Research Infrastructure Specialist in Computational Biology/Bioinformatics (Multi-modal data integration)

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Computational methods and AI applied to large-scale molecular data are transforming biology - from molecular structures and cellular processes to human health and ecosystems. As part of SciLifeLab, a unique nation-wide infrastructure and research community that combines advanced life science technologies with data and AI expertise, the Chemical Biology and Genome Engineering platform (CBGE) is looking for a Research Infrastructure Specialist in Computational Biology and/or Bioinformatics. CBGE focuses on small molecule-induced perturbations and their phenotypic outcomes and applies multi-modal approaches to elucidate and study the mechanism of action of small molecules.

Your mission

We are looking for an experienced Bioinformatician/Computational Biologist to lead the analysis of complex, multi-modal datasets generated by perturbing living systems with pooled CRISPR screens or small molecules, and profiling the outcomes with orthogonal methods such as NGS, chemical proteomics, and imaging. As the computational lead at CBGE, you will coordinate data-driven projects, spark collaboration across research units, and serve as the key bridge to the National Bioinformatics Infrastructure (NBIS) and the SciLifeLab Data Center. This is your chance to combine scientific leadership with advanced data integration, and to shape how drug-induced phenotypic changes are transformed into actionable biological insights.

You will work in a multidisciplinary environment connecting wet-lab scientists, computational chemists, bioinformaticians, data specialists and system developers.  The role combines direct involvement in analyses with coordinating a small team. You will drive multi-modal data integration across genetic, proteomic, and chemical datasets using classical and/or AI/ML approaches.

• Translate heterogeneous data into coherent biological models and hypotheses that can guide discovery.
• Coordinate and mentor computational staff at CBGE, aligning methods and ensuring high-quality analysis support.
• Harmonise data management, advance FAIR principles, make sure data is AI-ready and help establish centralised SciLifeLab data support.

Eligibility requirements

• PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, or a related field
• Proven methodological and research expertise
• Strong programming skills (Python, R, Bash or equivalent) for omics data processing, QC, statistical testing, and visualization to support biological discovery
• Solid foundation in statistical and quantitative methods
• Proficiency in working with Unix/Linux environments
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, service-minded approach
• Fluency in English, spoken and written 

For employment as Research Infrastructure Specialist at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements stated in the Guidelines for non-teaching positions at Karolinska Institutet are applied in relation to the established profile of employment.

To be eligible for an employment as Research Infrastructure Specialist the applicant must have demonstrated research expertise and been awarded a PhD or a qualification from a foreign higher education institution deemed equivalent to a Swedish PhD. The applicant must also have demonstrated technological and methodological expertise.

Assessment criteria

Experience or expertise in any of the following areas are not required, but meritorious:

• NGS and Omics Data Analysis: Processing and visualization of large-scale sequencing data (FASTQ/BAM, alignment, QC, variant calling), as well as single-cell and spatial omics workflows.
• Pathway and Gene Set Analysis: Gene set enrichment and pathway analysis using fgsea, clusterProfiler, Enrichr, ReactomePA, and databases such as KEGG, Reactome, and GO
• Pipeline Development: Development and maintenance of reproducible pipelines (Snakemake, Nextflow) with version control and containerization (Docker/Singularity)
• Statistical Modeling: Quantitative data analysis using GLMs, Bayesian methods, or mixed-effect models to interpret complex perturbation datasets
• Multi-Modal Data Integration: Track record of integrating and interpreting diverse data types (e.g. genetic, proteomic, chemical, imaging, etc.)
• AI/ML Applications in Biology: Using ML or AI for representation learning, predictive modelling, or functional inference, including deep learning approaches.
• Cheminformatics & Chemical Biology Data: Familiarity with molecular representations, compound annotation, or predictive modelling
• FAIR & Metadata Management: Knowledge of public repositories, metadata standards, and ensuring datasets are FAIR and AI-ready
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong skills in teaching, outreach, and working with non-experts; supportive team player Experience in coordinating or leading small computational teams
• Postdoctoral experience in a related field 

After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best potential to contribute to a positive development of the activities at KI.

What do we offer?

Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. As part of the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, CBGE’s comprising units Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, CRISPR Functional Genomics and Chemical Proteomics offer a collaborative, dynamic, and friendly work environment. You will be based at SciLifeLab Campus Solna, which together with the surrounding Karolinska Institutet campus forms one of Europe’s largest and most vibrant research environments.

We encourage personal and professional growth through access to courses, workshops, and conferences. We foster a flexible and supportive work culture, emphasizing collaboration, mentoring, and peer learning. While this position is initially limited to one year, it is anticipated to be advertised as a permanent position, and the current holder will be encouraged to apply, contingent on strong performance during the first year.

Location: SciLifeLab, Solna

SciLifeLab Chemical Biology and Genome Engineering
Karolinska Institutet Research Infrastructure
New Career Path for Research Infrastructure Specialists

Application

Your application should preferably be in English, but you may also apply in Swedish. It must be written in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's qualifications portfolio for research infrastructure specialist/senior research infrastructure specialist and must include a cover letter detailing why you are a strong match for the position. The cover letter should be written personally and not generated by AI tools.

The deadline for application is 2025-10-31.

Applications must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all!