Postdoctoral Researcher/The Strategic Research Programme for Diabetes

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Strategic Research Programme in Diabetes (SRP Diabetes) at Karolinska Institutet is funding a
prestigious fellowship programme for postdoctoral research fellows. The Programme is focused on research in diabetes and its comorbidities. With this postdoctoral programme SRP Diabetes aims to support the next generation of exceptional young scientists within the diabetes area, including both experimental and clinical research. As part of this programme, we are looking to recruit 6 outstanding postdoctoral research fellows. Full details on each project and contact information to the PIs can be found at: http://ki.se/en/srp-diabetes/postdoctoral-fellowships

Based at Karolinska Institutet, fellows will undertake a cutting-edge research project in a competitive lab and be part of the SRP Diabetes dynamic research environment where several events will be held throughout the year such as high-profile lectures, symposia, internal retreat, etc. which the fellows will attend.

The fellowships are fully funded, and salary is provided for a 2-year period. It is our intention that the positions will start in the spring of 2025, though some flexibility with the start date might be possible.
Increased white adipose tissue mass is linked to type 2 diabetes, which in turn can be treated with several different anti-hyperglycemic drugs. However, there are large interindividual variations in the efficacy and side-effects of these interventions. We hypothesize that distinct adipocyte subtypes determine insulin sensitivity and outcomes following interventions with anti-hyperglycemic drugs. This project will test our model by spatially resolving treatment responses in human WAT based on samples from a clinical trial called DIASPAX (NCT05501483). In the study, we obtain adipose tissue biopsies, which we will use to generate single-nucleus RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic data.

By jointly analyzing these data together with functional assessment of the tissue and assessments of clinical phenotypes, we will for the first-time link white adipose tissue heterogeneity to treatment responses. We are now looking for an ambitious postdoctoral fellow that will perform single-nucleus RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic analyses. The work will be undertaken in collaboration with other experts within the group as well as with members of the lab of Patrik Ståhl at SciLifeLab. There will be possibilities to follow-up key findings with wet lab experiments using state-of-the-art methods

Your mission

Key responsibilities of the selected applicant

• Plan, manage and conduct an agreed academic research project and associated activities.
• Test hypotheses and analyze scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate.
• Develop research questions, analyze detailed and complex qualitative and/or quantitative data from a variety of sources, and contribute original ideas for new research projects.
• Coordinate multiple aspects of work to deliver novel research data in accordance with established timelines set between you and the Principal Investigator.
• Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols to support
  research.
• Regularly write research articles at an international level for peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and reviews.
• Formally present your research and represent the research group at internal, national and
  international conferences and meetings, either with other members of the team or alone.
• Informally present your research to the group at established meetings.
• Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques.

Your profile

Essential 
The person appointed should have a PhD in a relevant field. Experience in common programming
languages, e.g., R/Python, and operating systems, e.g., Linux, is highly meritorious. It is a clear strength if the applicant has a proven track record in analyzing large datasets and it is expected that the candidate should be able to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently. Good knowledge in English, written and spoken, is a requirement.

Each Fellowship is for two years. To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. It is considered as an advantage if you have completed your doctoral degree within the last three years, if there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.

What do we offer?

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

Strategic Research Programme in Diabetes (SRP Diabetes) | Karolinska Institutet

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• PhD certificate
• 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
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

Welcome to apply at the latest 2025-05-23.

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

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