The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching within immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. Our key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, national and international collaborations.
We search for a research specialist that together with Professor Birgitta Henriques Normark, her research group and her collaborators, will work on projects in bacteriology and pneumococcal- and streptococcal infections to develop vaccines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies infectious diseases as one of the greatest global health threats. Respiratory tract infections are major causes of morbidity and death globally. Pneumococci are a major contributor to both morbidity and mortality and being the most common causes of milder respiratory tract infections such as otitis media and sinusitis, as well as of severe diseases such as pneumonia, septicemia and meningitis. However, pneumococci are also common colonizers of the upper respiratory tract of healthy children. Group A streptococci are major causes of milder respiratory tract infections such as tonsillitis, as well as skin infections, but also to more severe diseases such as septicemia, necrotizing fascitis, and toxic shock syndrome. There is also a risk for sequel including rheumatic heart disease.
The research group focuses on pathogenesis and host-microbe interactions with a major interest in pneumococcal and streptococcal infections.
This position includes development of bacterial pathogenesis and vaccines with a focus on pneumococcal and streptococcal infections. Identified vaccine candidates will be evaluated using genetic, proteomic, and molecular microbiology technologies as well as using in vitro and in vivo models. A production line for bacterial membrane vesicles will be set up. The major target is pneumococcal and streptococcal infections.
For employment as Research Specialist at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements stated in the Guidelines for non-teaching positions at Karolinska Institutet are applied in relation to the established profile of employment.
To be eligible for employment as a Research Specialist, in addition to holding a Degree of Doctor, PhD, or having a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a Swedish doctoral degree, the applicant must have demonstrated research expertise as well as have documented postdoctoral research experience.
Additional requirements for the position:
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We are looking for you who holds a PhD in microbiology (bacteriology) and have postdoctoral experience of pneumococcal infections.
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Previous experience in bacteriology, especially on pneumococcal and streptococcal infections, immunology, molecular microbiology, co-infections, and visualization/microscopy with super resolution techniques, especially pneumococcal pathogenesis and vaccinology.
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Documented experience in relevant research area, especially previous experiences in microbiology and of molecular techniques, and in vitro and especially in vivo animal model systems.
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Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in teams are essential.
Meritous:
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Experience with international collaborations, as well as experience in project management are of advantage.
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Social skills, creative thinking, and language skills, especially in English and Swedish are an advantage.
After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best potential to contribute to a positive development of the activities at KI.
A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Here, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. At KI, you get to meet researchers working with a wide range of specialisms and methods, giving you ample opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the various scientific fields within medicine and health. It is the crossover collaborations, which have pushed KI to where it is today, at the forefront of global research. Several of the people you meet in healthcare are educated at KI. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top quality education and research. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.
Location: Solna
Choose to work at KI - Ten reasons why
We prefer that Your application is written in English, but You can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents: PhD certificate, resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's qualifications portfolio.
The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.
KI applies individual and differentiated salary setting in accordance with our collective agreements RALS and RALS-T. Permanent position is initiated by a six months trial period.
Anställningsform: tillsvidareanställning | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 1 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100 % | Ort: Solna | Län: Stockholms län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: STÖD 2-2417/2026 | Kontakt: Birgitta Henriques Normark , Birgitta Henriques Normark , | Facklig företrädare: Carina Eklund, OFR/ST , Carina Eklund, OFR/ST , Björn Andersson, SACO , Björn Andersson, SACO , Elizabeth Valenzuela, SEKO , Elizabeth Valenzuela, SEKO , | Publicerat: 2026-06-02 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2026-06-22
