Postdoctoral Researcher in Systems Biology of Energy Metabolism

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Rydén and Mejhert laboratory investigates how alterations in human white adipocyte function contribute to cardiometabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis. Our multidisciplinary team comprises 15–20 members and includes postdoctoral fellows, PhD and master’s students, and technical staff, conducts cutting-edge translational research. We are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a comprehensive preclinical laboratory at KI Campus Flemingsberg and a dedicated clinical research unit at Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, enabling seamless integration from basic science to clinical application.

Your mission

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher to join our team for an exciting project investigating mitochondrial function in adipocytes. The focus of the project is a poorly characterized protein localized to adipocyte mitochondria, predicted to act as an oxidoreductase. Our preliminary findings show that loss of this protein impairs insulin-stimulated conversion of glucose into fatty acids. In addition, mass spectrometry-based tracing of glucose reveals reduced labeling of TCA cycle intermediates, suggesting a broader defect in mitochondrial glucose metabolism.

The successful candidate will dissect the molecular and metabolic functions of this protein using a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches. This includes leveraging our existing metabolomic tracing datasets to map altered metabolic pathways and analyzing an adipocyte-specific knockout mouse model to evaluate systemic metabolic consequences. Specifically, the project will integrate cutting-edge cell biology techniques, including CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing (e.g., CRISPRi/a, base editing), confocal microscopy, and metabolic flux analysis in human adipocytes. These in vitro studies will be complemented by comprehensive in vivo metabolic phenotyping, including metabolic cage experiments and glucose and insulin tolerance tests in knockout mice. To gain mechanistic insights, the candidate will lead transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of both human adipocytes and mouse tissues.

This position is embedded in a vibrant and interdisciplinary research environment with strong links to clinical studies and translational metabolic research. It offers outstanding opportunities for scientific growth, collaboration, and career development.

Your profile

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor, 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.

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in metabolic research and a passion for uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying adipocyte function. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in cellular metabolism, with a particular focus on mitochondrial biology, metabolic flux analysis, and bioenergetics. Experience with mass spectrometry-based techniques, particularly in metabolic tracing, is highly desirable. Bioinformatic expertise, particularly in R, Python, or similar programming languages, will be a valuable asset for integrating and analyzing multi-omic datasets in this project.

Additionally, experience with CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing, cloning, cell culture techniques, and working with mouse models will be highly advantageous and critical for the success of the project. The successful applicant will demonstrate the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, meet deadlines, and work independently, while also thriving in a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the capacity to critically analyze complex data will be key to the success of the project. The candidate should also demonstrate leadership potential in guiding key experimental aspects.

Proficiency in both written and spoken English is essential for effective communication, manuscript preparation, and collaboration with international partners.

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

Rydén and Mejhert laboratory 
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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 2025-08-15

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

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