Postdoctoral studies in mitochondrial genetics (scholarship)

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

Join a leading research team dedicated to understanding how mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene expression affect mitochondrial function in disease and ageing. At the Division of Molecular Metabolism, we combine fundamental basic scientific research with clinical perspectives in a collaborative and well-equipped environment. We are currently looking for 1–2 highly motivated postdoctoral researchers to join the research group of Nils-Göran Larsson. Our group values scientific curiosity and careful experimentation. We welcome motivated researchers eager to explore mitochondrial biology in depth and contribute to advancing the field.

Division

The Division of Molecular Metabolism, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, is located at the modern Biomedicum laboratory building at Solna campus of Karolinska Institutet. Our research encompasses basic scientific approaches to understand the regulation of mitochondrial function and its control of metabolism as well as biochemical and genetic studies of patients with inherited mitochondrial diseases. We use biochemistry, molecular biology and a set of elaborate genetic mouse (Mus musculus) models to study molecular regulation of mitochondrial function. We also have access to cell lines and tissues from patients with mitochondrial disease for human validation of results. Modern -omics techniques, including single cell proteomics, play an important role in our analyses. We offer an outstanding research environment and a close interaction between basic science and clinical science and diagnostics at the Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases (CMMS) at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Excellent access to the most advanced resources in molecular and cell biology is available at the department and at the national core facilities at the Science for Life Laboratory.

https://ki.se/en/mbb/research-division-of-molecular-metabolism

https://ki.se/en/mbb/nils-goran-larsson-group

Duties

Mitochondria are central to cellular metabolism, and mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in a wide range of human diseases and in the ageing process. The postdoctoral researcher will independently pursue a main project and will be involved in collaborative efforts on other research projects within the group. The ongoing projects in the group include the organization and regulation of the mitochondrial genome, mechanisms controlling mitochondrial gene expression and maintenance, the role of mitochondria in ageing, and how mitochondrial dysfunction cause mitochondrial disease phenotypes and contributes to metabolic disorders, immune responses and cancer. The work will employ biochemical, molecular and cell biological approaches, various omics technologies, and advanced genetic models.

Entry requirements

Applications are invited from enthusiastic and motivated individuals holding a PhD in molecular biology or genetics, preferably with knowledge about mitochondrial biology. We are interested in individuals with experience in biochemistry, molecular biology, mouse genetics and different -omics methods. Good documentation skills as well as proficiency in both spoken and written English are required. The successful candidates should be able and willing to pursue his/her own research project and to contribute to ongoing collaborative projects. Personal suitability is of great importance when evaluating the applicants.

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.

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:

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 resumé (max 2 pages)
• A complete list of publications
• A personal motivation letter, explaining your research interest (max 1 page)
• Contact information of at least two references

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

First day of employment: Upon agreement
Salary: Scholarship
Reference number: STÖD 2-1972/2026
Contact:

1. Camilla Koolmeister, camilla.koolmeister@ki.se

Published: 2026-05-06
Last application date: 2026-05-28