Postdoctoral studies in linking intracellular cholinergic signaling to mitochondrial dysfunction and dysregulation of the mitochondrial apoptosis axis with neuronal vulnerability in Alzheimer’s disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (scholarship) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research? 

We are seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team studying mitochondrial function in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as well as their related disorders.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mitochondrial biology and a passion for neurodegenerative research, particularly in AD and ALS.

Division

The postdoctoral fellowship will occur in Taher Darreh Shori’s research group in collaboration with associate professor, Homira Behbahani within the division of Clinical Geriatrics, department of neurobiology, care sciences and society (NVS). The research group's workplaces are located in the Neo-building at Karolinska Institute South Campus Flemingsberg. Our research focuses on how intracellular cholinergic signaling affects mitochondrial health, aiming to uncover insights into the selective degeneration of cholinergic neurons and develop disease-modifying therapies. Key areas of interest include the interaction between acetylcholine (ACh) pathways, mitochondrial bioenergetics, cellular senescence, and apoptosis.

Duties

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team investigating how intracellular cholinergic signaling regulates mitochondrial function, mitochondrial dynamics, and the mitochondrial apoptosis axis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and related neurodegenerative disorders. Our research aims to uncover mechanisms driving cholinergic neuron vulnerability, mitochondrial dysfunction, and progressive neurodegeneration, and to translate these findings into novel therapeutic strategies.

Ideal candidates will have expertise in mitochondrial biology, cellular neuroscience, or neurodegeneration research, with strong interest in disease mechanisms across AD, ALS, and aging. Experience with mitochondrial assays, imaging techniques, or molecular biology is highly advantageous.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to dissect how intracellular cholinergic signaling modulates mitochondrial metabolism, stress responses, and the mitochondrial apoptosis axis in AD, ALS, and aging.
• Analyze data on mitochondrial respiration, ATP production, ROS generation, and indicators of mitochondrial integrity.
• Use advanced microscopy and imaging approaches to study mitochondrial dynamics, transport, and structural remodeling in vulnerable neuronal populations.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team and contribute to manuscript preparation, data interpretation, and grant development.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences and engage with the scientific community working on AD, ALS, and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.

 

Entry requirements

The candidate we are looking for is a dedicated and highly motivated researcher with strong expertise in cellular and mitochondrial biology. Applicants should preferably hold a PhD in Cellular Biology, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, or a related field, with demonstrated experience in:

• Mitochondrial bioenergetics, dynamics, and intracellular signaling, including studies of mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial‑driven apoptosis, and their roles in disease progression, particularly in neurodegenerative disorders or aging.
• 2D and 3D cell culture systems, with proven ability to design and conduct experiments in cellular models relevant to mitochondrial dysfunction or neurodegenerative diseases.
• Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, with proficiency in cellular and molecular characterization methods.
• Pharmacological studies, especially those examining mitochondrial function, stress responses, or neurodegenerative mechanisms.
• Data analysis and statistical interpretation, including processing complex biological datasets and applying appropriate analytical methods.

In addition, candidates must have excellent communication skills and be fluent in written and spoken English, with the ability to produce clear scientific texts and present research findings effectively. 

You are a highly motivated team-player with positive proactive attitudes towards cooperating with national and international collaborators.

Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who pursue their merit in Sweden. A foreign researcher is a person living in another country who comes to Sweden with the intention of only staying in Sweden for all or part of their postdoctoral education at KI. Persons who are resident in Sweden and/or have carried out all or part of their academic education at KI or some other educational institution in Sweden cannot be considered for scholarships. 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.

This postdoctoral scholarship is for one year initially with the high possibility of extension for a further year, considering all the criteria are fulfilled.

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: Flemingsberg

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.

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