More than 2,700 applications for KI's 20 assistant professor positions focused on excellence
Karolinska Institutet's record-breaking international recruitment of 20 assistant professors focused on excellence has been a great success. With over 2,700 applications from 1,560 researchers in 89 countries, the initiative has had an impact that strengthens KI's position as one of Europe's most attractive medical universities.
“We have received a fantastic response, which is a testament to Karolinska Institutet's international impact and the determined and extensive work that our staff throughout the organisation have put in to reach out globally. This success gives us new opportunities to attract the world's leading talents, deepen our collaborations and continue to develop a research and education environment at the absolute forefront,” says KI's President Annika Östman Wernerson about the result.
Great international interest
In total, KI has received 2,731 applications from 1,560 leading young researchers for the advertised positions. All positions have received a large number of applications, one of which attracted a total of 382 applicants. Applications have been received from 89 countries, with the largest applicant pools from the United States and Germany.
The recruitment effort is part of a strategic initiative in which KI is making a major financial investment to give the new researchers a strong start. KI offers its new assistant professors a start-up package of SEK 9-12 million depending on scientific field, over six years.
“The fantastic results of the recruitment show that it has come at the right time. KI has published the call more broadly and, in addition to the salary, has included a larger amount for the research itself than in any of our previous recruitments,” says Marie Arsenian Henriksson, academic vice president for research, professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology (MTC), and member of the Faculty Board that initiated the recruitment together with the university management, deans and heads of department.
She is supported in her analysis by Sten Linnarsson, dean of KI Solna, professor at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, and member of the Faculty Board. He adds another important factor.
“There is no doubt that many talented young scientists who would have applied to the United States in a normal year are now instead looking at Europe. And in medical research, KI is doing very well in Europe,” he says.
KI's departments have formulated the profile and competence requirements of the various positions, and are now responsible for their respective recruitment processes. It is a recruitment model that has already proven to have great advantages for all parties.
Departments at the centre
Marie Arsenian Henriksson notes that MTC is very satisfied with its applicants.
“The level of the applicants are generally high and we have several candidates with impressive CVs and a research focus that suits MTC. My assessment is that the situation is similar at all departments,” she says.
During the autumn, candidates will be interviewed, both digitally and on-site, and the most promising will have the opportunity to present their research and meet future colleagues.
The applicants' qualifications are also reviewed by external experts. The goal is for the positions to be filled during the winter of 2026.
“It's great to see applications from so many different countries. It’s also amazing to see how the positions that have attracted the most applicants span such a wide range of fields, from global public health to cell biology. And it is satisfying to see so many applications from leading international universities,” says Sten Linnarsson.
An investment in the future
The recruitment is not just an investment in new researchers. It is an investment in KI's future as an internationally leading medical university.
“The young scientists that KI is now recruiting will be an important and strong boost that will create ripple effects across the university and form the basis for KI's continued success at the very forefront of research,” says Marie Arsenian Henriksson.
Sten Linnarsson emphasises that KI competes in an international arena for the very best talents in each generation.
“I would like to thank everyone who has applied, and who have proposed such exciting and innovative projects! It's incredibly inspiring to see the great breadth and enormous power of today's young researchers. I understand that it may feel daunting that there were so many applicants for just twenty positions, but I am absolutely convinced that far more than twenty of those who applied have a very bright future as scientists,” concludes Sten Linnarsson.