Postdoctoral studies in microbiome and bacterial infections(scholarship)

Division

Within our research group, you will have the unique opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment at the intersection of infectious diseases, microbiology, antimicrobial therapy, immunology, and translational medicine. Our team combines clinical relevance with cutting-edge experimental research, offering researchers a unique opportunity to contribute to research with real impact on human health.

We provide an engaging and international research environment where researchers are encouraged to develop scientific independence, critical thinking, and practical research skills while working closely with experienced researchers and clinicians. Our research group has a strong focus on pathogenesis, immunity, and treatment in bacterial and viral infections. As part of our team, you will gain hands-on experience with in vitro and ex vivo experimental models, antibacterial resistance, microbiome research, host-pathogen interactions, and evaluation of therapeutic strategies.

The division focuses on understanding mechanisms of infectious diseases and improving prevention and treatment strategies, with research areas including antimicrobial resistance, microbiome-host interactions, infection, immunology, and pathogenesis in bacterial and viral infections. Through close collaborations between experimental and clinical researchers, members of our research group are exposed to both fundamental science and clinically relevant applications in an internationally competitive research setting. More details will be given in interview to selected applicants.

Duties

The successful applicant will perform his/her tasks in the experimental research group of Team Leader Shilpa Ray, part of Anders Sönnerborg’s research group. The postdoctoral project will focus on investigating the immunological changes of novel antimicrobials in primary cells in response to bacterial infection. This includes extensive in vitro experiments including cell culture, standard molecular techniques, and bacteriological methods. The applicant will also be involved in understanding gut barrier function, immune responses, and microbiome interactions in people living with HIV. The applicant will work within the projects of Dr. Shilpa Ray and contribute to both scientific and administrative activities within the research group.

The length of the scholarship is for one year, with the possibility for extension another year.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• A PhD (or equivalent experience) in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Bioengineering, or a related field
• At least five years of wet-lab experience in microbiological research, including bacterial culture and handling, pathogenesis of bacterial diseases, and bacterial infection assays in vitro
• Expertise in mammalian cell culture, including primary cell culture techniques
• Practical experience with flow cytometry (sample preparation and data analysis)
• Strong background in molecular biology techniques (e.g., DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, SDS PAGE, western blot, ELISA, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation)
• Experience conducting research in BSL-2 laboratory facilities
• Demonstrated experience in microbiome research
• Strong publication record, with first- and/or last-author publications in international peer-reviewed journals
• Excellent proficiency in spoken and written English
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work both independently and within multidisciplinary teams

Meritorious Experience

It is considered an advantage if the applicant has:

• Experience working with in vivo animal models of bacterial infection
• Additional experience in confocal microscopy
• Teaching experience or supervision of students

Entry requirements

Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who pursue their merit in Sweden. A foreign researcher is a person living in another country who comes to Sweden with the intention of only staying in Sweden for all or part of their postdoctoral education at KI. Persons who are resident in Sweden and/or have carried out all or part of their academic education at KI or some other educational institution in Sweden cannot be considered for scholarships. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent. A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four-year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent. To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate, or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post-doctoral education. The candidate is expected to start as soon as possible, or at the earliest mutually agreed date.

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. Here, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical 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. Students and employees have free access to our modern gym facilities with trained staff on site.

Location: Campus Flemingsberg

Links: Shilpa Rays team

Anders Sönnerborg´s research group

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process

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

• A complete curriculum vitae, 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)

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

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

Reference number: STÖD 2-4252/2026

Contact:

1. Shilpa Ray, shilpa.ray@ki.se
2. Eva Nordlander, eva.nordlander@ki.se

Union representative:

1. Peter Svensson, SACO, peter.svensson@ki.se
2. Mari Gilljam, OFR, mari.gilljam@ki.se
3. Robert Lindberg, SEKO, Robert.g.lindberg@seko.se

Published: 2026-10-16

Last application date: 2026-11-06