Postdoctoral Researcher in Chromatin Biology and Transcriptional Regulation(scholarship) Full-time

Postdoctoral Researcher in Chromatin Biology and Transcriptional Regulation

Come and join us at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm. In the research group led by Laura Baranello, we are particularly interested in the molecular mechanisms defining the crosstalk between transcription, DNA topology and chromatin folding, with the aim to design improved strategies for anti-cancer treatment.

The Baranello Lab – Drawing from our expertise in the fields of topoisomerase and cancer biology, we aim to answer fundamental questions about how transcription, replication and DNA topology are functionally coordinated in human cells. We use state-of-the-art approaches to assess transcriptomic, epigenomic and replisomic profiles, as well as molecular biology, advanced microscopy and drug screens to understand how topoisomerase regulation affects fundamental nuclear processes. The overall aim is to reveal novel cancer therapy targets and improved strategies for personalized treatment.

Recently we have identified a protein complex called “topoisome” in which the oncoprotein MYC recruits and increases the catalytic activities of both Topoisomerase 1 and 2 to promote high rates of transcription. The successful candidate will play a leading role in a full-time research project funded by the European Research Council, focused to address the functional role of the topoisome during transcription. Specifically we want to study the coordination of the topoisome and the transcriptional machinery. The outcome of this work is predicted to inspire a new strategy to target MYC in cancer, which will be tested in MYC-driven cancer models. This multidisciplinary project involves master biochemistry, master molecular biology, proteomics/genomics, and computational analysis. The postdoc will plan and execute experiments, analyze data, interpret, and present the results, supervise students as well as write scientific articles, initially under partial supervision but with greater independence going forward.

We are a young and dynamic research team with a well-established collaborative network. Our lab is located at Biomedicum, a top modern research building with a large repertoire of researchers and access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities. Our group is also associated to the laboratory of Dr. Levens at the National Institutes of Health (US) and Dr. Shiraige at Tokyo University (JP). The candidate will greatly benefit from this interdisciplinary environment, immersion in a highly stimulating and supportive research community, unique infrastructure, a buzzing capital, and scenic nature at your doorstep.

We are looking for a highly motivated, driven, enthusiastic person interested in our area of research, and ready to explore new avenues in science. The candidate should have a strong collaborative approach to research, be a team player as capable of contribute independently and contribute to a good social environment in the laboratory. The candidate must have a PhD in medical sciences, biochemistry, molecular biology or equivalent.

• Strong expertise in biochemistry
• Strong expertise in molecular biology
• Expertise in proteomics and/or genomics
• Expertise in transcription regulation and DNA topology
• Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g., R/Bioconductor, Python, UNIX)
• Interest in solving intricate scientific questions and willingness to help PhD/master students
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (in English written and verbal). Emphasis will be also placed on personal suitability, fitting well into the current research group

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.

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.

Our lab is eager to provide the fellow with an opportunity to develop and/or apply state-of-the-art methodologies to solve timely biological key questions. Necessary training on Mass Spectrometry, sequencing technologies and computational analysis will be given to the fellow.

Location: Stockholm, KI Campus Solna

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.

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 (max 3 pages)
• A complete list of publications
• A letter describing previous accomplishments, technical expertise and why you want to work with us (no more than one-page, generic letters not accepted)
• Names and contact details of two scientists for reference letters

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

First day of employment – Enligt överenskommelse

Salary – Scholarship

Reference number – STÖD 2-1150/2026

Contact – Laura Baranello, laura.baranello@ki.se

Union representative – Bodil Moberg, OFR, bodil.moberg@ki.seBjörn Andersson, SACO, bjorn.andersson@ki.seElisabeth Valenzuela, SEKO, elisabeth.valenzuela@ki.se

Published – 19.Mar.2026

Last application date – 01.Jun.2026