Postdoctoral Position in Diabetes Complications Research (scholarship) Full-time

Postdoctoral Position in Diabetes Complications Research (Scholarship)

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

Are you passionate about uncovering the mechanisms behind chronic complications of diabetes and translating discoveries into new therapeutic strategies? Join our research group at Karolinska Institutet, where we combine cutting-edge molecular biology, advanced animal models, and clinical research to tackle one of the world's most pressing health challenges.

Division

Diabetes affects nearly 10% of the global population, and its chronic complications, such as cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, and impaired wound healing, remain major barriers to effective treatment.

Our laboratory investigates how diabetes alters fundamental cellular pathways, including hypoxia and Notch signaling, and how these changes contribute to disease progression. By integrating work on clinical samples with cellular and animal models, including genetically modified mice, we aim to bridge basic science and translational medicine for the prevention and treatment of diabetes complications.

Duties

As a postdoctoral researcher in our group, you will:

• Design and conduct innovative studies in cellular and animal models of diabetes.

• Explore molecular mechanisms regulating hypoxia, Notch, and related signaling pathways.

• Analyze and interpret clinical and experimental datasets.

• Collaborate closely with international researchers and multidisciplinary teams.

• Present your findings at leading conferences and publish in high-impact journals.

• Contribute to mentoring of graduate students and junior colleagues.

Entry Requirements

• A PhD degree in molecular medicine, biomedical sciences, physiology, or a related discipline.

• Strong track record in experimental biomedical research, evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals.

• Excellent skills in data analysis, interpretation, and scientific writing.

• Strong communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

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.

Familiarity with advanced molecular and cellular tools (e.g., CRISPR, single-cell omics, RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, confocal imaging) is advantageous.

• Hands-on expertise with animal experimentation, particularly genetically modified mice, is a strong merit.

• High level of motivation, creativity, and problem-solving capacity.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

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.

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

Type of Scholarship

Funding for the position is tax free and is available for an initial period of twelve months.

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

Reference number: STÖD 2-1043/2026

Contact: Sergiu-Bogdan Catrina, sergiu.catrina@ki.se

Union representative: Virpi Töhönen, SACO, virpi.tohonen@ki.se

Union representative: Elisabeth Noren-Krog ST-OFR, elisabeth.noren-krog@ki.se

Union representative: Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO, taher.darreh-shori@ki.se

Published: 10.Mar.2026

Last application date: 24.Mar.2026