualifications and experience, personal qualities and motivation to develop and contribute to the academic environment.
To be eligible for an appointment as Assistant Professor, you must demonstrate good scientific skills and good pedagogical 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
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Three weeks of courses on teaching in higher education, as indicated in the recommendations of the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institution. If you lack such education at the time of employment, you must undergo such education during the first two years of employment
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Experience of teaching of a high standard at first, second or third-cycle level
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Experience of teaching activities using a variety of methods, such as clinical skills training, lectures, team-based learning and laboratory work
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.
Candidates will be evaluated based on both scientific and pedagogical qualifications, with greater emphasis placed on pedagogical quality. The full set of assessment criteria is outlined in the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at KI.
Particularly meritorious are:
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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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Documented experience of independent pedagogical work, including teaching, course planning, assessment, and pedagogical reflection
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Multidisciplinary and international collaboration
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Leadership experience
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 is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.
Information about conditions regarding funding and employment.
