The Lanner Lab, which is part of the division of obstetrics and gynecology within the department of clinical science, intervention and technology (CLINTEC), has developed a method to produce retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Transplantation of RPE cells can hopefully slow the progression of the disease but can never restore lost vision. To restore vision, new photoreceptors are also required. This project aims to develop a scalable bioprocess strategy to generate RPE and photoreceptor cells and micro for efficient engraftment in the retina.
As a postdoctoral researcher you will work in our team to establish a method for differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into retinal cells and tissues. The work will specifically employ scalable culture modalities and bioreactors. This work will be undertaken in close collaboration with industrial partners and will involve culturing and differentiating pluripotent stem cells, cell isolation, genetic analysis and microscopy. Produced retinal cells and microtissues will be tested in animal models together with Professor Anders Kvanta and Dr. Filippo Locri. Once functionality has been demonstrated in animal models, the work will focus on making the method clinically compatible for future clinical trials, which may include the use of a bioreactor.
To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, a PhD or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a Swedish PhD is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. Completion of your doctoral degree within the last three years is considered an advantage. If there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.
In addition, you have experience in the following:
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Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells
It is meritorious if you have experience in the following:
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Retinal developmental biology or production of retinal cell types
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Flow cytometry, cell sorting, microscopy, bioreactors and clinical cell production
As a person, you have strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work in teams and present scientific work. You are structured in your approach and take initiative to independently drive your work forward. You can quickly switch between different tasks and focus on solutions rather than problems when unexpected situations arise. Furthermore, you are performance-oriented and motivated to achieve goals with high quality. The position involves collaboration with international colleagues, which requires good skills in English, both spoken and written.
A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. At Karolinska Institutet, 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: Flemingsberg
Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why
Welcome to apply no later than July 31, 2026.
An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:
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PhD certificate
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A complete resumé, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
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A complete list of publications
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A summary of current work (no more than one page)
KI applies individual and differentiated salary setting in accordance with our collective agreements RALS and RALS-T
The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.
Anställningsform: tidsbegränsad anställning | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 1 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100% | Ort: Flemingsberg | Län: Stockholms län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: STÖD 2-2963/2026 | Kontakt: Fredrik Lanner 08-52483671, Fredrik Lanner 08-52483671, | Facklig företrädare: Carina Eklund, OFR/ST , Carina Eklund, OFR/ST , Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO , Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO , | Publicerat: 2026-07-03 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2026-07-31
