Jiri Bartek

Karolinska Institutet invites applications for a postdoctoral scholarship in virology, metabolism, and tumor biology, focusing on the mechanistic and therapeutic role 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 characterize a newly identified HCMV-cancer-associated virus, elucidate its replication and spread, and explore its impact on host cell metabolism and oncogenic transformation, particularly in glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor. Research will integrate basic, translational, and clinical approaches to uncover how viral infection drives DNA damage, cell-cycle checkpoint interference, inflammation, and metabolic rewiring, especially under radiotherapy-induced stress. The project leverages experimental models, patient samples, antiviral strategies, metabolic targeting, and AI-based drug discovery to identify novel therapeutic approaches. Key goals include identifying cellular activation signals for metabolic rewiring, assessing antiviral and antimetabolic strategies, discovering new antiviral compounds via AI modeling and chemical library screening, and determining the prevalence of the virus in various tissues. Responsibilities include performing cell and molecular biology and virology experiments, investigating mitochondrial function and redox regulation, identifying intracellular signaling pathways, studying viral replication and oncogenic mechanisms, collaborating with international partners, publishing in high-impact journals, and contributing to grant applications. The position is based in the Department of Medicine, Solna, within SciLifeLab and the Center for Molecular Medicine at Karolinska Institutet, offering a creative and inspiring environment with access to modern facilities and interdisciplinary expertise. Eligibility requires a Ph.D. in relevant fields (cell biology, virology, molecular biology, metabolic research, medicine, life sciences), scientific excellence, strong analytical and organizational skills, and proficiency in English. Preferred qualifications include hands-on experience with DNA/RNA viruses, intracellular signaling, DNA damage responses, mitochondrial biology, metabolic profiling, cell-cycle regulation, advanced cell culture models, viral replication assays, and imaging. Only foreign researchers who have not studied or resided in Sweden are eligible for the scholarship, which is tax-free and granted for up to two years, paid out in twelve-month periods (six months at a time). Applicants must submit a complete CV, publication list, and a summary of current work via the Varbi recruitment system. The application deadline is January 22, 2026. For further information, contact Professor Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér at [email protected].

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.

This postdoctoral scholarship at Karolinska Institutet offers an exciting opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team investigating the role of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in brain cancer, with a particular focus on lipid metabolism. The project, titled “Causal Role, Mechanistic Impact, and Therapeutic Targeting of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in Brain Cancer,” aims to uncover how viral infection rewires host lipid metabolic pathways to drive oncogenic transformation in glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive primary brain tumor. The research integrates basic, translational, and clinical approaches, collaborating with the University of Turku and the Danish Cancer Institute. Key research areas include characterizing cancer-associated viruses, defining their dependence on host lipid metabolism, and identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities. The project will utilize experimental model systems, patient material, metabolic and mitochondrial analyses, antiviral strategies, and AI-based drug discovery. Responsibilities involve conducting cell and molecular biology and virology experiments, investigating lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function, and collaborating with international partners. The ultimate goal is to identify lipid metabolic pathways essential for viral replication and tumor progression, and to develop novel antiviral and metabolic inhibitors. The position is based in the Department of Medicine, Solna, at Karolinska Institutet, within a dynamic research environment led by Professors Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér and Jiri Bartek. The team is renowned for its work in virology, cellular metabolism, replication stress, and ribosomal biology, with a strong emphasis on brain cancer. The department offers a creative and inspiring environment, access to modern facilities, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field (cell biology, virology, molecular biology, metabolic research, medicine, life sciences, or closely related disciplines) and demonstrate scientific excellence, strong analytical skills, and experience in scientific writing and publishing. Preferred qualifications include expertise in lipid metabolism, mitochondrial biology, lipidomics, and experience with DNA/RNA viruses. The scholarship is open only to foreign researchers who have not completed academic education in Sweden and is intended to promote internationalization and research qualification after a doctorate. The scholarship is tax-free, granted for up to two years, and paid in twelve-month periods (six months at a time). To apply, submit your application via the Varbi recruitment system, including a complete CV, list of publications, and a summary of current work. The application deadline is January 22, 2026. For more information, contact Professor Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér at [email protected].