Research assistant in novel therapies for metastatic gastric cancer

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Esophageal and Gastric Cancer Research Group at the Division of Surgery and Oncology at the Department of Clinical science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC) has a comprehensive program of translational research in collaboration with Andrea Ponzetta’s Research Group Unconventional T cells in human pathology, which is part of the Center for Infectious Medicine (CIM). CIM is a leading research unit in translational studies of the human immune system in the context of chronic inflammation, infectious diseases and cancer. This ongoing translational research collaboration aims to develop and implement innovative treatments for gastric and esophageal cancer.

The research assistant we are seeking will work in the Ponzetta Team lab at CIM, offering an engaging research environment where you may contribute to high quality research at international level. The project will build on samples collected within the recently initiated IPaGastric trial to investigate immune variation during therapy and its relationship to treatment outcomes. Using state-of-the-art technologies, including high-dimensional flow cytometry, single-cell transcriptomics and proteomics, the project aims to advance our understanding of antitumour immune responses and identify biomarkers for improved patient stratification and treatment efficacy.

Your mission

We are looking for a research assistant who will be working together with PhD students, postdocs and research nurses in a translational project linked to a multicentric clinical trial aimed at assessing the clinical efficacy of local chemotherapy administration in gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastases. The project consists in the longitudinal immune monitoring of patients undergoing treatment to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers of therapy response. Experimental duties will include the isolation and functional characterisation of immune cells, with a particular focus on the peritoneal fluid.

The position is a temporary employment for one year.

Some of your main responsibilities will include: 

• Isolation and storage/biobanking of cells from fresh human blood and tissues collected from cancer patients.
• Immune characterization of collected samples by flow cytometry, scRNAseq and proteomics.

Your profile

Required qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Medical Science, Immunology or equivalent at the latest by the employments start.
• Experience in cell isolation from human blood or tissues, culturing of primary cells, DNA/ RNA isolation and data analysis.
• Previous experience with multiparametric flow cytometry/ cell sorting.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Good knowledge in English, both written and spoken.

Meritorious qualifications

• Experience in working with immune cells, particularly T cells.
• Previous contribution to scientific publications.

As a person, you are self-driven and approach tasks with structure and professionalism. You see opportunities in change and can quickly adapt to shifting circumstances. You are highly motivated and driven by contributing to the success of the project. You have excellent collaboration skills and understand the importance of working together with others to achieve the project's goals.

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. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several good benefits through our collective agreement. And you get to practice freely in our modern wellness facilities, where trained staff are on site.

Location: Flemingsberg

Esophageal and Gastric Cancer Research Group

Unconventional T cells in human pathology - Andrea Ponzetta's team

CIM

Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why

Application

Welcome to apply at the latest 15 February 2026.

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.In this recruitment, you will apply with your CV without a personal letter. Instead, you will answer some questions about why you are applying for the job in the application form. 

Permanent position is initiated by a six months trial period.

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