Research Engineer Full-time

Research Engineer

Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University has a broad research profile with strong research groups focusing on cancer, genetic and autoimmune diseases. A fundamental idea at the department is to stimulate translational research and thereby promote closer interactions between medical research and health care. Research is presently organized in six research programs: Cancer Precision Medicine, Cancer Immunotherapy, Genomics and Neurobiology, Molecular Tools and Functional Genomics, Neuro-Oncology and Neurodegeneration and Vascular Biology. Departmental activities are also integrated with the units for Oncology, Clinical Genetics, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Pathology, and Hospital Physics at Uppsala University Hospital. The department has teaching assignments in several education programs, including Master Programs, at the Faculty of Medicine. The department has a yearly turnover of around SEK 550 million, out of which about two thirds derive from external funding. IGP has approximately 400 employees, out of which 100 are PhD-students, and there are in total more than 850 affiliated staff members.

In multicellular organisms, tissues consist of many cells with diverse states and functions that work together through interactions with their microenvironment to maintain homeostasis. Understanding how different cell types are spatially organized in tissues—under both normal and diseased conditions—is crucial for biomedical research and therapy development. Cell type, function, and state are commonly defined by gene and protein expression. Profiling their spatial distribution—known as spatial omics—therefore provides high-resolution insight into tissue architecture and cellular states. Although many spatial omics technologies, particularly for transcriptomics, have emerged in recent years, their broader adoption is limited by challenges such as low sensitivity and resolution, high costs, limited usability, and the need for complex, expensive instrumentation.

The overall aim of this project is to develop a novel spatial omics approach for profiling the spatial signatures of RNA and other molecular modalities within tissue sections. The technology is designed to enable highly sensitive spatial omics profiling at single-cell resolution, with a sequencing-based readout. The approach is built on a simple workflow using off-the-shelf reagents, making it broadly accessible to research laboratories and ultimately facilitating the translation of scientific advances into healthcare applications.

The project development is divided into two main components: 1. Wet lab development, focusing on the design, development, and optimization of the underlying chemistry of the technology. 2. Computational analysis, involving the development of analytical pipelines and code to process sequencing data and reconstruct spatial maps of gene expression and other omics features within tissue sections.

Although the technology is still at an early stage, we have successfully validated its core chemistry, establishing proof-of-concept feasibility of the design. Based on these results, we have recently been awarded the Uppsala University Innovation Award 2023 and the Vinnova “Framväxande Tekniklösningar” Step 1 (2023) grant. In addition, we have recently received the ERC Proof of Concept Grant 2026, which will provide further financial support to accelerate the development, validation, and potential commercialization of the technology. With this funding, we are now seeking to recruit a talented Research Engineer for a fixed-term position (one year), with the possibility of extension upon mutual agreement and upon securing additional funding. Over the coming year, our goal is to continue developing and optimizing the chemistry of the approach using techniques such as PCR, qPCR, fluorescence microscopy, in situ cDNA synthesis, and in situ PCR.

While the project leader will be readily available for discussions and brainstorming, the selected candidate is expected to work independently, plan and execute day-to-day experimental activities, analyze results, and contribute intellectually to the scientific direction and development of the project.

The candidate should hold a Master's degree in molecular biology or a related discipline. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in method and technology development related to next-generation sequencing and a solid understanding of transcriptomics. The candidate should be capable of troubleshooting experimental challenges, working independently, taking initiative, and proactively driving project progress.

Preferred experience includes work with RNA, single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, cell culture, tissue sections, tissue and cell fixation and permeabilization, in situ PCR and in situ cDNA synthesis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), fluorescence microscopy, qPCR, and sequencing library preparation. The ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment is essential.

The employment is a temporary position, 12 months. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Ammar Zaghlool, ammar.zaghlool@igp.uu.se

Please submit your application by 17 April 2026, UFV-PA 2026/530