One or two Postdoctoral Researchers in computational molecular programming — DNA nanotechnology[...]

Karolinska Institutet; Solna kommun; On-site; SEK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

The Högberg lab at Karolinska Institutet in Solna seeks a postdoctoral researcher with a PhD and a passion for computational science. You will help design DNA-based nanostructures, write software, and bridge biology, physics and mathematics to shape new molecular devices.

We value inventiveness and the ability to work across disciplines, with emphasis on modeling, programming and data analysis related to sequencing and molecular information processing.

Qualifications

• PhD or foreign degree equivalent to a doctoral degree is required at latest at the employment decision.
• Creative, quantitatively strong scientist who likes to invent and cross bridges between fields.
• Background in physics, computer science, computational or systems biology, bioinformatics, mathematics, engineering, chemistry or biotechnology is suitable.

Responsibilities

• Join the Högberg lab and help design and simulate self-assembling DNA nanostructures and molecular machines.
• Develop algorithms, models and software to encode and store information in DNA and perform molecular data operations.
• Create tools to reconstruct molecular localization from sequencing data and enable environment sensing and decision making in DNA devices.

Skills

Computational thinking

Python

DNA/RNA sequencing data

Education

Doctoral degree

Tools

NGS data

Job description

Overview

DNA is famous as the code of life— but it is also a programmable material, an unexpected bridge between the digital and the living. By choosing the order of its four building blocks, we can make DNA and RNA fold into precise nanoscale machines, carry out logical computations, and store and read out information. We are looking for one or two exceptional, computationally‑minded researchers to help us invent what comes next and, if you are inventive enough, to shape your own direction. If you are a physicist, computer scientist, biologist, engineer, chemist or mathematician excited by the idea of programming matter at the molecular scale, we want to hear from you.

Your mission

You will join the Högberg lab, an interdisciplinary group that builds molecular tools from DNA and RNA. Depending on your interests, you could develop the algorithms, models and software that:

• design and simulate self‑assembling DNA nanostructures and molecular machines;
• turn artificial molecular networks into images—reconstructing where molecules sit inside a tissue from sequencing data alone;
• encode, store, retrieve and error‑correct digital information in DNA, and make molecular data operations such as random access, editing and deletion robust;
• let molecules sense their environment, make decisions and act— for example DNA devices that respond only when the right conditions are met.

These are directions. We care far more about a genuinely creative and inventive scientist than perfect matches to any one project.

Your profile

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor, a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree is required. This requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision.

Beyond the formal requirements, we are looking for a creative, quantitatively strong scientist who likes to invent. Your PhD might be in physics, computer science, computational or systems biology, bioinformatics, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, biotechnology—or something not listed. Far more important than any specific background is that you:

• think computationally and enjoy building things—algorithms, models, simulations or software—that solve real scientific problems;
• are comfortable being the person who bridges fields, and are excited rather than intimidated by learning the molecular biology, physics or mathematics you do not yet know;
• have the imagination and drive to help define your own research questions.

Useful but none required: strong programming skills (Python, Julia, C++, R); experience with sequencing (NGS) data, geometry or graph algorithms, statistical inference or machine learning; error‑correcting codes or information theory; molecular modelling or structural design; hands‑on molecular biology.

What we offer

The Högberg lab is part of the Division of Molecular Systems Bioengineering at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Karolinska Institutet (KI). You will have the freedom to be ambitious, backed by a strong and continuous funding record and world‑class infrastructure for sequencing, imaging and computation, locally and through SciLifeLab.

Location

Solna

Read more about

www.hogberglab.net and Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why