Postdoctoral Researcher in stem cells, nanotechnology and mechanotransduction

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The research groups of Staffan Strömblad at the Department of Medicine-Huddinge and of Ana Teixeira at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, are seeking a talented and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our teams for a collaborative project. 

The Strömblad lab investigates the nature of cell-matrix interactions and how these interactions influence key cellular functions, including cell proliferation and migration (e.g. Hu et al., Science Advances, 2022; Costa et al., Nature Communications, 2019; Lock et al., Nature Cell Biology, 2018). 

The Teixeira lab investigates the roles of spatial organization in biological processes and develops DNA nanotechnology-based tools to map and manipulate membrane protein nanodomains (e.g. Spratt, Dias et al., Nature Nanotechnology, 2024; Ambrosetti et al., Nature Nanotechnology, 2021; Shaw, Lundin et al., Nature Methods, 2014).

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work at the interface of nanotechnology and stem cell biology in a creative and collaborative research environment. The position is full-time for two years with the possibility of extension. 

Your mission

The candidate will work on a project that aims to unravel the role of mechanical forces in maintaining and differentiating human embryonic stem cells. Specifically, the candidate will investigate how different types of cell-matrix adhesion complexes control stem cell pluripotency and differentiation. The project will involve the development of synthetic DNA nanostructures that measure and selectively perturb mechanical forces at different integrin adhesion complexes. These will be used to dissect the distinct roles of focal and reticular adhesions in regulating stem cell fate and adhesion-mediated signaling pathways.

Your profile

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor, a PhD or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a Swedish PhD is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. Completion of your doctoral degree within the last three years is considered an advantage. If there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.

Candidates with a background in stem cell biology, biophysics, nanotechnology and related fields are encouraged to apply.

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. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical 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. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Solna and Femingsberg campuses

Ana Teixeira's research group

Staffan Strömblad's research group

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• PhD certificate
• A complete resumé, 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)

Welcome to apply!

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

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all!

1. Ana Teixeira, [email protected]
2. Staffan Strömblad, [email protected]

1. Helin Norberg, SACO , [email protected]
2. Bodil Moberg, ST, [email protected]
3. Elizabeth Valenzuela, SEKO, [email protected]