Assistant Professor in Experimental and Translational Medicine

Join a global community of excellence

Are you a bold, creative researcher ready to shape the future of medical science? Karolinska Institutet (KI), one of the world’s foremost medical universities, is launching a major recruitment initiative in 2025. KI is seeking 20 outstanding early- career researchers to join us as Assistant Professors in a wide range of subject areas.

At KI, we foster a vibrant, international research environment where curiosity, innovation, and excellence thrive. We are looking for inspiring, driven, and visionary scientists with exceptional research achievements and the potential to become future leaders in their fields.   

The Department of Laboratory Medicine offers a uniquely integrated research setting, bridging advanced molecular science with direct clinical applications. With seven specialized divisions closely linked to the Karolinska University hospital, our department spans the full spectrum from mechanistic discovery to academic clinical trials. This deeply translational environment enables meaningful collaboration between basic scientists and clinicians, accelerating the path from research insight to patient benefit. 

What do we offer?

If you meet our requirements and propose a groundbreaking research project, we are prepared to employ you as an Assistant Professor for six years and support you with a generous funding package of SEK 12 million to cover your salary and other research costs. KI offers the opportunity to be promoted from a time-limited (six-year) position as Assistant Professor to permanent employment as Senior Lecturer. You can read more about it here.

At KI, you’ll be part of an interdisciplinary research community. Our researchers work across a wide range of fields and methodologies within medicine and health, creating rich opportunities for knowledge exchange and cross-disciplinary collaboration. You’ll also benefit from close connections with healthcare providers, ensuring your research remains closely aligned with real-world clinical practice.

As a state university, KI offers a comprehensive benefits package governed by collective agreements. These include annual salary reviews, supplementary insurance, and opportunities to participate in institutional decision-making.

We also understand that a successful research career is supported by a strong personal foundation. That’s why we are committed to supporting not only our researchers but also their partners and families, recognising the vital role they play in your life and well-being.

Learn more about what KI and Sweden can offer, and the different calls!

Location: Flemingsberg

Description of the subject area 

The subject area of the position is Molecular Translational Medicine, with a focus on research that bridges molecular-level understanding of human biology and disease with clinical application. We welcome outstanding scientists whose work contributes to the development of novel mechanistic insights, diagnostics or therapeutics, with potential for patient benefit. The research may span diverse biomedical fields, including but not limited to immunology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, cell and gene therapy (ATMP), and clinical chemistry. The emphasis is on high-quality research with clear molecular foundations and translational relevance. Candidates may apply emerging technologies such as omics, imaging, AI-based diagnostics, or advanced model systems.

The position is open to researchers working on both common and rare diseases, and those addressing unmet clinical needs are particularly encouraged. The successful applicant will be expected to develop an internationally competitive and externally funded research program. The position includes integration into one of the department's seven divisions, depending on the candidate’s expertise and research focus. Interdisciplinary collaboration, especially within the hospital-linked environment, is strongly encouraged and supported.

Your mission 

This Assistant Professor position offers a unique opportunity to build a strong academic profile—primarily by developing your independence as a researcher, while also gaining valuable teaching and pedagogical experience.

As an Assistant Professor at The Department of Laboratory Medicine you will have the opportunity to also be a research group leader. You will have the opportunity and shape and grow an independent research program within a supportive, collegial, and multidisciplinary ecosystem. We offer access to cutting-edge infrastructure, strong departmental support, and a vibrant international community committed to scientific excellence and innovation in health. We are committed to long-term recruitment strategies focused on retaining and developing our employees, with ample opportunities to engage in teaching programs and departmental duties, and to build a career path forward.

As a research group leader your mission is to establish and lead an internationally competitive research program that advances molecular understanding of human disease and contributes to improved diagnostics or therapies. You will be responsible for securing external funding, building and mentoring a research team, and fostering collaborations across disciplines and with clinical partners. The position includes opportunities for supervision of PhD students and postdoctoral scientists, as well as participation in undergraduate and graduate education. You are expected to contribute to the department’s strategic development and actively engage in its dynamic, hospital-linked research environment. A key part of your mission is to drive scientific innovation with real-world impact through collaboration, curiosity, and academic leadership.

Eligibility requirements 

To be eligible for an appointment as Assistant Professor, you must demonstrate good scientific skills according to KI’s eligibility criteria as follows:

• A PhD (or equivalent degree) in a relevant subject area
• At least two peer-reviewed original scientific publications as first or last author, in addition to the doctoral thesis

Priority is given to those who were awarded a doctoral degree or attained equivalent research competence no more than seven years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position as Assistant Professor.

Those who have been awarded a doctoral degree or attained equivalent research competence earlier will also be considered if there are special circumstances for absence from research (deductible time), such as: parental leave, long-term illness, positions of trust in trade union organizations or mandatory service in total defence.

The circumstances, dates and extent must be clearly specified in the application and verified by relevant documentation.

For this call, exceptions are made from all pedagogical requirements specified in the instructions regarding the Appointment procedure for teachers at KI. However, you must complete three weeks of higher education pedagogical courses in accordance with the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions’ recommendations, no later than two years after starting your employment as an Assistant Professor (unless you can certify that you have completed equivalent training before starting the position).

Candidates will be evaluated based on both scientific and pedagogical qualifications, with greater emphasis placed on scientific excellence. The full set of assessment criteria is outlined in the  instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at KI.

Particularly meritorious is:

• the scientific quality, originality, and feasibility of your research plan within the relevant subject area
• documented experience in research environments outside KI, with special consideration given to international research experience

These criteria reflect our commitment to fostering globally competitive researchers who contribute to high-impact science and academic excellence.

It is further meritorious that you have demonstrated 

• obtain peer-reviewed research funding as main applicant
• publish peer-reviewed original papers as first or last author in high-ranked journals 

The criteria listed will form part of the overall assessment of the applicant. All criteria will be assessed but they should not individually be seen as requirements.

Offers will be extended to the best candidate based on an overall assessment of the applicant’s expertise and merits in relation to the subject area.

Application guidelines

All applicants are expected to follow the application instructions carefully. Failure to comply with the guidelines or misrepresentation of qualifications may negatively impact on the evaluation of your application.

The application should consist of the following documents, written in English:

• A personal letter (maximum 1 page)
• Application form, including your research project (the form can be found here)
• Up to ten published papers and optionally one manuscript, in PDF format
• PhD certificate
• If you have a PhD that is older than seven years and want to claim deductible time, you must attach a certificate of deductible time in Swedish or English.

Welcome to apply no later than September 2nd, 2025 (time 23.59 CEST).

For more information about the calls, conditions regarding funding and employment, see here.

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