Postdoctoral studies in bioinformatics and computational virus discovery (scholarship) Karolinska Institutet in Sweden

Karolinska Institutet invites applications for a postdoctoral scholarship in bioinformatics and computational virus discovery, focusing on the causal role and mechanistic impact of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in brain cancer. This position is part of a multidisciplinary research team led by Professors Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér and Jiri Bartek, collaborating with the University of Turku and the Danish Cancer Institute. The project aims to identify, sequence, and characterize a novel HCMV-cancer-associated virus, leveraging advanced sequencing technologies (Oxford Nanopore and Illumina) and integrative bioinformatics to address urgent questions in cancer biology and viral oncology.

The successful candidate will play a central role in viral detection, genome assembly, and sequence annotation, integrating sequencing, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolic datasets to uncover novel virus–host interactions and understand how this virus contributes to tumor biology and therapeutic vulnerability. Responsibilities include analyzing DNA/RNA sequencing data, performing de novo and hybrid assembly, developing pipelines for viral detection and annotation, and integrating multi-omics data to identify virus-associated pathways and host responses. The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate closely with experimental virologists, cell biologists, and clinician-scientists, guiding experimental validation and translational studies in patients.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, systems biology, or a closely related field, with demonstrated scientific excellence and strong analytical skills. Preferred qualifications include experience with next-generation sequencing (Oxford Nanopore and/or Illumina), viral sequence detection, genome reconstruction, multi-omics data integration, and proficiency in R and/or Python, shell scripting, and Linux environments. Experience with proteomics and/or metabolomics LC-MS data analysis, international research experience, and additional academic achievements are considered merits. Only foreign researchers who have not completed their academic education in Sweden are eligible for this scholarship.

The scholarship is tax-free, set for twelve months at a time, and paid out on a six-month basis, with a maximum duration of two years. The position is located within the Department of Medicine, Solna, at Karolinska Institutet, a leading medical university renowned for innovative research and biomedical education. The research environment is creative and inspiring, with opportunities for collaboration across diverse scientific fields and access to modern facilities.

To apply, submit your application via the Varbi recruitment system, including a complete CV, list of publications, and a summary of current work (max one page) in English or Swedish. The application deadline is January 22, 2026. For further information, contact Professor Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér at [email protected]. Join us and contribute to groundbreaking research in cancer biology and viral discovery at Karolinska Institutet.