项目介绍

2026年9月19日

To be a doctoral student means to devote oneself to a research project under supervision of experienced researchers and following an individual study plan. For a doctoral degree, the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education is required.

The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching within immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. Our key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, national and international collaborations.

The research group

The prospective doctoral student will join Dr. Amir Ata Saei’s research group at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet. The Saei Lab develops and applies mass spectrometry-based proteomics, chemical proteomics and multi-omics approaches to understand how metabolites and other small molecules regulate protein function and disease biology. The group combines proteomics, bioinformatics, biochemistry and cellular models to move from unbiased molecular discovery to mechanistic validation. The doctoral project will be embedded in a collaborative environment with expertise in clinical metabolism, adipose biology, metabolomics and human cell models. For more information, see www.SaeiLab.com or contact Dr. Saei at amir.saei@ki.se.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

You will work on a project aimed at defining the molecular mechanisms that drive adipocyte insulin resistance and its reversal after bariatric surgery, in collaboration with Prof. Mikael Rydén, and Prof. Yihai Cao’s labs. The project involves proteomics analysis of adipose tissue and plasma samples from individuals that undergo bariatric surgery for weight loss. You will integrate deep plasma proteomics, untargeted metabolomics and multifaceted tissue proteomics to identify circulating factors and adipose pathways that track with improved insulin sensitivity. The work will combine mass spectrometry-based proteomics, quantitative data analysis, bioinformatics and multi-omics integration. In white adipose tissue, you will study protein abundance and stability using advanced proteomics assays. Prioritized proteins or metabolites will then be tested in human 3D adipocyte spheroids using functional readouts. Mechanistic follow-up may include CRISPR/Cas9 or gene-silencing experiments, and the strongest candidates may be taken forward for focused in vivo validation with collaborators. The doctoral student is expected to plan and perform experiments, analyze and interpret data, present results, contribute to manuscripts and collaborate actively across the participating research groups.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. As a doctoral student you are offered an individual research project, a well-educated supervisor, a vast range of elective courses and the opportunity to work in a leading research group. Karolinska Institutet collaborates with prominent universities from all around the world, which ensures opportunities for international exchanges. You will be employed on a doctoral studentship which means that you receive a contractual salary. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Eligibility requirements for doctoral education

In order to participate in the selection for a doctoral position, you must meet the following general (A) and specific (B) eligibility requirements at latest by the application deadline.

It is your responsibility to certify eligibility by following the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.

A) General eligibility requirementYou meet the general eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:

1. Have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree), or
2. Have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the advanced/second-cycle/master level, or
3. Have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.*

Follow the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.

*If you claim equivalent knowledge, follow the instructions on the web page Assessing equivalent knowledge for general eligibility for doctoral education.

B) Specific eligibility requirement

You meet the specific eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:

• Show proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school.

Follow the instructions on the web page English language requirements for doctoral education.

Verification of your documents: Karolinska Institutet checks the authenticity of your documents. Karolinska Institutet reserves the right to revoke admission if supporting documents are discovered to be fraudulent. Submission of false documents is a violation of Swedish law and is considered grounds for legal action.

(A) and (B) can only be certified by the documentation requirement for doctoral education.

Skills and personal qualities

In addition to the aforementioned requirements for the position:

• You are highly motivated, curious and able to take responsibility for a long-term research project, while working both independently and collaboratively.
• You have a strong educational background in biomedicine, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, metabolism or a closely related field.
• You have practical research experience in at least two areas relevant to the project, such as mammalian cell culture, molecular biology/biochemistry, or quantitative biological data analysis.
• You have experience with bioinformatics/statistics and R or Python for analysis of large biological datasets.
• You have strong analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills and can document and communicate scientific work clearly.
• You have very good written and spoken English and enjoy working in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.

Meritorious for the position:

• Experience with mass spectrometry-based proteomics or metabolomics, including sample preparation or quantitative omics analysis.
• Experience in metabolism, adipocyte biology, insulin signaling, obesity, type 2 diabetes or related metabolic research.
• Experience with 3D cell culture, CRISPR/Cas9 or gene silencing, metabolic assays, or other functional validation methods.
• Experience working with human samples or a research thesis/project that has resulted in a publication or comparable scientific output.

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

Application process

Submit your application and supporting documents through the Varbi recruitment system. Use the button in the top right corner and follow the instructions. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish.

Your application must contain the following documents:

• A personal letter and a curriculum vitae
• Degree projects and previous publications, if any
• Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above
• Documents certifying your general eligibility (see A above)
• Documents certifying your specific eligibility (see B above)

Selection

A selection will be made among eligible applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.

Karolinska Institutet uses the following bases of assessment:

• Documented subject knowledge of relevance to the area of research
• Analytical skill
• Other documented knowledge or experience that may be relevant to doctoral studies in the subject.

All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.

KI applies a salary scale when setting salaries for doctoral students.

www.SaeiLab.com
https://ki.se/en/mtc