Postdoctoral studies in Epithelial Cell Biology: Linking Polarity to Fate (scholarship) Full-time

Postdoctoral Studies in Epithelial Cell Biology: Linking Polarity to Fate (Scholarship)

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The postdoctoral project will be conducted in Maria Genander's research group. More information about the Genander lab can be found here: ki.se/en/cmb/maria-genanders-group.

Division

The Genander lab investigates the development and maintenance of epithelial tissues, with a particular focus on how alterations in stem and progenitor cell behavior during homeostasis contribute to disease.

Duties

The proposed project aims to elucidate the spatiotemporal mechanisms governing basal–apical polarity in epithelial cells and to determine how the establishment and regulation of polarity are coupled to cell fate specification.

The project will rely on ex vivo live cell imaging of esophageal epithelial progenitor cells coupled with genetic manipulation and fate mapping. In addition, we will use spatial proteomics to understand how and when polarity is established. We seek a curious, highly motivated, and creative postdoc with a strong background in cell biology. The ideal candidate should have experience working with epithelial stem cells and live cell imaging. Experience with molecular biology, genetic perturbation strategies and proteomics is a strength. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (in English written and verbal) is required. Emphasis will also be placed on personal suitability, fitting well into the current research group.

Entry Requirements

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.

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: Solna

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.

First day of employment – Upon agreement

Salary – Scholarship

Reference number – STÖD 2-1678/2026

Contact – Maria Genander, Principal Researcher, maria.genander@ki.se

Union representative – Elizabeth Valenzuela, SEKO, 08-52486363, elizabeth.valenzuela@ki.se

Published – 27.Apr.2026

Last application date – 19.May.2026