Postdoctoral studies in developmental lineage tracing of the brain and choroid plexus (scholarship)

Postdoctoral Studies In Developmental Lineage Tracing Of The Brain And Choroid Plexus (Scholarship)

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research? Join the Andersson Lab at Karolinska Institutet to uncover how the embryonic brain and choroid plexus are formed. We combine pioneering in utero nano-injection methods with genetic barcoding, single-cell sequencing and advanced imaging to trace cell lineages directly in developing mouse embryos. The successful candidate will help establish a new framework for understanding the developmental origins, diversification, and organization of the choroid plexus in relation to surrounding neural tissues, in a collaborative and internationally connected research environment.

Division

The Andersson Lab is based at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), Karolinska Institutet, at BioMedicum in Stockholm. Our research focuses on mammalian developmental biology and regenerative medicine, with a particular emphasis on lineage tracing and genetic manipulation of early progenitor populations. We have developed in utero nano-injection approaches for delivering lentiviral vectors to embryonic tissues, enabling prospective lineage tracing and cell-type-specific manipulation across the developing nervous system and other organs. We integrate these tools with single-cell transcriptomics, molecular analysis, and three-dimensional imaging to understand how cellular diversity and tissue architecture arise.

Duties

The postdoctoral project will investigate the developmental lineage relationships between the choroid plexus and neighboring brain territories, including the origin, diversification, and spatial organization of choroid plexus epithelial and associated cell populations. The candidate will use early in utero nano-injection and barcode lineage tracing to resolve cell lineages.

The duties will include experimental planning and optimization of embryonic targeting, collection and characterization of developing tissues, immunofluorescence and microscopy, and preparation of samples for single-cell RNA sequencing and barcode recovery. Interacting with computational collaborators, the candidate will interpret cell identities, lineage relationships, and developmental trajectories, and integrate these findings with tissue anatomy and spatial information. The position also involves presenting research, preparing manuscripts, contributing to collaborative projects, and participating actively in the laboratory research environment.

Entry Requirements

We seek a motivated and independent researcher with a PhD in developmental biology, cell biology, neuroscience, molecular biology, or a closely related field.

Required qualifications:

• A strong background in embryonic brain development and/or choroid plexus biology is particularly relevant.
• Practical experience with mouse embryonic tissues (FELASA certification is meriting).
• Practical experience with developmental phenotyping, molecular biology and imaging.
• A demonstrated ability to plan and conduct rigorous experiments.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Ability to work collaboratively are required.

Experience with choroid plexus morphogenesis, epithelial development, neural progenitor biology, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, or analysis of developmental signalling pathways is particularly advantageous. Experience with in vivo genetic manipulation, lentiviral methods, single-cell transcriptomics, or lineage tracing is desirable, but training in these techniques will be provided. We value scientific curiosity, careful experimental work, initiative, and enthusiasm for learning new approaches.

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

Type Of Scholarship

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 or Swedish:

• 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

First day of employment – Upon agreement

Salary – Scholarship

Reference number – STÖD 2-4608/2026

Published – 12.Nov.2026

Last application date – 02.Dec.2026

Tagged as: Life Sciences