About the Institution
Karolinska Institutet (KI) is one of the world’s leading medical universities and the home of the Nobel Assembly. This position is located in the Department of Neuroscience and is embedded within SciLifeLab, Sweden’s national center for large-scale biosciences and data-driven life science. This provides a highly collaborative, technically innovative environment at the forefront of European life sciences.
The Project: Neural Basis of Survival Behaviors
This doctoral project at the Stagkourakis Lab sits at the interface of Bioengineering and Systems Neuroscience. The research aims to dissect the brain circuits that orchestrate instinctual and homeostatic behaviors—specifically aggression, fear, and food/water intake—in real time.
At Paper Decoded, we focus on the “why” behind the “how.” Beyond observation, the lab develops and integrates experimental systems to probe and manipulate neural circuits. Key research pillars include:
- Core Question: How do specific neuronal and neurohormonal circuits integrate internal states and external cues to trigger context-appropriate survival behaviors?
- Key Approaches: Large-scale Neuropixels electrophysiology, AAV-based circuit targeting, optogenetic manipulations, and advanced imaging (miniscopes and two-photon microscopy).
Your Profile
The lab is looking for technically-minded researchers who enjoy building and refining the tools they use.
- Education: A Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or a closely related technical/quantitative discipline.
- Technical Skills: Strong analytical skills and an enthusiasm for hardware/software synchronization for neural recordings.
- Programming: Proficiency in Python or MATLAB is highly advantageous for processing high-dimensional neural and behavioral datasets.
- Mindset: A genuine interest in data-driven approaches to brain function and the biology of survival behaviors.
What Karolinska Institutet Offers
- Fully Funded Studentship: A 4-year, full-time paid position with a contractual monthly salary and employee benefits.
- Elite Research Environment: Access to the state-of-the-art facilities at SciLifeLab and KI.
- Structured Training: A formal individual study plan including doctoral courses in research methods, ethics, and scientific communication.
- Well-being Benefits: KI provides a modern gym (free of charge) and reimbursement for medical care—essential for maintaining a healthy research-life balance.
Application Details
- Deadline: 5 April 2026
- Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Requirements: You must demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to English 6/B (Swedish level). Ensure your CV, personal letter, and degree projects are ready for authenticity checks. Applicants must meet both general and specific eligibility criteria for doctoral education at Karolinska Institutet.
Research Paper Decoded: The Quick Take
The Bottom Line: This position is ideal for engineers who want to move from “generic tool-building” to creating the experimental systems that define how we measure brain function. If you want your engineering work to directly shape how the field manipulates neural circuits underlying survival, this is a compelling next step at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions.
Explore more fully funded PhD positions in Europe on Research Paper Decoded.