Simon Koplev

The Koplev lab at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and SciLifeLab is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to develop computational methods for studying human tissue architecture using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics. The project sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and spatial biology, with a focus on how cells organize into complex human tissues and how computational approaches can reveal that organization in health and disease. The research is centered on human gastrointestinal disease, including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and colorectal cancer. A major aim is to build and evaluate autonomous AI scientist systems that can carry out end-to-end bioinformatics analysis: writing and executing code, assessing outputs, refining analytical strategies, and generating testable biological hypotheses. The postdoctoral researcher will therefore work on both method development and biological discovery, with the AI systems themselves forming a core part of the scientific challenge. The role involves developing AI agents for automated analysis of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data, integrating large-scale datasets across technologies, tissues, and diseases, and investigating mechanisms of tissue organization such as immune cell migration and intercellular signalling. The postdoc will also help disseminate findings through publications, conferences, and open-source software. The position is embedded in a collaborative environment at the Department of Gene Technology and SciLifeLab. The wider research programme in the lab spans tissue architecture in the gastrointestinal tract, heart, and cardiovascular system, offering scope to shape new research directions aligned with the candidate's interests and expertise. The postdoc will also contribute to the group by mentoring students and supporting collaborative projects while building an independent research profile.