Assistant Professor in Immuno-Oncology

Karolinska Institutet

Solna kommun

On-site

SEK 669,600 - 1,004,400

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Generous parental leave

Job summary

Karolinska Institutet is seeking an Assistant Professor to drive innovative research in cancer immunotherapy. This role involves leading an independent research group focused on experimental immuno-oncology.

Successful candidates will have a strong scientific background, proven funding ability, and the opportunity to collaborate across departments. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package and an inclusive academic environment.

Qualifications

PhD (or equivalent degree) in a relevant subject area.
At least two peer‑reviewed original scientific publications.
Documented international research experience.
Proven ability to attract competitive research funding.

Responsibilities

Build and lead an independent research group.
Secure external funding to support the research programme.
Supervise doctoral students and contribute to education.
Establish strong collaborations within and beyond the department.

Skills

Scientific excellence

Collaborative skills

Independent research leadership

Expertise in experimental immunology

Education

PhD in a relevant subject area

Tools

Genome engineering

Omics technologies

Job description

Karolinska Institute, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology

Are you a bold, creative researcher ready to shape the future of medical science? Karolinska Institutet (KI), one of the world’s foremost medical universities, is launching a major recruitment initiative in 2026. KI is looking for up to 21 outstanding early‑career researchers to join us as Assistant Professors in a wide range of subject areas.

At KI, we foster a vibrant international academic environment that values curiosity, collaboration, innovation and high‑quality research. We are looking for inspiring scientists who are motivated to contribute to and further develop a strong research and education environment and who demonstrate high quality science and potential for academic leadership.

What do we offer?

If you meet our requirements and propose a groundbreaking research project, we will employ you as an Assistant Professor for six years and support you with a generous funding package of 12 MSEK to cover salary and other research costs. KI offers the opportunity to be promoted from a time‑limited six‑year position as Assistant Professor to permanent employment as Senior Lecturer.

As a governmental authority, KI offers a comprehensive benefits package governed by collective agreements. These include annual salary reviews, supplementary insurance and opportunities to participate in institutional decision‑making.

Sweden is known for being a family‑friendly country, offering a high quality of life, generous parental leave and excellent childcare and education systems – creating a welcoming environment for both researchers and their families.

KI values differences in backgrounds and perspectives. Diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our core values. KI is dedicated to equal opportunities and rejects all forms of discrimination.

Description of the subject area

Cancer immunotherapy is entering a phase where immune responses can be rationally designed by controlling immune cell fate, function and behaviour. This position focuses on experimental immuno‑oncology with an emphasis on mechanistic insight and engineering‑driven approaches to understand and manipulate anti‑tumour immunity. Research may include immune cell engineering, synthetic immunology, tumour–immune interactions and in‑vivo programming of immune responses. Particular emphasis is placed on approaches that address immune cell plasticity, persistence and function within the tumour microenvironment.

Your mission

As an Assistant Professor you will build and lead an independent research group focused on developing and applying experimental strategies to understand and manipulate immune responses in cancer, including their dynamics within the tumour microenvironment and tumour‑host context. You will actively secure external funding to support your research programme and drive its long‑term development.

Part of your academic responsibilities will be to supervise doctoral students and contribute to the training and mentoring of post‑doctoral researchers. You will also contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate education and help train the next generation of scientists.

You are expected to establish strong collaborations within and beyond the department, including clinical and technological platforms where relevant, and to participate in seminars, collaborative initiatives and interdisciplinary programmes.

Eligibility requirements

A PhD (or equivalent degree) in a relevant subject area.
At least two peer‑reviewed original scientific publications as first or last author, in addition to the doctoral thesis.
Scientific excellence, originality and feasibility reflected in impactful research contributions within immunology, cancer biology or related disciplines.
Documented international research experience and strong engagement in collaborative and interdisciplinary research environments.
Proven ability to attract competitive research funding and lead independent research programmes.
A clear and forward‑looking research vision addressing fundamental and translational aspects of immune regulation and therapeutic engineering.
Strong expertise in experimental and/or computational approaches relevant to immunology, immune engineering, cell and gene therapy or related fields.
Experience with advanced technologies and model systems, including omics, systems biology, genome engineering or high‑dimensional cellular analysis.
Strong scientific networking, leadership and collaborative skills, with potential to contribute new research dimensions within the department.
A strong scientific background in some of the following areas:
- Tumour immunology, immune regulation and cancer biology.
- Experimental and translational cancer immunotherapy.
- Cell engineering, synthetic immunology and advanced therapeutic modalities.
- Systems immunology, omics technologies and computational biology.
- Tumour microenvironment research, immune evasion and therapeutic resistance mechanisms.
- Development of next‑generation immunotherapies and human‑relevant experimental model systems.

Assessment criteria

Scientific excellence, originality and feasibility reflected in impactful research contributions within immunology, cancer biology or related disciplines.
Documented international research experience and strong engagement in collaborative and interdisciplinary research environments.
Proven ability to attract competitive research funding and lead independent research programmes.
A clear and forward‑looking research vision addressing fundamental and translational aspects of immune regulation and therapeutic engineering.
Strong expertise in experimental and/or computational approaches relevant to immunology, immune engineering, cell and gene therapy or related fields.
Experience with advanced technologies and model systems, including omics, systems biology, genome engineering or high‑dimensional cellular analysis.
Strong scientific networking, leadership and collaborative skills, with potential to contribute new research dimensions within the department.
A strong scientific background in some of the following areas:
- Tumour immunology, immune regulation and cancer biology.
- Experimental and translational cancer immunotherapy.
- Cell engineering, synthetic immunology and advanced therapeutic modalities.
- Systems immunology, omics technologies and computational biology.
- Tumour microenvironment research, immune evasion and therapeutic resistance mechanisms.
- Development of next‑generation immunotherapies and human‑relevant experimental model systems.

Application guidelines

A personal letter (maximum one page).
Application form, including your research project.
Up to ten published papers and optionally one manuscript, in PDF format.
PhD certificate.
If your PhD is older than seven years and you want to claim deductible time, attach a certificate of deductible time in Swedish or English.

Welcome to apply no later than 31 August 2026 (time 23.59 CEST).

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