Karolinska Institutet 
Stockholm, Sweden Offer Summary
Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, seeks a Research Assistant for a part-time position in Psychoneuroimmunology. The role involves investigating how sickness behavior influences immune responses during common colds under controlled laboratory conditions. Duties include study planning, participant recruitment, data collection at an off-site quarantine facility, and basic data analysis. Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, or biomedicine, with documented experience in clinical or experimental human studies. Proficiency in English is required, while Swedish skills and knowledge of the immune system are advantageous. The contract is initially six months, extendable to one year. Applicants submit their CV via Varbi, answering specific questions instead of providing a cover letter.
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Project Description
Do you want to contribute to improving human health?
Join a dynamic and inclusive research group at the forefront of psychoneuroimmunology, where we investigate the interplay between behavior, brain functions, and the immune system. Our interdisciplinary team bridges psychology, neuroscience, and immunology, with strong collaborations across experimental and clinical contexts.
Your mission
Sickness behavior refers to the coordinated set of behavioral changes and subjective experiences that occur during acute infections. In the field of psychoneuroimmunology, it is assumed that sickness behavior supports immune function as part of an adaptive response. Yet, this hypothesis has not been tested in humans. The aim of the current project is to examine how sickness behavior influences immune responses during a common cold, induced under controlled laboratory conditions. The research group leader is Docent Julie Lasselin.
The position is part-time (75%) for a period of six months, with the possibility of extension to one year in total.
Your duties as Research Assistant will include:
- contributing to the planning of the study, including participant recruitment and communication with participants
- coordination of study days
- data collection (under supervision of Julie Lasselin and other responsible researchers, and in collaboration with other team members)
- administration of behavioral tests
- taking care of participants during the study
- daily activities related to the study (e.g. data saving management, handling of blood samples),
- basic data analysis
Data collection will take place at an off-site facility (Tovetorp) where participants remain in quarantine. You will be expected to stay at the study site for several consecutive days during data collection periods.
In addition to the primary project, the research assistant may be involved in other ongoing studies within the research group that require similar research support activities.
Your profile
Eligibility requirements for the position:
- Master’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, biomedicine or another discipline we deem as relevant for the position.
- Documented experience of conducting clinical studies or experimental studies in humans, as well as conducting psychological and/or neurocognitive assessments.
- Documented experience of participants recruitment, interaction with participants, following precise research protocols, and administering psychological and cognitive tests.
- Very good speaking and writing skills in English
- Good ability to plan your time and tasks and to work proactively.
We also attach great importance to personal suitability.
The following is particularly meritorious:
- Good speaking and writing skills in Swedish
- Basic knowledge of the immune system, sickness behavior and psychoneuroimmunology
The following is meritorious:
- Experience in planning complex data collections.
- Experience in handling blood samples.
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. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several good benefits through our collective agreement. And you get to practice freely in our modern wellness facilities, where trained staff are on site.
Location: Solna (and Tovetorp during data collection periods)
Read more about the Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Read more about the research group you will be part of
Application
KI applies individual and differentiated salary setting in accordance with our collective agreements RALS and RALS-T.
The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.In this recruitment, you will apply with your CV without a personal letter. Instead, you will answer some questions about why you are applying for the job in the application form.