Research specialist in cell therapy for diabetes

Karolinska Institutet; Solna kommun; On-site; SEK 446,400 - 669,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collective agreement benefits

Creative and inspiring environment

Opportunities for collaboration in diverse scientific fields

Job summary

Karolinska Institutet in Flemingsberg seeks a Research Specialist in cell therapy for diabetes. The role involves optimizing protocols for insulin-producing islets and requires a PhD along with documented postdoctoral research experience.

Ideal candidates will possess extensive experience in stem cell culture, and the ability to work both independently and within a collaborative environment. Opportunities abound for leveraging diverse expertise in a top-tier medical research institution.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated research expertise and postdoctoral experience required.
• Extensive experience in stem cell culture and differentiation of pancreatic islets.

Responsibilities

• Lead role in optimizing differentiation protocols for insulin-producing islets.
• Collaborate with a diverse team in stem cell-based regenerative medicine.

Skills

Experience in large-scale antibody sorting of cells

Experience and knowledge of fixed bed and 3D bioreactors

Experience in vascular biology and diabetes

Microscopy

Genetic modification

Single-cell transcriptional analysis

Education

PhD or foreign equivalent in a relevant field

Job description

Research specialist in cell therapy for diabetes

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research? Fredrik Lanner’s laboratory, which is part of the division of obstetrics and gynecology within the department of clinical science, intervention and technology (CLINTEC), develops new stem cell–based therapies for blindness and diabetes. The laboratory operates at the interface of stem cell biology, cell therapy, transplantation technology, and advanced cell manufacturing, in close collaboration with clinical and industrial partners. We are now seeking a research specialist to further advance our ambitions to treat diabetes using pluripotent stem cells.

Your mission

As a research specialist in Lanner lab, you will have a leading role in an integrated team with members from several different labs at Karolinska Institutet with diversified expertise in stem cell-based regenerative medicine, large-scale cell production, advanced biomaterials, animal models and beta cell signaling. In this team, you will work on optimizing robust differentiation protocols for functional insulin-producing islets for clinical transplantation.

Eligibility requirements

For employment as Research Specialist at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements stated in the Guidelines for non-teaching positions at Karolinska Institutet are applied in relation to the established profile of employment.

To be eligible for employment as a Research Specialist, in addition to holding a Degree of Doctor, PhD, or having a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a Swedish doctoral degree, the applicant must have demonstrated research expertise as well as have documented postdoctoral research experience.

Furthermore, to be eligible for employment, extensive and well-documented (published) experience in stem cell culture and the differentiation of pancreatic islets is required.

Assessment criteria

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown

• Experience in large-scale antibody sorting of cells
• Experience and knowledge of fixed bed and 3D bioreactors
• Experience in vascular biology and diabetes

It is meritorious that the applicant has shown experience in

• Microscopy
• Genetic modification
• Single-cell transcriptional analysis

As a person, you have strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work in a team and build new relationships, while also being able to take your own initiatives and work independently to drive tasks forward. You are highly motivated and driven to deliver work of high quality. The position involves collaboration with international colleagues, which requires good skills in English, both spoken and written. Particular emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

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 successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical 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. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Flemingsberg

Application

Welcome to apply no later than July 31, 2026.

We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents: PhD certificate, resume, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's qualifications portfolio.

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

KI applies individual and differentiated salary setting in accordance with our collective agreements RALS and RALS-T. Permanent position is initiated by a six months trial period.

Type of employment: Contract type Full time

First day of employment: According to agreement

Salary: Monthly salary

Number of positions: 1 (Full-time equivalent 100%)

City: Flemingsberg

County: Sweden

Contact

• Fredrik Lanner, 08-52483671, [e-mail]
• Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO, [e-mail]