Professor in Virology

- with focus on research

Do you want to contribute to better health for all?

The Department of Laboratory Medicine (LabMed) at Karolinska Institutet (KI) consists of seven divisions conducting research and education in pathology, clinical pharmacology, clinical physiology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, clinical immunology, and transfusion medicine. The divisions work in close collaboration with their corresponding clinical laboratory specialties within Medical Diagnostics at Karolinska University Hospital. LabMed is characterized by a translational research profile, built on strong synergies between basic science, technical/bioanalytical expertise, and clinical competence, with excellent access to clinical materials and extensive external collaborations. LabMed also carries significant responsibility for KI’s educational activities, contributing to 10 of KI’s 19 undergraduate programmes and offering numerous courses at the doctoral level.

Description of the subject area

Virology is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field of research encompassing the study of viral biology, virus–host cell interactions, and the molecular and immunological mechanisms that govern infection, disease progression, and transmission. The discipline includes both basic and applied research, with a focus on human pathogenic viruses, diagnostics, antiviral strategies, and the development of new therapeutic approaches. At the Division of Clinical Microbiology, research spans from molecular mechanisms and viral genetics to clinical studies and epidemiology. Virology is central to understanding and combating infectious diseases, which is essential for global public health. The field has strong links to systems biology and bioinformatics, where the integration of large-scale data from genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics enables a comprehensive understanding of virus–host interactions and disease processes. It is also closely connected to translational research, where laboratory discoveries can be transformed into clinical benefit.

Your mission

As a Professor of Virology, you will play a central role in developing and strengthening the department’s research and educational profile in the field. You are expected to conduct high-quality research aimed at deepening our understanding of virus–host interactions and the complex mechanisms that drive disease progression. An important aspect of the role is to develop new methods and analytical strategies that can be translated into clinical practice and contribute to improved diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of viral diseases. You will lead and inspire a research group, supervise doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows, and actively contribute to the department’s translational research environment. The professorship also entails substantial teaching responsibilities at the undergraduate, advanced, and doctoral levels, including course leadership and the development of teaching materials, and in ensuring that the teaching remains aligned with the latest knowledge and technologies in the field. In addition to research and teaching duties, you are expected to provide academic leadership, promote national and international collaborations, and contribute to the strategic development of the department. The role requires a visionary researcher with the ability to integrate large-scale data, identify new research questions, and translate knowledge into practical solutions that enhance preparedness for future viral threats.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for employment as Professor with a focus on research the applicant must must have demonstrated excellent scientific skills and very good pedagogical skills.

For employment as Professor at KI, the eligibility requirements are stated in the Instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure and these are applied in relation to established profile of employment:

See the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet.

In addition, you must have completed at least 10 weeks of higher education pedagogy training (or possess equivalent competence) in accordance with SUHF’s recommendations for qualifying pedagogical training in higher education. If such training has not been completed at the time of employment, you are expected to complete it within the first two years of the appointment.

Assessment criteria

The Professorship has a focus on research. The assessment will weight qualifications as follows: skills (3), pedagogical skills (2), leadership and collaboration skills (2)

For employment as Professor at KI, the assessment criteria are stated in the Instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure and these are applied in relation to established profile of employment:

See the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet.

It is furthermore meritorious you have demonstrated:

• A strong track record of internationally recognized research in virology, particularly through innovative application of systems biology approaches
• Experience in applying advanced systems biology techniques to address complex challenges in virology
• Translational research contributing to improved diagnostics, treatments, or public health interventions in the field of virology
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaborations and research projects

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

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. KI is one of the world's leading medical universities. Here, 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

Department of Laboratory Medicine | Karolinska Institutet
Division of Clinical Microbiology | Karolinska Institutet

Application

Your application must contain the following documents in English: a cover letter as well as a resumé and a qualifications portfolio including a description of your research plan, both presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s template (http://ki.se/qualificationsportfolio). You may change or add to your application at any time up to and including the application deadline date. After the deadline, the process closes, and no amendment or addition can be made to your application.

The applications will be reviewed by external reviewers, most often both national and international. For that reason, all the submitted documents should be written in English.

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

We look forward to receiving your application!

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