Doctoral (PhD) student position in Clinical Neuroscience

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

As part of the Multimodal Brain Imaging research group at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience you will find a unique opportunity to work with top researchers in brain imaging. The group focuses on how the structure, function and neurochemistry of the human brain shape the functioning of the human mind: our consciousness, perception, decisions and actions. The group has long experience developing and evaluating novel brain imaging technologies and is closely related to the National Facility for Magnetoencephalography (NatMEG) where part of the project will take place. NatMEG houses the only whole-head MEG system in Sweden and one of the largest OPM-MEG systems in the world.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The project is a collaboration with the Quantum and Nanophysics group at KTH with the aim of combining two next-generation sensor technologies for non-invasively measuring brain activity: superconducting nanowire-single photon detectors (SN-SPDs) and optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs). This will allow us to obtain simultaneous information about neuronal firing and hemodynamics with highest precision. The goal of the project is to develop a system and analysis pipeline that can improve presurgical evaluation of epilepsy patients.

As a doctoral student in this project, you task will be to design experimental protocols, plan and conduct SN-SPD/OPM-MEG measurements in healthy volunteers and epilepsy patients, analyse the data and disseminate the results in peer-reviewed papers as well as presentations at international conferences.

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

As a successful candidate you must have:

• Background in a relevant field such as neuroscience, psychology, engineering, computer science or physics
• Previous experience coding or scripting
• Proficiency in written and spoken English

Advantageous:

• Previous research experience using human participants (especially behavioural or brain imaging methods)
• Previous experience programming with Python and/or MATLAB
• Previous documented experience or deeper knowledge in each of the following fields:
  • Signal processing
  • Neuroscience
  • Electrophysiology
  • Epilepsy
• Previous documented experience or knowledge in each of the following areas:
  • (f)NIRS,
  • (f)MRI,
  • EEG,
  • MEG or similar

We put great importance on personal qualities in this recruitment. As a person, you are curious, highly motivated and persistent. You demonstrate a degree of independence and problem-solving skills. You are collaborative and have good communication skills.

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 NatMEG

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