Postdoctoral Researcher in Systems Biology of Energy Metabolism

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Rydén and Mejhert laboratory investigates how alterations in human white adipocyte function contribute to cardiometabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis. Our multidisciplinary team comprises 15–20 members and includes postdoctoral fellows, PhD and master’s students, and technical staff, conducts cutting-edge translational research. We are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a comprehensive preclinical laboratory at KI Campus Flemingsberg and a dedicated clinical research unit at Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, enabling seamless integration from basic science to clinical application.

Your mission

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented postdoctoral researcher to join our laboratory for an exciting project focused on mitochondrial function in adipocytes. The project centers on a poorly characterized protein localized to adipocyte mitochondria, predicted to function as an oxidoreductase. Our preliminary data show that loss of this protein impairs insulin-stimulated conversion of glucose into fatty acids, highlighting its potential role in regulating adipocyte metabolism.

The successful candidate will explore the molecular and metabolic functions of this protein using a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches. This includes leveraging our existing metabolomic tracing data to define altered pathways and analyzing an adipocyte-specific knockout mouse model to assess systemic metabolic effects.

The project will involve CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, metabolic flux analysis, and transcriptomic and proteomic profiling. The candidate is expected to lead the integration of multi-omic datasets and work closely with bioinformaticians to identify key regulatory mechanisms. Wet lab responsibilities will include adipocyte culture, functional assays, western blotting, and microscopy.

This project is embedded in a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment with close ties to clinical studies and translational metabolism. The position offers excellent opportunities for scientific development, collaboration, and career advancement.

Your profile

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

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in metabolic research and a passion for uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying adipocyte function. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in cellular metabolism, with a particular focus on mitochondrial biology. Bioinformatic expertise, particularly in R, Python, or similar programming languages, is highly desirable and will be a valuable asset for data integration and analysis in this project. Additionally, experience in CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing, cloning, cell culture techniques, and working with mouse models will be highly advantageous and critical for the successful progression of the project.

The successful applicant will demonstrate the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, meet deadlines, and work independently, while also thriving in a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the capacity to critically analyze complex data will be key to the success of the project.

Proficiency in both written and spoken English is essential for effective communication, manuscript preparation, and collaboration with international partners.

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. At Karolinska Institutet, 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

Mikael Rydén & Niklas Mejhert lab | Karolinska Institutet

Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why

Application

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

• PhD certificate
• A complete resumé, 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 summary of current work (no more than one page)

Welcome to apply at the latest 2025-05-15.

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!

1. Balbir Dhuper, HR-partner, [email protected]
2. Niklas Mejhert, Recruiting mananger, [email protected]
3. Mikael Rydén, Recruiting mananger, [email protected]

1. Belinda Pannagel, SACO, [email protected]
2. Mari Gilljam, OFR, [email protected]
3. Peter Svensson, SACO, [email protected]