Postdoctoral Researcher in molecular virology Full-time NEW

Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular Virology

The Division of Infectious Diseases performs research and education in close collaboration with the Karolinska University Hospital. The research groups and teams address a wide range of infectious diseases using clinical, epidemiological and experimental approaches.

Research team Leo Hanke is interested in emerging and re-emerging viruses. We combine functional analysis and structural approaches to study viruses and the immune responses against them. Our work aims to understand fundamental aspects of infection and has implications for vaccine design and the rational development of antivirals.

Your Mission

The postdoctoral researcher will be involved in our ongoing efforts to understand early events during RNA virus infection, and host–virus interactions in physiologically relevant model systems. The work combines molecular virology with advanced cell‑based infection models, including established cell lines, primary cells and 3D culture systems such as organoids, and involves experimental work in a BSL‑3 laboratory environment.

A central focus of the project is the development and application of nanobodies to control, block, monitor and manipulate viral and host proteins. These tools provide a unique opportunity to probe underlying molecular mechanisms of infection and to dissect virus–host interactions with high specificity. The project requires a creative and rigorous approach to integrating nanobodies into established assays, adapting them for use in infection models, and developing new experimental strategies to extract biological information.

The overall aim is to generate mechanistic insight into RNA virus biology that can be translated into improved strategies for antiviral intervention, treatment and prevention, while contributing to the expanding range of biomedical applications for nanobody‑based technologies.

Your Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in molecular virology and viral pathogenesis.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in virology, molecular biology, or a closely related life science discipline, with documented RNA virus research experience. The ideal candidate has hands-on expertise in cell-based infection models, including work with established cell lines, primary cells and advanced 3D culture systems such as organoids. Proven experience in viral propagation, titration, and infection assays is essential, as is practical experience working in a BSL‑3 laboratory environment.

The ideal candidate has a solid methodological background in molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid extraction, RT‑PCR and quantitative PCR, molecular cloning, primer design and sequence analysis. Experience with data analysis, including transcriptomic or RNA‑seq datasets, and the ability to integrate computational analyses with experimental results are considered strong merits.

A demonstrated track record of scientific productivity is required, including authorship of peer‑reviewed publications. The ideal candidate is expected to contribute actively to manuscript preparation, data interpretation and presentation of results at scientific meetings. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment is essential.

Excellent written and spoken English is required. Strong organizational skills, scientific curiosity, and the ability to drive projects forward are highly valued.

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, a PhD or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a Swedish PhD is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. Completion of your doctoral degree within the last three years is considered an advantage. If there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.

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. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical 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. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location

The position is located within the Department of Medicine, Solna. The department consists of ten divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within team Leo Hanke based at BioClinicum on the Karolinska University Hospital site in Solna.

Application

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

• PhD certificate
• A complete resumé, 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 through the Varbi recruitment system.