Third-cycle subject: Biological Physics
The AICell Lab (https://aicell.io) in the department of Applied Physics at KTH and Science for Life Laboratory pursues interdisciplinary research in cell and molecular biology. The group is led by Wei Ouyang and combines wet-lab work with automated experimental platforms and AI-driven analysis tools.
We are opening two biology-focused doctoral positions in biological physics to study cell biology, working alongside colleagues in automation, computation, and AI-driven analysis. Projects will be shaped with each student at the start of their studies, around their scientific interests.
As a doctoral student, you will:
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Design and run experimental cell-biology work — including cell culture, perturbation studies, microscopy, and related molecular biology methods.
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Interpret results biologically and drive scientific questions forward.
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Collaborate with colleagues working on automation, computation, and AI-driven analysis.
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Contribute to publications and to the scientific dialogue in cell and molecular biology.
Supervision: Professor Hjalmar Brismar and Assistant Professor Wei Ouyang are proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission
To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:
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Passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
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Completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
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Acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge
Special eligibility:
- A degree (or equivalent) in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, biomedicine, biophysics, or a closely related life-science field.
In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.
In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:
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Independently pursue his or her work
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Collaborate with others,
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Have a professional approach and
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Analyze and work with complex issues.
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A strong biological foundation and genuine curiosity about cell and molecular biology.
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Practical experience with experimental biological work (cell culture, microscopy, molecular biology methods, or similar).
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Ability and willingness to collaborate in an interdisciplinary team that combines biology, automation, and AI-driven analysis.
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Good communication skills in English — both to explain biology and to collaborate across disciplines.
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Basic programming or data-analysis skills (Python/R) are meriting but not required.
After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.
Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.
As a doctoral student, you are entitled to a workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement. Read more about Doctoral studies (PhD) | KTH | Sweden.
Contact information for union representatives.
Contact information for PhD chapter.
Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.
Applications must include the following elements:
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Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
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CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge. Please also provide your Github/Gitlab id.
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Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
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Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.
Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).
For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.
It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.
We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.
Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.
Join us at KTHKTH shapes the future through education, research and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in advancing the transition towards a sustainable society. At KTH, you have the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic environment, with good working conditions and attractive benefits. Equality, diversity and equal opportunities are essential to quality and form an integral part of KTH’s core values as a university and public authority. Learn more about our benefits and what it's like to work and grow at KTH
Anställningsform: tidsbegränsad anställning | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 1 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100% | Ort: Stockholm | Län: Stockholms län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: PA-2026-2551 | Kontakt: Wei Ouyang , Wei Ouyang , | Publicerat: 2026-09-03 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2026-10-15
