Are you interested in discovering how metabolism shapes stem cell aging?

Stockholm, Sweden

2026-05-15 (Europe/Stockholm)

Are you interested in how stem cell metabolism contributes to aging?

The failure to regenerate tissue with age is a major health issue. A contributor to this decline is the loss of stem cell function. Despite the essential role of stem cells, it is still unclear how they fail to maintain their functions during aging and disease.

This Novo Nordisk-funded project focuses on the observation that people live longer than ever, but health declines significantly during the later years. Current treatments target age-related conditions and diseases individually, despite their shared root in cellular aging. This leads to inefficient treatments and high healthcare costs. We will study how rejuvenating the blood system affects systemic metabolic functions in the body during aging and aim to metabolically restore cellular functions to extend healthspan.

Your mission

We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious individual from universities around the world to join the research team of Assistant Professor Dr. Jette Lengefeld as a Postdoctoral Researcher in metabolism, aging and stem cell biology.

Selected recent publications:

Lengefeld J, Cheng CW, Maretich P, Blair M, Hagen H, McReynolds MR, Sullivan E, Mayors K, Roberts C, Steiner J, Kang JH, Miettinen TP, Manalis SR, Antebi A, Rabinowitz JD, Morrison S, Lees J, Boyer L, Yilmaz O, Amon A “Cell size determines stem cell potential during aging“, Science Advances(2021)*,*

Khan, N.A., Nikkanen, J., Yatsuga, S., Jackson, C., Wang, L., Pradhan, S., Kivela, R., Pessia, A., Velagapudi, V., and Suomalainen, A. (2017). mTORC1 Regulates Mitochondrial Integrated Stress Response and Mitochondrial Myopathy Progression. Cell Metabolism 26, 419-428 e415.

We are located in a modern research hub called NEO at Karolinska Institutet in Huddinge. You will be working in an international and interdisciplinary research environment, where collaborative efforts are encouraged. We always aim for an open and welcoming environment. Together with other research groups, we offer state-of-the-art core facilities providing cell sorting techniques, microscopy, sequencing, mouse facilities, and provide access to clinical samples. This position will be supported by the prestigious Swedish Research Council Starting Grant. The appointment will be for two years with a possible extension for up to two additional years.

Your profile

Your project will utilize hematopoietic stem cells from mice to identify metabolic factors that drive stem cell aging using flow cytometry, RNA/DNA sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, immunofluorescence microscopy, HSC transplantation and assays of multiple organs.

Required skills:

• PhD in hematology, hematopoietic stem cell biology, aging biology or a related field
• At least one first-author publication in a recognized peer-reviewed journal
• Strong expertise in working with mice and Laboratory Animal Science certified
• Strong interest to carry out cutting-edge research and an attitude to drive own research and work in an intra and inter team fashion is highly expected
• Excellent communication skills in English are required
• Strong analytical skills and familiarity with data analysis tools
• Highly motivated, and able to work collaboratively

Desirable skills:

• Hands-on experience with advanced flow cytometry
• A research background in experimental stem cell biology and hematology
• Soft skills in teamwork, research communication and presentation
• A competence to think logically in biological terms, as demonstrated in research publications
• Expertise in R and foundations of statistics

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: Flemingsberg

Jette Lengefeld | Karolinska Institutet

Lengefeldlab

Stem Cell Size – Jette Lengefeld Team | Karolinska Institutet

Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM) | Karolinska Institutet

Department of Medicine, Huddinge | Karolinska Institutet

Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English:

• A complete CV including short publication list, positions held, awards and prizes, link to Google Scholar profile. Whole CV no longer than 1 page.

Welcome to apply at the latest 15.05.2026.

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system. Do not apply via email.

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: Flemingsberg campus

County: Stockholms län

Country: Sweden

Reference number: STÖD 2-1317/2026

Contact:

1. Jette Lengefeld, Assistant Professor, jette.lengefeld@ki.se
2. Anna Heinerö, HR-Partner, anna.heinero@ki.se

Union representative:

1. Peter Svensson, SACO, peter.svensson@ki.se
2. Mari Gilljam, OFR, mari.gilljam@ki.se
3. Elizabeth Valenzuela, SEKO, elizabeth.valenzuela@ki.se

Published: 2026-04-01

Last application date: 2026-05-15