Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular Host-Pathogen Interactions
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Job Summary
We are looking for a postdoctoral candidate that will work on macromolecular interactions during host-pathogen interactions by using advanced reconstitution methods advanced imaging technologies and molecular dynamics simulations.
The project will be performed at the Cell Signalling Immunity and Nanoimaging Lab (CSI:Nano) SciLifeLab and Karolinska Instituteled by Assoc. Prof. Erdinc Sezgin within the COMBINE consortium supported by EU Horizon.
SciLifeLab and KI are excellent places to carry out basic biomedical research with clinical potential. Our lab is in the intersection of biology chemistry physics and engineering aiming to reveal the molecular codes of cellular physiology and diseases. The candidate will greatly benefit from this interdisciplinary environment and unique infrastructure.
This position is for 2 years full-time employment with potential extension upon mutual agreement.
Application Deadline: 12 September 2026
Start Date: latest 1 Jan 2027
The postdoctoral fellow will follow both experimental and computations pipelines to study how different macromolecules interact and contribute to interactions of pathogens with their hosts. The fellow will develop advanced synthetic biology tools to reconstitute host-pathogen interactions analyse them quantitatively with advanced imaging and computationally with molecular dynamics simulations.
The project involves:
- applying model membrane biology tools (GUVs GPMVs SLBs BSLBs) (see Ragaller et al Advanced Science 2026; Schlegel et al Nano Letters 2023)
- imaging tools (FLIM spectral imaging lattice-light-sheet microscopy flow cytometry) (see Carravilla&Andronico& Schlegel et al Nature Protocols 2025; Schlegel et al Nano Letters 2024)
- molecular dynamics simulations (see Schahl et al Advanced Science 2026).
- working with virus like particles and human cells
- development of software and data analysis tools to characterize multiparametric datasets
- work in close collaboration with the other CSI:Nano lab members as well as other labs at SciLifeLab and KI
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.
Essential:
- BSc and MSc in life science natural sciences or engineering
- PhD in areas: cell and molecular biology biomedicine biophysics
- Strong interest in host-pathogen interactions
- Strong expertise in model membrane tools and reconstitution of proteins
- Strong expertise in imaging technologies
- Strong expertise in chemical biology probes
- Strong expertise in molecular dynamics simulations
- Strong expertise in image analysis
- Independent working skills teamwork spirit and willingness to help PhD/master students
Desired:
- Programming skills are advantageous
A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the worlds 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.
The employees at CSI:Nano Lab come from international and interdisciplinary backgrounds such as physics chemistry biomedicine molecular biology and engineering. Our working language is the lab we advocate for diversity equity and inclusion; promote open science and data sharing; encourage lab members to attend conferences; and foster healthy feedback culture. Moreover the supervisor has open-door policy for meetings and brainstorming.
As a postdoctoral fellow at CSI:Nano Lab you will be given the opportunity to develop and/or apply state-of-the-art imaging methodologies to solve biological mysteries. You will be given necessary training on the advanced bioimaging technologies and an opportunity to become a fully independent researcher in interdisciplinary science within years.
Location: SciLifeLab KI Campus Solna
An employment application must contain the following documents in English:
- PhD certificate
- A complete resumé including date of the thesis defence title of the thesis previous academic positions academic title current position academic distinctions committee work and names and contact details of three scientists for reference letters
- A complete list of publications
- A summary of current work (no more than one page)
- A brief letter describing why you want to work with us and how you can contribute to the existing knowledge in the lab (no more than one-page generic letters not accepted)
KI applies individual and differentiated salary setting in accordance with our collective agreements RALS and RALS-T
The application is to be submitted through theVarbi recruitment system.
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
Karolinska Institutet är ett av Europas största medicinska universitet. I Sverige har KI det största utbudet av medicinska utbildningar och står för den enskilt största andelen av den medicinska akademiska forskningen.
