Postdoctoral studies in angiogenesis and cancer metabolism
Karolinska Institutet · Solna · Deadline 2026-11-11
Karolinska Institutet in Solna is offering a **postdoctoral scholarship** in Professor Yihai Cao’s research group to study the impact of tumor vasculature and metabolism on tumor growth, metastasis, and anticancer drug responses. The project involves cross-disciplinary research using newly developed omics and in vivo disease models, with the overarching aim of identifying novel therapeutic targets and mechanisms for cancer therapy. The selected researcher will work independently in collaboration with senior group members. Funding is provided as a **tax-free scholarship** set for twelve months at a time, grantable for up to two years. Eligible applicants must hold a **doctorate or equivalent foreign degree** in an appropriate scientific field, awarded within the last four years, or complete all degree requirements before the intended start date. Because the scholarship is intended for international recruitment, applicants must currently reside outside Sweden and must not have lived or pursued their academic education in Sweden or at KI. A solid research background and an excellent track record in cancer research are required. Experience in vascular biology, metabolism, metastasis, and mouse models is essential, alongside broad expertise in standard molecular and cell biology methods.
Organisation: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Tumor Biology. Cao
Postdoctoral studies inangiogenesis and cancer metabolism (scholarship)
Do you want to contribute to improving human health?
The research in Professor Yihai Cao´s lab is focused on angiogenesis, vascular biology, adipose metabolism, and their relations to tumor growth, metastasis, and cancer therapy. Over the years, we have developed unique technologies and platforms to investigate molecular mechanisms that underlie the onset, development, and progression of various cancers. Our goal is to define novel therapeutic targets, to provide mechanistic rationale, and to development new effective drugs for cancer therapy. In particular, we emphasize improvements of lifespan and quality-of-life as the ultimate goal of cancer therapy.
Division
At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching within immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. Our key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, national and international collaborations.
The Tumor Biology Division at MTC is a creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests focusing on focusing on basic mechanisms and translational research in malignant disease. Our vision is to pursue the development of new knowledge about cancer and to promote a better health for all. Research at the division is carried out in several scientific areas which generates a diversified environment where cross-fertilization between different fields has the potential to generate novel and groundbreaking concepts.
Duties
We are seeking a highly motivated, ambitious, hardworking, and dedicated young scientist to study the impact of tumor vasculatures and metabolism on tumor growth, metastasis, and anticancer drug responses. Our project is cross-disciplinary and requires broad expertise and technical skills, including newly developed omics and in vivo disease models. The candidate should work independently in collaboration with other experienced senior members in our laboratory.
Entry requirements
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.
In addition to the aforementioned requirements:
- The applicant must hold a PhD in an appropriate scientific field.
- Solid research experience and excellent track-record in the cancer field are required.
Meritorious for the position:
- Experience with cell culture, flow cytometry, IHC, ELISA, cell biology, genomics, proteomics, and basic molecular techniques (SDS-PAGE, Western blot, qPCR etc.).
- Experiences vascular biology, metabolism, metastasis, and drug treatment in experimental animal (mouse) models are essential.
- Experiences of development of new technologies are desirable.
- Supervision experiences of young scientists are of advantage.
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: Solna
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.
Links:
- Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why.
- Read more about the research group of Yihai Cao.
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
Jobbfakta
Fält – Värde
First day of employment – According to agreement
Salary – Scholarship
Reference number – STÖD 2-4298/2026
Contact – Yihai Cao, yihai.cao@ki.se
Union representative – Carina Eklund, OFR/ST, carina.eklund@ki.se; Björn Andersson, SACO, bjorn.andersson@ki.se; Robert Lindberg, robert.g.lindberg@seko.se
Published – 21.Oct.2026
Last application date – 11.Nov.2026