Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?
Join the dynamic and collaborative group led by Prof. Maja Jagodic at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet. The group is a part of the Karolinska Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis (KNIMS) network which gathers approximately 100 researchers who work with different aspects of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. This opportunity allows you to contribute to interactive research fueled by relevant clinical questions, merging a deep molecular understanding of the mechanisms behind MS with access to some of the world's most competitive clinical cohorts. You will benefit from a highly collaborative, engaged, and international research environment dedicated to exploring innovative translational ideas.
Your mission
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the cutting-edge development in the field of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions with the goal of uncovering novel biological insights and innovative biomarkers of brain tissue damage, and is supported by the StratNeuro New Technologies grant.
You will lead the development of robust computational pipelines for liquid biopsy analysis, i.e., cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis. A key aspect of the work involves defining genomic features that can be utilized to classify different degrees of neurodegeneration and developing computational pipelines to translate such classifiers into biomarkers using liquid biopsies.
Tasks for the position:
- Pre-processing of raw high throughput sequencing data, including data transfer to sensitive HPC resource, read trimming, sequence alignment, robust quality control, count, filter, normalization, variation and DNA methylation calling etc.
- Defining genomic features that can be utilized to classify different degrees of neurodegeneration using in-house, external and public sequencing data.
- Statistical analysis and modeling, biomarker analysis, data interpretation and visualization.
- Development of tools to support clinical initiatives in applications of liquid biopsies.
- Supervision of colleagues, graduate and PhD students in bioinformatics and omics analysis and transfer of knowledge.
- Applying for external funding - both national and international.
- Active participation in academic, industry and health care collaborations involving omics-based methods to improve understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions.
This position is ideal for a scientist who thrives in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment and is passionate about applying computational approaches to complex biological questions. The role also includes the development of tools and resources to support the clinical translation of research findings in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.
Your profile
We are seeking a highly motivated bioinformatician with a strong background in omics data analysis.
Absolute requirements
- PhD in bioinformatics, computer science, biology, medicine, or mathematical statistics.
- Experience with DNA methylation analysis and/or liquid biopsy analysis.
- Documented experience in development of bioinformatics tools and software packages.
- In-depth knowledge of NGS data processing from whole genome sequencing and RNA-seq.
- Proficiency in programming (preferably Python and/or R).
- Substantial experience working in bash scripting and HPC Linux/Unix environment.
- Strong interest in utilizing bioinformatics to understand and manage complex human diseases.
- Experience of collaboration between different disciplines and providing bioinformatics support.
- Good command of English, oral and written.
Additional merits
- Machine learning methods such deep learning for analysis of sequencing data and classifiers.
- Expertise in managing large amounts of data by designing structured databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL).
- Expertise in web programming and web application development.
- Experience of implementation research.
Since the position involves close interaction with several researchers, emphasis is placed on personal skills such as:
- Very good collaborative skills.
- Excellent communication skills and analytical skills.
To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor, 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.
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: Solna
Read more about the Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Read more about the research group you will be part of
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 August 29, 2025.
The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.
