Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?
To be a doctoral student means to devote oneself to a research project under supervision of experienced researchers and following an individual study plan. For a doctoral degree, the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education is required.
Are you passionate about understanding how neural circuits generate behavior?
The Stagkourakis Lab at Karolinska Institutet and SciLifeLab in Stockholm is recruiting up to two PhD students in bioengineering. We are based at the Department of Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet and are part of SciLifeLab, Sweden’s national center for large-scale biosciences and data-driven life science. Our mission is to uncover the neural and neurohormonal mechanisms underlying instinctual and homeostatic behaviors, including aggression, fear, food, and water intake.
We seek a candidate who will contribute to the development and integration of advanced experimental systems for large-scale in vivo recordings, closed-loop behavioral assays, and optogenetic manipulations.
The research group
Our research combines in vivo large-scale electrophysiology (Neuropixels), AAV-based circuit targeting, behavior, and imaging approaches such as miniscope and two-photon microscopy. We maintain a strong commitment to technical innovation, behavioral rigor and data stewardship.
The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
We are looking for a motivated Biomedical Engineer (or related background) with strong technical and analytical skills, eager to work at the interface between engineering and neuroscience. The ideal candidate is excited by building and optimizing experimental systems that enable new types of neural measurements, from sensor design and hardware synchronization to real-time behavioral feedback and neural signal decoding.
What do we offer?
A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. 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. As a doctoral student you are offered an individual research project, a well-educated supervisor, a vast range of elective courses and the opportunity to work in a leading research group. Karolinska Institutet collaborates with prominent universities from all around the world, which ensures opportunities for international exchanges. You will be employed on a doctoral studentship which means that you receive a contractual salary. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.
- A creative, collaborative, and well-resourced environment.
- Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure at Karolinska and SciLifeLab.
- Training in experimental neuroscience and professional development (writing, presenting, mentoring).
- Active involvement in cutting-edge projects with translational relevance to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Eligibility requirements for doctoral education
In order to participate in the selection for a doctoral position, you must meet the following general (A) and specific (B) eligibility requirements at latest by the application deadline.
It is your responsibility to certify eligibility by following the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.
A) General eligibility requirement You meet the general eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:
- have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree), or
- have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the advanced/second-cycle/master level, or
- have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.*
Follow the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.
*If you claim equivalent knowledge, follow the instructions on the web page Assessing equivalent knowledge for general eligibility for doctoral education.
B) Specific eligibility requirement
You meet the specific eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:
- Show proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school.
Follow the instructions on the web page English language requirements for doctoral education.
Verification of your documents Karolinska Institutet checks the authenticity of your documents. Karolinska Institutet reserves the right to revoke admission if supporting documents are discovered to be fraudulent. Submission of false documents is a violation of Swedish law and is considered grounds for legal action.
(A) and (B) can only be certified by the documentation requirement for doctoral education.
Skills and personal qualities
Required qualifications
- Degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience in hardware development or signal acquisition systems (e.g., EEG, electrophysiology, or other biosensors).
- Strong programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or C/C++) for data analysis, signal processing, or control systems.
- Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.
Desirable skills (one or more of the following):
- Design and implementation of data acquisition and synchronization systems (LabVIEW, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar).
- Experience with neural signal processing, machine learning, or brain–computer interface (BCI) applications.
- Familiarity with 3D modeling and fabrication (SolidWorks, Fusion360, or 3D printing).
- Experience integrating hardware and software for behavioral tracking or closed-loop control (DeepLabCut, Bonsai, Unreal Engine, etc.).
- Basic experience with rodent handling or FELASA Function A/B certification.
- Patch-clamp electrophysiology.
Terms and conditions
The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.
Location
The lab is located at:
- Biomedicum D8, Dept. of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, Solna.
- SciLifeLab Gamma 5, Tomtebodavägen 23A, Solna.
Application process
Submit your application and supporting documents through the Varbi recruitment system. Use the button in the top right corner and follow the instructions. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish.
Your application must contain the following documents:
- A personal letter and a curriculum vitae
- Degree projects and previous publications, if any
- Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above
- Documents certifying your general eligibility (see A above)
- Documents certifying your specific eligibility (see B above)
We strongly encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible.
Selection
A selection will be made among eligible applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.
Karolinska Institutet uses the following bases of assessment:
- Documented subject knowledge of relevance to the area of research
- Analytical skill
- Other documented knowledge or experience that may be relevant to doctoral studies in the subject.
All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.
For a brief overview of the lab and our research, see here.
Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all
Type of employment: PhD placement
Contract type: Full time
First day of employment: Flexible in 2026.
Salary: Månadslön
Number of positions: 1
Full-time equivalent: 100
City: Stockholm
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: STÖD 2-4605/2025
Union representative:
- Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
- Björn Meister, SACO, bjorn.meister@ki.se
- Magnus Anå, ST-OFR, Magnus.ana@ki.se
Published: 2025-11-27
Last application date: 2026-04-05