Postdoctoral Researcher in Structural Biology of Mitochondrial Gene Expression

Karolinska Institutet (KI); Sweden; On-site; SEK 334,800 - 558,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure

Collaborative international environment

Potential for postdoctoral scholarship

Job summary

Karolinska Institutet (KI) in Stockholm is seeking a highly motivated researcher for a postdoctoral position in structural biology. This interdisciplinary project will focus on the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial gene expression.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative team and engage in cutting-edge research using advanced technologies such as cryo-EM and next-generation sequencing. KI offers a dynamic environment to contribute to groundbreaking medical research.

Qualifications

• Strong practical experience with cryo-EM.
• Experience in mitochondrial biology is desirable.
• Promising publication record.

Responsibilities

• Use detailed molecular and structural approaches to uncover new insights.
• Investigate regulation of gene expression in mitochondria.

Skills

Structural biology

Cryo-EM

Molecular biology

Good documentation and organizational skills

Excellent spoken and written English

Education

PhD in structural biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or related field

Tools

Cryo-EM

Advanced microscopy

Flow cytometry

Next-generation sequencing

Transgenic technologies

Job description

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in structural biology in the group of Prof Joanna Rorbach at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher to join an interdisciplinary project focused on the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial gene expression, including mitochondrial translation, in health and disease.

Your mission

The project combines expertise in structural biology, mitochondrial biology, molecular biology, and disease modelling to understand how mitochondrial proteins regulate gene expression and contribute to mitochondrial disease. The successful candidate will use detailed molecular and structural approaches to uncover new insights into mitochondrial protein function and disease pathophysiology.

About the research group

The Rorbach laboratory investigates the regulation of gene expression in mitochondria using genetic, structural, biochemical, and molecular approaches. Our work often focuses on disease-relevant mechanisms and aims to identify new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

Recent and relevant publications include Richter et al., Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 2026; Nguyen et al., Nature Communications 2026; Shao et al., Nature Communications 2025; Cipullo et al., Nature Communications 2024; Kruger et al., Nature Communications 2023; and Itoh et al., Nature 2022.

The successful candidate will join an international and collaborative team of researchers at Karolinska Institutet. The working language of the group is English.

Your profile

We are looking for applicants with a strong background in structural biology. Experience with cryo-EM and molecular biology is essential. Previous experience in mitochondrial biology is desirable.

The successful candidate should have:

• A PhD in structural biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field
• Strong practical experience with cryo-EM
• Excellent knowledge of modern biological and structural approaches
• A promising publication record
• A rigorous, independent, and creative scientific mindset
• Good documentation and organizational skills
• Excellent spoken and written English
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a highly collaborative research environment

The candidate should be motivated to develop their own research ideas while contributing to the broader goals of the group.

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, a PhD or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a Swedish PhD is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. Completion of your doctoral degree within the last three years is considered an advantage. If there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.

Eligible candidates may also be offered a Postdoctoral scholarship. Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who pursue their postdoctoral research in Sweden and are intended to promote internationalization.

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.

Type of scholarship

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

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. The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics provides access to state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, including facilities for cryo-EM, advanced microscopy, flow cytometry, next‑generation sequencing, and transgenic technologies.

Location: Biomedicum, Solna

Application

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

• PhD certificate
• A complete résumé, 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 cover letter describing research experience, motivation, and future interests
• Contact details for two referees

KI applies individual and differentiated salary setting in accordance with our collective agreements RALS and RALS‑T.

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

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