Researcher in Cellular and Molecular Toxicology

Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-03785/2026

We are looking for a researcher in Cellular and Molecular Toxicology for a 1-year position at the School of Medical Sciences.

Subject area

The subject area for this position is Biomedicine.

Background

The researcher will join an interdisciplinary research environment at Örebro University focused on understanding how environmental particles and chemical exposures affect human health. The position is connected to research on particle and chemical toxicology, with emphasis on advanced cell models, mechanistic toxicology, and exposure-induced inflammatory, metabolic, and cellular stress responses.

The research is closely linked to ongoing activities within in vitro toxicology, environmental health, and metabolomics. Particular focus is placed on developing and applying advanced human-relevant models to investigate mechanisms underlying exposure-induced effects in respiratory and immune-related systems.

The successful candidate will contribute to research using advanced 2D and 3D cell models, co-culture systems, immune and respiratory cell models, and air-liquid interface exposure approaches. The position offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative research setting involving expertise in toxicology, molecular biology, immunology, respiratory biology, environmental exposure science, and data analysis.

The project will be carried out in close collaboration with researchers at Örebro University and, where relevant, external academic, clinical, and industry partners. The position will support the continued development of advanced human-relevant approaches for hazard identification, mechanistic understanding, and predictive toxicology.

The position is hosted by the School of Medical Sciences (MV) at Örebro University, which is a modern, expansive university with around 1,600 employees and 17,000 students, and with an outstanding research activity. The project is a teamwork between the research environments the Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC) and Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) research centre at Örebro University. The position will perform research tasks at both campuses and have support by a project group with expertise from the disciplines of the project, as well as a reference group of senior researchers.

Duties and responsibilities

The researcher will be involved in planning, executing, analysing, and disseminating results from research focused on cellular and molecular toxicology. The work will primarily involve experimental studies using advanced in vitro models and molecular methods to investigate cellular responses to particles, chemicals, and other environmental or biomedical stressors.

The duties include:

• Planning and conducting in vitro toxicology studies using human-relevant cell models.
• Working with respiratory, immune, liver, neuronal, or other relevant cellular models.
• Establishing and applying advanced 2D and 3D cell culture systems, including co-culture models and, where relevant, organoid-based approaches.
• Performing exposure studies using air-liquid interface systems and other relevant exposure approaches.
• Investigating inflammatory responses, cellular stress pathways, cytokine secretion, phagocytosis, and related mechanisms of toxicity.
• Applying molecular and cellular biology techniques, including RNA/DNA extraction, qRT-PCR, high-content imaging (Cell Painting), confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry.
• Extracting and preparing cell-based samples for downstream metabolomics analysis.
• Contributing to multi-omics and statistical analyses, including RNA-seq-related workflows and data analysis using R or related tools.
• Supporting sample preparation, exposure characterisation, and experimental protocol development.
• Maintaining cell culture laboratories and contributing to good laboratory organisation and documentation.
• Preparing scientific manuscripts, reports, presentations, and project documentation.
• Participating in collaborative research activities with academic and external partners.
• Contributing to the supervision of master’s and doctoral students where appropriate.
• Contributing to the development of the research environment and to future research applications.

Qualifications

Those qualified for the appointment as a researcher are applicants who have obtained a doctoral degree or have a degree from abroad deemed to correspond to a doctoral degree.

For this position, the doctoral degree should be in cellular and molecular biology, toxicology, biomedicine, immunology, neuroscience, respiratory biology, or another subject area deemed relevant to the position.

The applicant must have documented experience of experimental research using cellular and molecular biology methods. Experience in advanced cell culture and mechanistic studies of cellular stress or inflammatory responses is required.

Assessment criteria

The assessment will be based on the applicant’s documented qualifications and suitability for the position. Particular weight will be given to experience in cellular and molecular biology, in vitro toxicology, advanced cell culture models, and mechanistic studies of cellular stress and inflammatory responses. Experience with respiratory, immune, neuronal, or other human-relevant cellular models will be considered especially relevant for the duties involved.

The applicant should have documented experience in planning, conducting, analysing, and reporting experimental studies using cell-based models. Skills in molecular and cellular techniques, including qRT-PCR, immunostaining, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and cytokine analysis, will be assessed. Experience with particle-induced toxicity, air-liquid interface exposure systems, 2D and 3D cell culture models, co-culture systems, omics analyses, R programming, or other statistical analysis will be considered meritorious.

A general basis for assessment is that the applicant is able to demonstrate the personal qualities required to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities at hand; that they are able to cooperate with other members of staff; and contribute to the development of university operations.

Particular importance will be placed on the applicant’s ability to work independently and responsibly, communicate clearly, organise and document experimental work, collaborate in interdisciplinary research projects, and contribute constructively to a positive and productive research environment.

Good oral and written communication skills in English are required. Experience in scientific writing, dissemination of research findings, supervision of students, and participation in collaborative national or international research projects will be considered advantageous.

Information

This is a fixed-term full-time position for 12 months. At Örebro University, salary depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

For more information about the position, contact Dr. Andi Alijagic, +46 19 30 2342, email: andi.alijagic@oru.se, Dr. Alexander Hedbrant, +46 19 30 2121, email: alexander.hedbrant@oru.se, or Prof. Eva Särndahl, +46 19 3684, email: eva.sarndahl@oru.se. The head of unit is Julia König, 019 30 3645, email: julia.konig@oru.se.

At Örebro University, we expect each member of staff to be open to development and change; take responsibility for their work and performance; demonstrate a keen interest in collaboration and contribute to development; as well as to show respect for others by adopting a constructive and professional approach.

Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterised by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

Application

The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:

• Covering letter, outlining how you believe you can contribute to the continued development of Örebro University
• CV with a relevant description of your overall qualifications and experience
• Account of research qualifications and experience
• Copies of relevant course/degree certificates and references verifying eligibility and criteria met

Only documents written in Swedish, English, Norwegian and Danish can be reviewed.
More information for applicants will be found on our career site: https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/applicants-and-external-experts/

The application deadline is 2026-06-29. We look forward to receiving your application!

As we have already made our choices in terms of external collaboration partners and marketing efforts for this recruitment process, we decline any contact with recruitment agencies and advertisers.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), we are required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.