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 Laboratory Medicine offers a uniquely integrated and translational research environment, bridging advanced molecular and experimental medicine with clinical application. With seven specialized divisions closely linked to Karolinska University Hospital, our department spans the full spectrum from mechanistic discovery to diagnostics, advanced therapies, and academic clinical studies.
This highly collaborative ecosystem enables close interaction between basic scientists, physician-scientists, clinicians, and technology-driven research platforms, accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into improved patient care. Researchers at Labmed benefit from access to a highly integrated translational research ecosystem, including advanced platforms in proteomics and mass spectrometry, imaging and spatial omics, AI-supported diagnostics, and emerging therapeutic technologies. As host department for the Karolinska ATMP Center for cell and gene therapy, Labmed has a dedicated pre-GMP facility providing unique opportunities to bridge mechanistic discovery with translational development and clinical implementation.
As a new research group leader, you will have the opportunity to build an independent and internationally competitive research program within a supportive, multidisciplinary, and collegial environment. We are committed to long-term recruitment strategies focused on developing future academic leaders, with strong institutional support and opportunities for active engagement in teaching and departmental development..
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: Flemingsberg
The subject area of the position is Experimental Translational Medicine, with a focus on research that advances mechanistic understanding of human biology and disease while enabling clinical application. We welcome outstanding scientists whose research has the potential to generate transformative insights into disease mechanisms, diagnostics, prevention, or therapy, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes.
The research may address a broad range of disease areas and biological mechanisms, including cancer progression and metastasis, tumour immunology and immunotherapy, infection biology and host–microbe interactions, immune regulation and inflammatory disease, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, regenerative medicine, drug response and pharmacology, and rare or complex diseases. We particularly encourage applicants whose research bridges molecular or cellular mechanisms with translational opportunities in diagnostics, biomarkers, precision medicine, advanced therapies, or future clinical implementation.
Candidates may apply emerging technologies such as multi-omics, proteomics and mass spectrometry, spatial biology, advanced imaging, AI-supported analytics, computational medicine, experimental and patient-derived model systems, or innovative therapeutic platforms. The department offers a unique collaborative environment for experimentally and clinically oriented researchers aiming to bridge mechanistic and patient-centered research.
The successful applicant is expected to establish an internationally competitive and externally funded research program and will be integrated into one of the department’s seven divisions depending on scientific profile and research focus.
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.
As a research group leader at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, your mission is to advance mechanistic understanding of human biology and disease while contributing to future diagnostics, therapies, or clinical implementation. You are expected to develop an independent research profile with scientific originality and translational relevance, and to actively engage in collaborations across experimental, technological, and clinical research environments.
The position offers excellent opportunities to build a strong academic career through close interaction with clinicians, access to advanced research infrastructure, and participation in a vibrant international research community. You will be expected to secure external research funding, build and mentor a research team, supervise doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, and contribute to undergraduate and graduate education.
We value curiosity, scientific creativity, collaborative engagement, and the ability to contribute positively to a supportive and forward-looking academic culture. The successful candidate is expected to contribute not only to scientific excellence, but also to the long-term development of the department’s research environment and academic community.
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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potential to contribute positively to the department’s long-term scientific development and academic culture
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ability to secure or demonstrate strong potential to secure competitive research funding
These criteria reflect our commitment to fostering a diverse and internationally competitive research environment built on scientific excellence, originality, collaboration, and long-term academic leadership potential.
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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At least two scientific peer-reviewed original papers as first or last author, in addition to those papers included in your doctoral thesis
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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.
