Doctoral (PhD) student position in Neuroscience and AI

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.

The research group

Daniel Lundqvist's research group focuses on how the structure, function and neurochemistry of the human brain shape the functioning of the human mind: our consciousness, our perception, our decisions and actions. Much of the research currently focuses on how different brain imaging methods (mainly MEG, EEG and MRI) can be used to elucidate and characterize ongoing neuronal brain activity. The group contributes to an improved understanding of the human brain, through various, and to advancing the ecosystem of imaging techniques and the development of AI solutions at Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital and in Europe.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The main goal for the PhD student is to explore the potential and capacity of self-supervised learning methods for training multimodal basic models in brain imaging. In practice, this work focuses on identifying and evaluating opportunities for how large datasets of clinical data can be used to more effectively create self-supervised multimodal machine learning models that can improve the quality and latency of diagnostic methods used in clinical neuroscience and brain imaging. This topic is explored by introducing and evaluating several new approaches to building multimodal foundational models that may support and/or replace human involvement in data curation and management.

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.

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:

1. have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree), or
2. 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
3. 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

• It is a requirement that the candidate has documented experience in programming and in developing of AI/ML models.
• It is a merit if the candidate have experience in the application of AI/ML models to clinical data, preferably related to neurophysiology/neurology.
• It is a merit if the candidate have completed a medical degree or have other documented relevant clinical experience.
• The candidate is expected to be able to work independently, but you will also be part of and work with a multifaceted team and need to be able to be responsive and actively contribute to the group's joint work.
• The candidate will have regular contact with local, national and international partners, which is why it is important that you are fluent in English and Swedish, both written and oral, and have good social skills.
• We expect the candidate to be a curious, meticulous, flexible and motivated person who wants to contribute to a stimulating research environment.

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

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)

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.

Read more about the Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Read more about the research group you will be a part of

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all!