Doctoral (PhD) student position in Neural Circuits - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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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

The Meletis Laboratory in the Department of Neuroscience is focused on the investigation of the organization and function of circuits and neurons that regulate motivated behaviors and decision-making, including the mechanisms underlying dysfunction in mouse models of stress or mood disorders. The Meletis Laboratory is part of an outstanding scientific environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure and with many opportunities for international collaborations and interdisciplinary training.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The Meletis Laboratory at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm has an open position for a doctoral student to investigate the circuit mechanisms that control motivated behaviors.  The doctoral student will investigate the in vivo role of circuits and genetically-defined neurons types in motivated behaviors (e.g. appetitive, aversive) and define circuit dysfunction in disease-relevant mouse models.

The project will take advantage of advanced methods in systems neuroscience including cell-type specific in vivo imaging (e.g. photometry, miniscopes), cell-type specific manipulation during behavior (e.g. optogenetics), wholebrain circuit tracing, Patch-seq, and mapping of neuron identity using molecular methods (e.g. snRNA-seq and genetic labeling).

The candidate must have excellent training in circuit or systems neuroscience, with the ambition to make significant contributions to our understanding of the organization and function of circuits that control different dimensions of motivated behaviors. The candidate must have excellent communications skills and the ability to work productively in an interdiciplinary team. Fluency in English is a requirement.

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

• Academic profile in neuroscience or related scientific disciplines.
• Excellent analytical and programming skills.
• Experience of animal behavior is an advantage.
• Experience of in vivo imaging or electrophysiology is an advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English The ability to work collaboratively in a team. 

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.

https://ki.se/en/neuro/meletis-laboratory

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