Do you want to contribute to top-quality medical research?

The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching in immunology, infection biology, cell biology, and cancer.

MTC has about 40 research groups and our keywords are multidisciplinary, bridging, national, and international collaborations.

We are looking for a research assistant

who, together with Professor Birgitta Henriques Normark, her research group, and partners, will work on projects in bacteriology and pneumococcal and streptococcal infections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies infectious diseases as one of the greatest global threats. Pneumococci are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pneumococci are the most common cause of common respiratory infections such as ear and sinus infections, but also a common cause of more serious infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. However, despite the fact that these bacteria can cause severe disease, they are also commonly found in the noses of healthy children. Group A streptococci cause milder respiratory infections such as tonsillitis and skin infections but also cause more serious infections such as sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis, and toxic shock syndrome. There is also a risk of complications in the aftermath of the infection such as rheumatic heart disease. The research group studies host-microbe interactions with a focus on pneumococcal and streptococcal infections.

Your role

This position includes bioinformatics analysis of genomes, metagenomes, metatranscriptomes, and/or transcriptomes from large-scale sequencing of clinical samples to study microbial response and host response, as well as studies of bacterial genomes such as for pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci, and Klebsiella as well as viral genomes. Interaction studies using AlphaFold will also be conducted. Virulence mechanisms and virulence factors and their interactions with the host and host response will be studied, and various in vitro and in vivo systems will be used. This is a collaborative project with other bioinformaticians and experimental researchers in the research group.

Who are you?

Requirements

• You have a background in bioinformatics, microbiology, public health surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, data-driven analysis of bacterial and viral infections, and preferably genomic surveillance of bacterial and viral pathogens.
• Previous experience in handling whole-genome sequencing data and metagenomics.
• Knowledge of Python, Linux, R, and AlphaFold2.
• A master's degree in bioinformatics.
• Social skills, creativity, and language skills, particularly in English, are an advantage.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team are essential. Social skills and ease of interaction with other researchers are an advantage since this position will require strong interactions with other researchers in the research group.
• Documented experience in relevant research areas for the position as mentioned above is prioritized.

Meritorious

• Strong quantitative, analytical, and presentation skills are needed.
• You are methodical and organized in your work and keep a precise lab journal.
• Experience with international collaborations, project management, and student supervision is also important.

What do we offer?

A creative, international, and inspiring environment filled with expertise and curiosity. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Our vision is to drive the development of knowledge about life and promote better health for all. Here, we conduct successful medical research and have the largest range of medical education in Sweden. As a university, Karolinska Institutet is a government agency. This means you will receive good benefits through our collective agreement. Employees at KI are also offered the opportunity for a flexible working approach. This means that if the department you work in allows it, you can work part of your time remotely. You also have free access to our modern wellness facilities where trained staff are available.

Location: Solna

https://ki.se/om-ki/tio-skal-att-valja-karolinska-institutet (https://ki.se/om-ki/tio-skal-att-valja-karolinska-institutet)

Application

Warm welcome with your application by 2026-03-03

Applications should be made via the recruitment system Varbi. In this recruitment, you apply with your CV without a cover letter. In the application form, you will instead be asked to answer some questions about why you are applying for the job.

Do you want to make a difference – and contribute to better health for all? Apply for a job with us.