Postdoctoral Researcher in chromosome organization and function.

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Join the lab of Camilla Björkegren at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, to study molecular mechanisms that protect against disease-related chromosomal aberrations.

The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) is a department with strong focus on basic science. CMB conducts research and education in cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, stem cell biology, cancer, and infection biology. CMB is found in Biomedicum, an interdisciplinary research center designed to concentrate much of the experimental research conducted at Karolinska Institutet Campus Solna.

Description of the research group

The Björkegren lab aims to reveal fundamental molecular mechanisms that are essential for chromosome organization, dynamics, and function. The group focuses their research on the family of SMC protein complexes that controls most chromosomal processes, including chromosome 3D organization, repair and segregation. Combining investigations of in vivo models with biochemical analysis, the Björkegren team unravels the function of the Smc5/6 complex, required for genome stability, viral restriction, and organism development. Currently, the group investigates a recently discovered connection between SMC complexes, chromosome 3D organization, and transcription-induced changes in the DNA helix, so called DNA supercoiling.

Recent publications from Björkegren team are available here.

Your mission

You will be involved in our analysis of chromosome organization and function, focusing on SMC complexes and their connection to DNA supercoiling. Depending on your preference and former expertise, you will perform in vivo investigations in human cells or focus on biochemical and structural analyses of relevant protein and protein complexes. Initially, the in vivo investigations include genome-wide analysis of DNA-protein interactions and chromosome organization in normal and genetically modified cell lines. The biochemical line of investigations includes protein purification, in vitro analysis of protein function, and structural analysis. With increasing experience, you are expected to develop and pursue new and relevant lines of investigations. You will also actively participate in the dissemination of obtained research results at seminars, conferences and in the form of research papers.

The successful candidate will be part of an international, interactive, and multidisciplinary team with expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and bioinformatics. He/she will also be involved in collaborations with other national and international research teams.

Your profile

We are seeking 1-2 ambitious and qualified scientists with relevant scientific backgrounds. Experience from the chromosome organization and stability field, genomics, bioinformatics, biochemistry, or protein structure analysis is considered an advantage.

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, 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.

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: Stockholm

Application

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

• PhD certificate
• A complete resumé, including date of the thesis defense, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
• A complete list of publications
• Contact details to two persons of reference
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)
• A letter of motivation (no more than one page)

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!

Type of employment: Temporary position
Contract type: Full time
First day of employment: According to agreement
Salary: Monthly salary
Number of positions: 1
Full-time equivalent: 100%
City: Stockholm
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: STÖD 2-1126/2026

Contact:
1. Prof. Camilla Björkegren, camilla.bjorkegren@ki.se

Union representative:
1. Bodil Moberg, OFR, bodil.moberg@ki.se
2. Björn Andersson, SACO, bjorn.andersson@ki.se
3. Elisabeth Valenzuela, SEKO, elisabeth.valenzuela@ki.se

Published: 2026-03-18
Last application date: 2026-04-30