If you have a background in bioinformatics, computational biology, or data science and want to contribute to cutting-edge cancer research, here is an opportunity you should not miss. Karolinska Institutet (KI) — one of the world’s most prestigious medical universities — is offering a fully funded PhD position in Bioinformatics focused on Clinical Breast Cancer Proteomics for 2026. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, this position comes with a full salary, excellent research infrastructure, and is part of Sweden’s ambitious national DDLS program.
Applications are open now and the deadline is 13 May 2026. Read everything you need to know below.
🎓 Scholarship / Position Overview
This PhD opportunity is hosted by the Cancer Proteomics Mass Spectrometry research group, led by Professor Janne Lehtiö at Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) — a national research center in technology-driven life sciences in Sweden. The doctoral student will work on bioinformatics analysis of breast cancer clinical cohorts, with a particular focus on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most challenging subtypes to treat.
The position is part of the prestigious SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS), which has been funded with a remarkable 3.3 billion SEK over 12 years by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg (KAW) Foundation. In 2026, the DDLS Research School is expanding with 25 academic and 7 industrial PhD students. Over the full span of the program, more than 260 PhD students and 200 postdocs will be part of this research school.
This is not just a PhD position — it is a chance to be part of a nationally transformative movement in data-driven science.
🎓 Benefits & Funding
This is a fully funded, salaried PhD position in Sweden. Here is what you receive:
- ✅ Full monthly salary (doctoral studentship contract — standard KI employment)
- ✅ Full-time employment for up to 4 years
- ✅ Access to a free modern gym on campus
- ✅ Reimbursements for medical care
- ✅ Individual research project with a dedicated, experienced supervisor
- ✅ Access to a vast range of elective graduate courses
- ✅ Opportunity to work with leading researchers at SciLifeLab and KI
- ✅ Opportunities for international academic exchanges through KI’s global university partnerships
- ✅ Access to national and international research networks through the DDLS Research School
Unlike many PhD programs elsewhere, Swedish doctoral positions are treated as employment, meaning you receive a proper contract and salary — not just a stipend. This makes it a genuinely attractive option for international students seeking financial security during their doctorate.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this PhD position at Karolinska Institutet, candidates must fulfill both general and specific eligibility requirements:
General Eligibility (one of the following):
- A completed Master’s degree (second-cycle/advanced qualification), OR
- At least 240 ECTS credits of higher education, with at least 60 credits at the Master’s level, OR
- Substantially equivalent knowledge acquired through other means in Sweden or abroad
Specific Eligibility:
- Demonstrated English proficiency equivalent to English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school level (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent accepted)
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Master of Science in bioinformatics, biology, medicine, computer science, mathematical statistics, or a related field
- Documented education and hands-on experience in bioinformatics data analysis
- Programming skills in Python and/or R (or equivalent languages)
- Strong knowledge of statistical methods
- Understanding of cell and molecular biology
- Fluent in written and spoken English
Additional Advantages (not mandatory but valued):
- Experience with high-throughput omics data such as MS-based proteomics or next-generation sequencing (NGS)
- Background in systems biology, large-scale data integration, or visualization
- Knowledge of breast cancer biology or translational cancer research
- Experience with mass spectrometry-based proteomics workflows
🎓 Who Should Apply
✅ You should apply if you:
- Hold a relevant Master’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field
- Have hands-on experience with Python, R, or similar programming tools
- Are genuinely curious about cancer biology and data-driven medicine
- Want to work in a collaborative, internationally diverse research team
- Are comfortable working with large-scale biological datasets
- Want a fully salaried PhD position in one of Europe’s most innovative research environments
❌ This position may not be for you if you:
- Do not have a Master’s level qualification or equivalent
- Lack any experience with bioinformatics or biological data analysis
- Are unable to demonstrate English proficiency
🎓 Available Programs / Research Focus
This position falls under the DDLS Research School’s strategic research area of “Precision Medicine and Diagnostics.”
The doctoral project specifically involves:
- Integrative and translational multi-omics data analysis from breast cancer clinical cohorts
- Special emphasis on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) — a subtype with limited treatment options
- Both applying established computational pipelines and developing new analytical strategies
- Analysis of quantitative biological data and validation using publicly available datasets
- Contributing to the discovery of cancer biomarkers with potential therapeutic applications
- Collaboration across disciplines: biology, medicine, computer science, and engineering
🎓 Required Documents
To submit a complete application through the Varbi recruitment portal, prepare the following:
- ✅ Personal letter (motivation letter) and curriculum vitae (CV)
- ✅ Degree projects and previous publications (if any)
- ✅ Any documentation demonstrating relevant skills and personal qualities
- ✅ Documents certifying general eligibility (degree certificates, transcripts)
- ✅ Documents certifying specific eligibility (English proficiency certificate)
📌 Karolinska Institutet verifies the authenticity of all submitted documents. Submission of false or fraudulent documents is a violation of Swedish law and will result in immediate disqualification.
🎓 Application Process
- Prepare your documents — CV, personal letter, transcripts, English proficiency proof, and any publications
- Visit the official application portal at Varbi/KI Doktorand
- Create or log into your Varbi account
- Upload all required documents and submit your application before the deadline
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews
- All applicants will be informed once the recruitment process is completed
📧 For academic questions, contact:
- Henrik Johansson — henrik.johansson@ki.se
- Professor Janne Lehtiö — janne.lehtio@ki.se
- Helena Bäckvall — helena.backvall@ki.se
🎓 Important Dates
| Detail | Date |
| Position Published | 31 March 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 13 May 2026 |
| Start Date | As per agreement |
| Duration | Up to 4 years (full-time) |
⚠️ Do not wait until the last day — applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the competition is high.
🎓 Why Apply to Karolinska Institutet?
Karolinska Institutet is one of the best medical universities in the world — consistently ranked among the top 10 globally in medical research. Here is why this opportunity is exceptional:
- KI awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine each year — a testament to its world-class research reputation
- SciLifeLab is a world-leading national research infrastructure giving you access to state-of-the-art technology
- Sweden ranks among the top countries in the world for quality of life, safety, and work-life balance
- Stockholm is a global innovation hub with a thriving life sciences ecosystem
- The DDLS program connects you to a national network of over 260 PhD students and 200 postdocs
- Swedish PhD positions offer full employment contracts — not just scholarships — giving you stability, benefits, and worker rights
- Karolinska Institutet has partnerships with leading universities worldwide, opening doors for international collaborations and exchanges
For more fully funded PhD opportunities in Europe, check out our guide: Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in the UK 2026 for International Students
You can also explore more opportunities on our Scholarships Category Page.
🎓 Official Source
Apply directly through the official Karolinska Institutet doctoral recruitment portal:
🔗 Official Application Link: https://kidoktorand.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:919938/ 🔗 Karolinska Institutet: https://ki.se 🔗 SciLifeLab DDLS Research School: https://www.scilifelab.se/data-driven/ddls-research-school/
🎓 Position Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Institution | Karolinska Institutet (KI) |
| Location | Stockholm, Sweden 🇸🇪 |
| Position | PhD in Bioinformatics |
| Research Focus | Breast Cancer Proteomics (TNBC) |
| Program | DDLS Research School, SciLifeLab |
| Funding | Fully Funded (Salaried Employment) |
| Duration | Up to 4 Years |
| Contract | Full-time (100%) |
| Salary | Monthly salary (doctoral studentship) |
| Health & Gym | Included |
| English Required | Yes (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent) |
| Application Deadline | 13 May 2026 |
| Reference Number | STÖD 2-1349/2026 |
| Official Portal | Varbi / KI Doktorand |
