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.
Do you aspire to pursue ground-breaking research in tumour biology research?
Welcome to the Department of Oncology-Pathology which consists of more than 35 individual research groups and approximately 300 staff members. We offer a dynamic and strong research environment to generate novel scientific discoveries leading to improved diagnostics, treatments, and quality of life for patients with cancer.
Our research and educational facilities are located at Bioclinicum within the Karolinska University Hospital that houses approximately 1,000 life science researchers. We are also located within the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLabs) which provides access to advanced technologies including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, spatial biology, cellular and molecular imaging, and bioinformatics.
KI provides a highly attractive and strategically strong environment for basic cancer research, characterized by a large and diverse community of fundamental tumour biology groups, access to world‑class research infrastructure, and stable national funding. Through the umbrella organization Cancer Research KI, with more than 400 research groups spanning basic, translational, and clinical cancer research, KI fosters an interdisciplinary and intellectually vibrant setting that supports ambitious, curiosity‑driven and long‑term basic cancer science.
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 12 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 Department of Oncology Pathology at Karolinska Institutet offers a highly attractive environment for Fundamental tumour biology research, with the overarching goal of advancing knowledge of fundamental mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression. The Department combines curiosity driven tumour biology research with strong links to pathology and oncology and provides state of the art infrastructure at BioClinicum and SciLifeLab. Embedded within Cancer Research KI, OnkPat fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to enable impactful, long-term discoveries that ultimately contribute to improved cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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.
This is a full-time position where your responsibility is to conduct research in Fundamental tumour biology research with the expectation to develop a high-quality competitive research environment. You are expected to apply for external research funding, disseminate your research findings, and contribute to undergraduate and doctoral education, supervise PhD students and postdocs, and engage in national and international collaborations.
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.
- Documented experience in research environments outside KI, with special consideration given to international research experience.
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Fundamental research using in vivo and/or in vitro models as well as patient-derived ex vivo models.
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Advanced technologies to analyse tumour characteristics.
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Supervision of PhD students.
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Documented dissemination of high quality and cancer relevant research.
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).
For more information about the calls, conditions regarding funding and employment, see here.
Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all.
