Postdoctoral studies in functional plasticity of Tissue Resident Memory T cells TRM (scholarship)

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research? 

The Department of Medicine, Solna, is one of the largest departments at Karolinska Institutet. The department consists of several units that are separated into different research groups. The core activities of the department are research, doctoral education and undergraduate education for medical and biomedical students. The research has three main profiles: allergy, cardiovascular medicine and inflammatory diseases

Duties

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious postdoctoral researcher to explore the functional plasticity of TRM cells in human skin and/or preclinical models. The position will include the following:

• Designing and performing experiments to investigate TRM heterogeneity, differentiation, and functional states in inflammatory skin diseases.
• Applying advanced immunological and molecular techniques, such as multiparameter flow cytometry, cell sorting, in vitro differentiation assays, spatial transcriptomics, and in vivo imaging (e.g., two-photon microscopy). Exact experimental platforms will be decided depending on the expertise and interest of the applicant and the needs in the project.
• Work with human skin explants and/or humanized mouse models of skin inflammation.
• Collaborating with internal and external partners to analyze human tissue samples and/or animal models.
• Actively participating in research discussions, contributing to a dynamic and collaborative research environment, and mentoring junior lab members.
• Preparing scientific presentations, contributing to grant applications, and leading or co-authoring manuscripts for publication.

We offer a stimulating and supportive environment for career development, with opportunities for international collaboration and academic growth.

Entry requirements

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow with the following requirements:

• A PhD in immunology, molecular biology, or a related field (degree must be completed before the start of the position).
• Strong theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in tissue and/or cellular immunology.
• Previous experience with techniques such as flow cytometry, cell isolation and culture (especially primary human cells), in vitro T cell differentiation, cell imaging, RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, or genetic manipulation (e.g., CRISPR or CAR-T).
• Experience with in vivo models and imaging techniques (e.g., two-photon microscopy) is an asset but not required.
• A high level of scientific rigor, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills in both spoken and written English, and a collaborative, problem-solving mindset.
• A strong drive to contribute to the generation and testing of scientific hypotheses, and to share research findings through presentations and publications.

A good personal fit with the team and a genuine enthusiasm for T cell biology and immunological research are essential.

Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who pursue their postdoctoral research in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.

A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.

To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

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. Here, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical 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. Students and employees have free access to our modern gym facilities with trained staff on site.

Location

This position is based at the Department of Medicine, Solna, within the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM)—a nationally leading and internationally recognized research environment focused on tissue inflammation. The role is positioned in the Eidsmo Laboratory, part of the Division of Dermatology and Venereology. The division promotes active interdisciplinary collaboration among research groups working in molecular and cellular immunology, supporting innovative approaches to both fundamental and translational research.

The Eidsmo Lab investigates the role of human resident T cells in chronic inflammatory skin conditions, with a particular focus on understanding the immunological mechanisms underlying the formation and persistence of localized disease memory in psoriasis and vitiligo. Our work aims to address this significant clinical challenge using state-of-the-art technologies, including flow cytometry of tissue-derived cells, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, and advanced molecular and imaging methods.

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process

An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete curriculum vitae, 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)

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

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