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 Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics (MBB) is one of the largest and scientifically broadest preclinical departments at Karolinska Institutet, focused on basic research in biomedical sciences. We have a long and proud history of ground-breaking science, particularly in developing innovative methods and applying them to understand fundamental human biology and the mechanisms that cause disease.
MBB is housed in the state-of-the-art Biomedicum research building on the Solna campus, which co-locates several preclinical departments under one roof and is purpose-built to support cross-disciplinary collaboration. From Biomedicum the appointee will benefit from immediate access to the SciLifeLab ecosystem on the same campus — including national infrastructure for genomics, single-cell and spatial biology, advanced light and electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, structural biology, and high-performance computing — as well as to Karolinska University Hospital, one of the highest-ranked university hospitals in Europe, located directly across the road from Biomedicum and offering direct opportunities for translational collaboration with clinical researchers.
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 15 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 has broad interests, and all areas of preclinical biomedical research are eligible. We are particularly interested in topics and approaches that complement our department's existing strengths. Examples of eligible areas in fundamental biology and disease (in alphabetical order): Cancer biology; Developmental biology; Function and disorders of the nervous system; Immunity and immune-related disorders; Mechanisms of gene expression; Molecular mechanisms in redox control of cellular functions; Physiology and pathology of the vascular system; Regulation of metabolism in mammalian physiology and pathology. Examples of eligible technology areas (in alphabetical order): Computational biology; Development of assays for clinical diagnostics; Engineering of nucleic acid- or protein-based systems; Linking imaging modalities to omics; Methods development for high-throughput single-cell and spatial analysis; Nucleic acid-based nanomedicines, delivery mechanisms, and programmable drugs; Precision cell or tissue engineering; Protein design; Systems biology (including in vivo physiology).
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 an Assistant Professor at MBB, you will be expected to secure additional external funding. The department will actively support your efforts in applying for both Swedish and international grants, including those from the European Research Council and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.
You will be responsible for developing an independent line of research, establishing yourself as a leader in your field, and supervising doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers. This role includes full responsibility for managing your research activities, including budgeting, personnel oversight, and fostering a positive and productive work environment. In addition to leading your research group, you will contribute to collegiality, strategic initiatives, and leadership within the department and at Karolinska Institutet. Upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and academic integrity is essential in all aspects of your work.
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.
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. Assessment criteria already mentioned in the instructions should not be listed.
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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proven ability to secure independent research funding
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supervision experience (first-, second-, and third-cycle education)
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multidisciplinary and international collaboration
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leadership roles
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 two 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.
