Postdoctoral studies in Gut-Driven Mechanisms of Extraintestinal Disease (scholarship) Full-time

Postdoctoral Studies in Gut-Driven Mechanisms of Extraintestinal Disease (Scholarship)

A postdoctoral position is available to study the transcriptomic landscape of intestinal tissue regeneration, with implications for intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as autoimmune conditions beyond the gastrointestinal tract, including multiple sclerosis. The project will integrate CRISPR-based functional perturbations with metabolomic profiling in immune cells and human intestinal organoids to investigate immune–epithelial crosstalk during inflammation and tissue repair, and its systemic consequences. The position is based in the laboratory of Dr. Eduardo Villablanca, a recognized leader in mucosal immunology. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research program that combines experimental models, patient-derived material, and cutting-edge technologies—including spatial and single-cell transcriptomics—to uncover how intestinal homeostasis is maintained and how its disruption contributes to both gut-centered and extra-intestinal diseases.

Division

Division of Immunology and Respiratory Medicine

Duties

We are seeking for a postdoctoral trainee with a deep understanding of the immune–metabolic regulatory mechanisms in intestinal inflammation and tissue repair and combines deep immunological expertise and advanced metabolic and epigenetic profiling skills. The candidate will working projects involving IL-17 biology, immunometabolism, CRISPR-based functional genomics, and translational inflammation research. His/Her presence will significantly strengthen our efforts to elucidate immune–metabolic mechanisms of intestinal inflammation and healing. The applicant will work in close collaboration with other PhD students, postdocs and researchers. The applicant is expected to actively participate in other lab projects and present results to general and specialized audiences. An interest in the application of machine learning approaches is also desirable.

The duties also include:

• Data QC, data management and archival storage
• Analysis of high-parameter flow cytometry, preparation of cell suspensions, and in vivo models
• CRISPR-based functional perturbations with metabolomic profiling in immune cells and human intestinal organoids
• Support the ongoing research in the group, help write papers, grants and scientific meeting presentations
• Shape, develop and maintain the current computing resources of the group.

Entry Requirements

The successful candidate has a solid background in gamma delta cell biology, immunometabolism, and epigenetic regulation statistics and computational biology, good expertise in statistical and bioinformatics software, and an ability to work in a multidisciplinary research environment. They candidate must have an extensive experience with in vivo mouse models of inflammation, including autoimmune disease and viral infection, immune cell isolation from multiple tissues, and high-parameter flow cytometry. Moreover, hands-on expertise with Seahorse-based metabolic assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and transcriptional analyses. The individual should be highly motivated and be able to work independently, while being able to communicate effectively with other members of the team.

A proven publication record in well-regarded journals is also advantageous.

Requirements: Qualified candidates should have:

• A Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in immunology or computational biology.
• Outstanding creative thinking, problem solving, motivation, persistence as well as personal initiative and communication skills
• Independent work at the laboratory as well as extensive collaboration with clinicians and other experimental groups.
• Excellent molecular and cell biology as well as microbiology skills and strong background in mucosal immunology. Experience in IL17-producing T cell biology, immunometabolism and CRISPR-based perturbation assays.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Fluency in both oral and written English is necessary

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

The position is located within the Department of Medicine, Solna. The department consists of eleven divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group lead by Associate Professor Eduardo Villablanca at the Immunology and Allergy division. Our research group investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the establishment of intestinal homeostasis and how breakdown of these mechanisms might lead to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). To tackle these questions, Eduardo's team are using single cell RNA-sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to generate a comprehensive transcriptomic landscape of the intestinal tissue during the reestablishment of intestinal homeostasis upon damage. We are closely collaborating with the clinics to translate our findings from experimental models. Dr. Villablanca serves as co-director of the single cell RNAseq core at the Center of Molecular Medicine (CMM) and leads the bioinformatics group within the mucosal immunology lab.

For more information please visit:

https://ki.se/en/meds/eduardo-villablanca-group

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

Reference number: STÖD 2-1116/2026

Contact: Eduardo Villablanca, eduardo.villablanca@ki.se

Union representative: Maria Eldh, ST-OFR, maria.eldh@ki.se; Louisa Cheung, SACO, Louisa.Cheung@ki.se; Farzad Hedayaty, SACO-s, farzad.hedayaty@ki.se

Published: 16.Mar.2026

Last application date: 15.Apr.2026