Research Assistant in Leukemia Microenvironment – Karolinska Institutet, Sweden | Apply by October 17, 2025

Location: Flemingsberg Campus, Stockholm County, Sweden
Institution: Karolinska Institutet (KI)
Position Type: Full-time, Fixed-term (6 months)
Application Deadline: October 17, 2025
Contact Email: hong.qian@ki.se

🌟 About the Role

Are you passionate about advancing leukemia research and contributing to better cancer treatments?
The Hong Qian Research Group at the Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, is inviting applications for a Research Assistant position focused on the leukemia microenvironment.

This is a 6-month, full-time research opportunity that places you in one of the world’s leading biomedical research institutions — offering advanced training, cutting-edge resources, and the chance to work alongside top hematology experts.

🔬 About the Research Group

The Qian Lab investigates how the hematopoietic niche, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), influences the development and treatment of myeloid leukemia.
Their mission is to uncover new niche-based therapeutic targets that can improve leukemia outcomes.

Recent discoveries from the group include:

• Laminin α4 chain (Lama4): Found to inhibit AML progression and relapse (Cai et al., Blood, 2022).
• CXCL14 chemokine: Proven to suppress survival of chronic myeloid leukemia-initiating stem cells (Dolinska, Cai, Månsson et al., Blood 2023).

The team employs advanced technologies such as:

• Multi-color flow cytometry
• Confocal imaging and lineage tracing
• In vivo and in vitro stem cell assays
• RNA sequencing, digital PCR, and single-cell PCR

🧫 Key Responsibilities

As a Research Assistant, you will:

• Conduct cell co-culture, flow cytometry, PCR-based genotyping, and confocal imaging.
• Isolate and culture mesenchymal stem cells.
• Test and optimize reagents and antibodies.
• Analyze experimental data independently or under supervision.
• Collaborate closely with lab members on leukemia microenvironment projects.

Your work will directly support ongoing research to decipher the molecular pathways mediating leukemic stem cell–niche interactions, supervised by Dr. Hong Qian.

🎓 Required Qualifications

Essential:

• Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biomedicine, or Medicine.
• Proven experience in flow cytometry and cell culture (especially MSC co-culture).
• Strong written and spoken English proficiency.
• Excellent organizational and data-recording skills.

Preferred (Merits):

• Experience in leukemia niche research.
• Previous work with mouse models or drug testing.
• Experience in high-throughput or advanced imaging.

💼 Employment Details

🧠 Why Join Karolinska Institutet?

Karolinska Institutet (KI) is one of the world’s top medical universities, home of the Nobel Assembly for Physiology or Medicine.
By joining KI, you gain access to:

• A creative, collaborative, and international research environment.
• Modern laboratory facilities and wellness programs.
• A strong collective agreement with employment benefits.
• Opportunities for career growth in biomedical sciences.

🕓 Application Process

All applications must be submitted via the Varbi Recruitment System.
You will upload your CV (no personal letter required) and answer a few screening questions within the application form.

📅 Deadline: October 17, 2025

For more details, contact:
📧 Prof. Hong Qian – hong.qian@ki.se
📧 Anna Heinerö, HR Partner – anna.heinero@ki.se

🌍 Make a Difference in Global Health

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to leukemia therapy innovation and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in medical science.

👉 Apply today: https://ki.varbi.com/en/what:login/jobID:863126/type:job/apply:1/