career advice-arkiv - Researcher blogs

Building Science, Community, and Creativity: The Journey of Xesús M. Abalo

For many researchers, scientific careers are often imagined as linear paths: a PhD, postdoctoral researcher, an academic position, and eventually leading an independent research group. However, for Xesús M. Abalo, the journey through academia has been far more dynamic, shaped by adaptation, curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to reinvent himself when circumstances changed.

Currently Xesús is a Project Coordinator at the National Genomics Infrastructure (NGI) Stockholm, SciLifeLab and KTH. Previously he has worked as a Principal Investigator in neuroscience research before transitioning into scientific infrastructure and genomics support. Alongside his scientific career, he also serves as President of the Association of Spanish Scientists in Sweden and is a published novelist.

Posted by Hager Saleh

7 October, 2026

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When a Project Becomes a Product: Bridging Research, Business, and Impact

David Kotol is a co-founder and R&D manager at ProteomEdge, a Stockholm-based company that develops new protein standard solutions for mass spectrometry. Still only a few years after completing his PhD, David is merging his scientific know-how with his interest in business to find solutions for the mass spectrometry community.

Posted by libusejanska

17 September, 2026

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From the Lab to Pharmacoepidemiology: A Conversation with Dr. Carolyn Cesta

What does it take to build an academic research career in pharmacoepidemiology? Pharmacoepidemiology is the study of the use, safety, and effectiveness of medication in real-world populations. In this career […]

Posted by Hager Saleh

20 November, 2025

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From Sociology to Systems Change: An Investigator’s Path Inside Sweden’s Higher Education Authority

How do research skills translate outside academia? In this career portrait, Eva-Lisa Palmtag, Investigator/Analyst at the Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ), reflects on her path from sociology research to sector-level analysis, sharing her advice for PhD students considering public sector roles.

Posted by Hager Saleh

4 November, 2025

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Carl Johan Sundberg speaking at an event

Science, Leadership, Innovation and Public Initiatives

Carl Johan Sundbergs positive outlook on life and curiosity about people have been great contributors to his rich career, spanning from medical practice to research, intertwined with entrepreneurship and biotechnology, science communication and governmental projects to improve public health. Here he shares his truly inspiring career path that has led him to the current position as a Dean of Karolinska Institute, Campus North.

Posted by natalievonderlehr

22 October, 2025

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Portrait of Marie Curie [1867 - 1934], Polish chemist, wife of Pierre Curie - Wellcome Collection, United Kingdom - CC BY.

5 steps towards preparing your Marie Curie application

This post is about tips on preparing your Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) application based on my personal experience.

Posted by AlanaPanzenhagen

18 August, 2025

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A Lifelong Curiosity

From an early age, Virginija Danylaité Karrenbauer was drawn to medicine. “Žingeidumas”, “nyfikenhet” she says, using the Lithuanian and Swedish words for curiosity. This innate drive to learn led her from her childhood dream of becoming a doctor to an international career spanning clinical practice, research, and academia. Today, as a senior consultant neurologist and researcher, she continues to push boundaries in the field of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Posted by austejabaleviciute

15 April, 2025

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Black and white image of hand on guitar strings

From Chords to Code

In a life shaped by transitions, the journey of Simon Forsberg to become a senior bioinformatician reveals the power of curiosity and adaptability. Once a classically trained guitarist, he spent years dedicated to music before realizing his calling was within the intricate world of science.

Posted by natalievonderlehr

15 December, 2024

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Your PhD Doesn’t Have to Be a Solo Journey

Did you know that you can take courses together with non-KI scholars as a PhD student at KI? Our university has a long-standing collaboration with an organisation that provides a […]

Posted by Aleksandra Kanina - Public Health Science (Epidemiology)

8 December, 2024

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Climbing the Science Wall

The freedom of being his own boss and managing his own time attracted Carl Johan Hagströmer to continue his research career and pursue a postdoc at Karolinska Institutet. Most importantly he enjoys working with his research group. “Finding a team that you genuinely like is crucial. You can always learn to appreciate a specific project.”

Posted by natalievonderlehr

6 September, 2024

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Academic research – a privilege one should not take for granted

Her postdoc at University of California/San Diego (UCSD) became the foundation for Camilla Svenssons academic career and return to KI. Read more about her career path in this interview by PhD student Janika Welzel.

Posted by natalievonderlehr

28 August, 2024

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Postdoc experience opened the door to Novo Nordisk

This blog post depicts Enrique Toledo´s journey from academia to industry and his rise to his current position as the head of molecular disease of Novo Nordisk in Oxford.

Posted by Joana Menezes

23 May, 2024

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Being nice in science is important

it’s more important to be a supportive co-worker rather than the expert with no emotional intelligence and a big ego

Posted by lucaloveki

Undefined

22 November, 2022

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An Umbrella Academy (Part 1)

The importance of choosing a good supervisor and their constant support in early career stages Umbrellas protect us from the sun, the rain, and the wind. Academic mentoring is somehow […]

Posted by andreacelestedv

22 November, 2022

1 comments

The lighthouse principle

“I’ve never had a detailed plan for my career, but that does not mean that I have been aimless. It is more like a lighthouse – I see where I want to go, and make my decisions to go in the direction of my vision.”
Read more about Nitya Jayaram Lindström’s career and her advice to PhD students and postdocs.

Posted by natalievonderlehr

21 February, 2022

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Not the typical academic

Even though Liisa van Vliet spends most of her time at a lab in Cambridge, sees world-famous scientists passing by almost on every-day basis and is immersed in the all […]

Posted by

15 February, 2022

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Curiosity: Bridging the gap between academia and industry – Career path of Ia Khmaladze

Name: Ia KhmaladzeDid PhD at: Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SwedenCurrent position: Principal Skin Health Scientist, Oriflame Cosmetics AB, SwedenInterviewed and written by: Resti Rudjito Ia Khmaladze, […]

Posted by Guest Blog

Career portraits of KI alumni

14 October, 2020

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When I grow up, I’ll be a… patent attorney

Do you have a knack for technology and love to argue a point? Then a career in patent law might be just the thing for you. In this second career portrait of the series “When I grow up, I’ll be a…”, KI alumna Joanna Applequist tells us what it takes to be a patent attorney, and how she went from lab bench to law books.

Posted by Federica Santoro

Career portraits of KI alumni

27 August, 2018

2 comments

When I grow up, I’ll be a…

‘So what do you want to be when you grow up?’ We were standing inside the elevator, on our way up to the lecture hall where the weekly seminar would […]

Posted by Federica Santoro

Career portraits of KI alumni

1 April, 2017

1 comments

Exploring Careers: Building Bridges in Science

An innate drive to communicate, resonating with oneself, and a genuine joy in talking about science are defining elements that led Helena Ledmyr throughout her career. Breathing both academic and […]

Posted by Yildiz Kelahmetoglu

Career portraits of KI alumni

8 March, 2017

0 comments

Researcher blogs

career advice

When a Project Becomes a Product: Bridging Research, Business, and Impact

From the Lab to Pharmacoepidemiology: A Conversation with Dr. Carolyn Cesta

From Sociology to Systems Change: An Investigator’s Path Inside Sweden’s Higher Education Authority

Science, Leadership, Innovation and Public Initiatives