Postdoctoral studies in T helper cells Biology in Airway Diseases-Asthma (scholarship) Full-time

Postdoctoral Studies in T Helper Cells Biology in Airway Diseases-Asthma (Scholarship)

This role investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying T helper cell immunopathology in airway diseases, particularly asthma. Specifically, the laboratory focuses on examining the role of T regulatory cells in severe asthma and its comorbidities, including bronchiectasis and obesity. The long-term goal is to determine whether T regulatory cells can serve as targets for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of asthma and related pulmonary comorbidities.

The laboratories of the Division of Lung and Airway Research (LAR) at the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet are located in the Center for Molecular Medicine at Karolinska University Hospital in Solna. Here, LAR offers a highly collaborative research environment that integrates basic and translational research with clinical science on airway diseases, in close interaction with the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy at Karolinska University Hospital. Researchers have access to advanced molecular and cell biology infrastructure through core facilities at CMM and Karolinska Institutet (KI), as well as to samples from clinical cohorts of well-characterised patients.

The successful applicant will be an important member of the Bossios research group in LAR. The position is intended for a young career researcher with a strong track record, including high-quality publications and strong recommendations from former academic supervisors. Once settled in the research group, the successful applicant will be responsible for a project investigating the role of T regulatory cells relative to other T helper cells, such as Th17, in severe asthma with or without bronchiectasis and in obesity-related asthma. You will work with a small and interactive team. The position requires working with human blood, ex vivo approaches using human primary cells, and cell lines. Animal models may also be involved.

The work requires scientific and methodological knowledge, as well as experience with cell culture and flow cytometry. A deep understanding of both methods is essential. It also involves standard immunostaining methods; advanced confocal methods are a merit. Familiarity with protein analysis, including Western blot and ELISA, as well as more advanced methods such as LUMINEX and PEA. The work includes performing RNA isolation, PCR, and qPCR, or NGS-based RNA sequencing. Upcoming research may also require analyses of single-cell RNA and spatial immunomorphology.

To qualify for the position, the applicant must be able to operate at the highest professional level and be proficient in English. In addition to holding a PhD in Biology or a related life science, a strong background in cellular and molecular biology, airway biology and physiology is highly valued. Extensive experience in human immunology is a must, and research experience in human lymphocyte biology and in the respiratory area will be considered strong merits. Experience with animal models will also be a merit. The applicant must demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot to achieve optimal experimental conditions, personal commitment, flexibility, a strong work ethic, dependability, and team-player skills for the benefit of the entire group. We place great importance on personal suitability. Interest in the practical supervision of PhD and master's students is a merit. After an overall assessment of the applicants' expertise and merits in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine who has the greatest potential to contribute to the development of the Bossios research group in the Division of Lung and Airway Research.

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: Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden

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
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)
• Contact information of at least two references

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

Reference number – STÖD 2-2429/2026

Contact – Apostolos Bossios

Union representatives – Bodil Moberg, OFR/ST, st@ki.se Anda Gliga, SACO, anda.gliga@ki.se Anne Boström, SEKO, anne.bostrom@ki.se

Published – 10.Jun.2026

Last application date – 01.Jul.2026