Postdoctoral studies in stem cell transplantation and spinal cord injury (scholarship)

Do you want to contribute to improving human health? The Li Research Group at Karolinska Institutet investigates how the human

central nervous system (CNS) develops, how these programs are disrupted by injury and disease, and how they can be

harnessed for regeneration and repair. Our research integrates single-cell and spatial multi-omics, human developmental tissue,

stem cell and organoid models, perturbation approaches, and in vivo models to uncover mechanisms controlling cell states and cell

fate. Current directions include spinal cord development and regeneration, stem cell responses to spinal cord injury, neural stem

cell transplantation, CNS organoids, and developmental mechanisms of brain tumours. Our long-term goal is to move from mapping

human CNS cell states to understanding and ultimately controlling them, creating new opportunities for regenerative medicine and

neurological disease treatment. The group provides an interdisciplinary environment connecting experimental biology, computational

science, and translational collaborations. Division The Division of Neurogeriatrics at the Department of Neurobiology, Care

Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, conducts multidisciplinary research on the mechanisms underlying neurological

and neurodegenerative disorders across the lifespan. Research spans molecular and cellular neuroscience, human tissue studies,

biomarkers, genetics, imaging, experimental models, and clinical and translational research. The division has particular strengths

in neurodegeneration, brain aging, disease mechanisms, and the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, with

close links between basic, translational, and clinical research. This provides a stimulating environment for projects that connect

fundamental mechanisms of CNS development, injury, regeneration, and disease with questions of human health and therapeutic

innovation. Duties The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to a research programme investigating how stem and progenitor cells

respond to the injured spinal cord environment and how their survival, differentiation, integration, and regenerative potential

can be improved. The duties will combine experimental models of spinal cord injury with stem cell transplantation, gene

perturbation, and molecular profiling using single-cell and spatial omics. Key duties include: - Establishing and performing stem

cell transplantation experiments in spinal cord injury models. - Conducting and optimizing experimental spinal cord injury models

and related tissue collection and characterization. - Performing stem/progenitor cell culture and differentiation, with

opportunities to use CNS organoid or related advanced cellular models. - Applying genetic or molecular perturbation approaches to

investigate mechanisms regulating cell fate, integration, and regeneration. - Generating and interpreting single-cell, spatial, or

other omics data together with computational researchers in the group. - Performing complementary molecular, histological,

imaging, and functional analyses to validate key findings. - Contributing to experimental design, data interpretation, manuscript

preparation, and development of new projects within the broader research line. The successful candidate will join a growing and

interdisciplinary research environment combining spinal cord injury models, stem cell transplantation, CNS development, organoid

and perturbation systems, and cutting-edge single-cell and spatial omics. The fellow will have opportunities to work closely with

experimental and computational researchers, develop new scientific directions within the broader programme, and build an

independent research profile. We actively support fellows in applying for external postdoctoral fellowships and research grants

through scientific mentoring, project development and feedback on applications. Entry requirements We are looking for a highly

motivated experimental researcher with a strong background in stem cell biology, spinal cord injury, neural regeneration, or

related areas. The successful candidate should have: - Documented hands-on experience with experimental spinal cord injury models

and/or spinal cord surgery. - Experience with stem or progenitor cell culture, preferably involving neural differentiation or

transplantation. - Experience with in vivo experimentation, including tissue collection and downstream histological or molecular

analyses. - A strong interest in combining stem cell transplantation, gene perturbation, and molecular profiling to study

mechanisms of CNS repair. - Experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques relevant to neural stem cell or regeneration

research. - Ability to independently plan and perform experiments, troubleshoot protocols, analyse data, and contribute to

scientific writing. - Good communication skills in English and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and

collaborative research environment. Experience with cell transplantation, CRISPR or other gene perturbation approaches, organoid

models, single-cell or spatial omics, advanced imaging, or quantitative analysis is considered an advantage. A FELASA certificate

or equivalent documented training in laboratory animal science is also considered a plus. Applicants are not expected to have

expertise in all these areas. Eligibility for scholarship Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who

pursue their merit in Sweden. A foreign researcher is a person living in another country who comes to Sweden with the intention of

only staying in Sweden for all or part of their postdoctoral education at KI. Persons who are resident in Sweden and/or have

carried out all or part of their academic education at KI or some other educational institution in Sweden cannot be considered for

scholarships. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to

research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent. A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a

maximum of two years within a four-year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent. To be eligible for a

postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate, or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate.

Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements

for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post-doctoral education. 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. Here, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical 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. Students and employees have free access to our modern gym facilities with trained staff on site. Location:

BioClinicum, Solna Campus Type of scholarship One year postdoctoral scholarship, with a possibility of extension. Postdoctoral

scholarships can be granted for a maximum of two years. The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out

on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable. Application process An application must contain

the following documents in English: - A complete curriculum vitae, 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) The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment

system. Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all