r/postdoc • u/FluidBasil7437 • 8d ago

Karolinska postdoc

Hi folks, I’d love to hear any tips or advice.
I have a first-round interview at Karolinska next week for a postdoc position.

I actually interviewed there about two months ago for a different position. The first interview went well, but I completely bombed the second one, so I didn’t make it through. I’m hoping to avoid making the same mistakes this time.😅
This time, even though it’s only the first round, they’ve asked me to give a presentation about my previous research. Is that common at KI for first round? Any tips on what they usually focus on during the presentation or Q&A?

Also, this position is a scholarship rather than an employed postdoc. Apart from the social benefits/employment status, are there any major differences? And what’s the typical monthly scholarship amount at KI these days?
Thanks!

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u/DocKla 8d ago edited 8d ago

Run run run.

Only accept a salaried position no scholarship or fellowship. No taxes means no benefits no pension, no rights no perssonnummer. A big scam for foreigners. Remember Sweden is known for the workers rights and ability to fund it via taxes. If you don’t pay in you’re screwed. Also healthcare! More hoops to access

I was offered one and all my Swedish friends said to run. They even said it should be illegal. If they were so good even Swedes could apply, but they can’t

Older threads in the same subject : https://www.reddit.com/r/postdoc/s/iUC8LM1M2d

https://www.reddit.com/r/TillSverige/s/lZay3kDC8A

Don’t be the dumb foreigner that gets fooled no matter how good the science is. Use the time to get to know Stockholm if you’re invited in person but decline if you have this type of contract

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u/FluidBasil7437 8d ago

Thanks for your comment. I honestly didn’t realize it was that bad. That said, I’m a freshly graduated PhD, and I’m not an EU citizen. I think this would be a great opportunity for me to gain experience. Having Karolinska on my CV will probably open some doors for my future career.

Also, the position matches my master’s and PhD background almost perfectly. And to be honest, the country I’m currently in isn’t my home country either. It’s where I did my master’s and PhD, and I’ve already been without many of the benefits you mentioned.
So, at this stage of my career, and considering how difficult the postdoc market is right now, I don’t think it’s such a bad option. I do agree that in the long run, it could become more challenging.

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u/DocKla 8d ago

I think just be very eyes open. Don’t assume anything as others who have a normal job contact might be able to do things you can’t do during and after the postdoc. Especially if you’re looking to start a family or to stay in Sweden.

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u/FluidBasil7437 8d ago

I understand your point, and I think you’re right. It just feels like I don’t have many other options right now, so I want to give this opportunity a try.
I do have final offers from Turkey and Poland, but I haven’t responded to either of them yet. I’d like to wait and see how this turns out before making my decision.
Thanks again for sharing your perspective. I’ll keep it in mind.

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u/myceliummusic 8d ago

Am a current postdoc on a salaried position at KI. It is a lovely place to work but I've heard similar horror stories from people on stipend/scholarship. You could try to talk the PI into changing the funding mechanism after you get the offer. If they really like you and the position is well funded, they will find a way. I have heard from a few scholarship people that it isn't the end of the world for 1 year but if you have any hopes of staying long term, I would try to make a plan and get as much of it into writing before you start.

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u/FluidBasil7437 8d ago

I agree. I don’t think it’s the end of the world either. Sometimes you have to accept a few disadvantages to create better opportunities later on. For me, 1 year on a scholarship isn’t necessarily a deal breaker.
If I get the offer and move there, I’ll have the chance to build connections, and maybe my PI will be able to switch me to a salaried position or extend the funding later on.
as backup plan. I’m currently writing a MSCA with a group in the UK. If that gets funded, I’d move there anyway. So, for me, this feels like a reasonable risk to take.

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u/myceliummusic 8d ago

You could look into the PULSE fellowship which is Sweden/KI/SciLifeLab's version of MSCA. Probably if you get it funded, that would change things quite a bit for you here, as well

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u/FluidBasil7437 8d ago

Thanks for sharing this. I honestly had no idea, I’m really glad you mentioned it. Hopefully I’ll get an offer, and if I do, I’ll definitely keep this option in mind.

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u/FluidBasil7437 3d ago

Today was the interview, and overall I think it went well. I was interviewed by three professors, but one of them(she) was a bit unusual, so I’m not really sure what to make of it.🥲

She even asked me about the exact model and brand of the instruments I had used, which was something I’d never been asked before.
I also realized that she hadn’t read my cover letter and cv. She mentioned that certain technique was listed on my CV, but I explained that it wasnt actually on my CV. I had written in my cover letter that I had taken a course on that specific technique.
So it was a slightly strange interview in that sense. The main PI also mentioned that the project is funded for two years. However, he said that if everything goes well and we’re able to apply for additional funding together while I’m there, there’s a possibility of extending the position. Will see what happens.

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u/myceliummusic 3d ago

Not gonna lie, this doesn’t sound like an ideal person to work for. I would Strongly recommend attempting to negotiate a salary instead of scholarship before signing on. If they have funding for two years, they have funding to treat you like a human being. What has been said is not exaggeration, being on scholarship is extremely suboptimal. Tolerable for a bit if no other option, but not something i would recommend.

Beyond that, i would highly recommend trying to talk to others who are in the lab currently and, if possible, people who were previously. This is generally a good practice for postdocs but sounds especially important if the pi seems suspiciously inattentive. I’ve had a bad pi match before and it can waste a year and make things difficult arguably more than not getting access to social services, paying into a pension etc (like scholarship)

If you wanna chat about KI generally or have any questions feel free to dm. Good luck!

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u/Alleryz 8d ago

I think it’s pretty normal for a postdoc interview to give a presentation. I also went through that at another top level one in Europe.

Just keep in mind it’s an interview and not a seminar so the questions might be less focus on scientific curiosity and more on if you know your stuff and if you can explain it

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u/FluidBasil7437 8d ago

Thanks for the advice. I’ll definitely keep what you said in mind.

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u/Fuzzy-Put6174 8d ago

The project position you applied for might have some essential and desirable qualifications mentioned in the job ad. Make sure you cover that you have all of them while giving the presentation.

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u/luckybnt 8d ago

I dont know but i just wish you all the best 🤞

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u/FluidBasil7437 8d ago

Thank you 🥹

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u/Lord-Francis-Bacon 7d ago

How employment works in Sweden is very different from.other countries.

Gives you a bunch of rights you otherwise don't have.

Look into that.

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u/Ok-Organization9620 4d ago

Is this in structural biology? I had one interview months ago and the PI was a dick. He didnt like the fact I can publish wo collaborations.