Research Specialist in Deep Tissue Imaging

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The research group within advanced optical imaging works with technical development and implementation of new types of adaptive super-resolution microscopes. This includes design of new illumination methods through the crafting of optical systems to create pulse sequences and illumination patterns that together with specific labelling methods deliver images with resolution beyond what can be achieved with traditional imaging methods. The work will be done together with the PhD students and post-docs of the group and will as such involve collaborative work with both more and less experienced colleagues.

Description of the subject area

The project will be performed collaboratively between Erdinc Sezgin Lab (Department of Women’s and Children’s Health) and Ilaria Testa Lab (KTH Applied Physics). The research specialist will be located at SciLifeLab and Karolinska Institutet.

SciLifeLab and KI are excellent places to carry out biomedical research. Our collaborative network is in the intersection of stem cell biology using organoid models, neurobiology, membrane biology and biophysics, aiming to reveal the molecular codes of cellular physiology and diseases. The candidate will greatly benefit from this interdisciplinary environment, immersion in a highly stimulating and supportive research community, collaborative network, and unique infrastructure.

This position is for 12 months full-time employment.

Application Deadline: 30th January 2026

Start Date: Spring 2026

Your mission

The research specialist will further develop RESOLFT super resolution microscopy technique recently published by our laboratory (Boden et al, Nature Methods, 2024) by adding adaptive optics aspect. The project involves:

• Developing super resolution microscopy system
• Handling Adaptive Optical elements and Theory
• Live cell imaging
• Developing microscopy software for hardware control and image analysis

Eligibility requirements

For employment as Research 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 employment as a Research Specialist, in addition to holding a Degree of Doctor, PhD, or having a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a Swedish doctoral degree, the applicant must have demonstrated research expertise as well as have documented postdoctoral research experience.

Basic requirements:

• Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in life sciences, natural sciences or engineering
• PhD and postdoc in the fields of: adaptive super-resolution microscopy
• Strong interest in light microscopy and imaging of living cells
• Strong expertise in imaging technology
• Strong competence in image analysis
• Independent working ability, team spirit and willingness to help doctoral/master's students
• Knowledge of scientific programming (e.g. Python)

Assessment criteria

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown

The candidate should have hands-on experience in both adaptive optics and super resolution microscopy, successfully built and operated custom built microscopes.

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?

The labs are eager to provide the research specialist with an opportunity to develop and/or apply state-of-the-art methodologies to solve timely biological key questions. Necessary training on advanced bioimaging technologies will be given to the research specialist. We are eager to give candidates opportunity to become fully independent researchers in interdisciplinary science within years.

Karolinska Institute and SciLifeLab  offer a creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet 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.

SciLifeLab is an institution for the advancement of molecular biosciences in Sweden. It leverages the unique strengths of individual researchers across Sweden into a focused resource for the life science community. SciLifeLab provides access for thousands of researchers to the cutting-edge instrumentation and deep scientific expertise necessary to be internationally competitive in bioscience research. The facilities and expertise at SciLifeLab create a unique environment for carrying out health and environmental research at the highest level.

The research specialist will be based at SciLifeLab Solna where the working atmosphere is international with English as the working language.

Location: SciLifeLab, KI, Solna

Visit Testa Lab

Visit Sezgin Lab

Visit SciLifeLab

Visit SciLifeLab Facilities

Visit KBH

Application

We prefer that your application is written in English. An application must contain the following documents:  

1. 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
2. A letter describing why you want to work with us and how you can contribute to the existing knowledge (no more than one-page, generic letters not accepted)
3. A complete list of publications
4. Names and contact details of three scientists for reference letters

Welcome to apply at the latest 30th January 2026

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

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