Fully Funded PhD in Bioengineering & Neuroscience – Neural Basis of Survival Behaviors at Karolinska Institutet Karolinska Institutet in Sweden

Karolinska Institutet, one of the world’s leading medical universities and home of the Nobel Assembly, is offering a fully funded PhD position in Bioengineering & Neuroscience at its Department of Neuroscience in Stockholm, Sweden. The position is based in the Stagkourakis Lab, in collaboration with SciLifeLab, Sweden’s national center for large-scale biosciences and data-driven life science. This environment provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and a highly collaborative, innovative research community at the forefront of European life sciences.

The doctoral project focuses on the neural basis of survival behaviors, aiming to dissect the brain circuits that orchestrate instinctual and homeostatic behaviors such as aggression, fear, and food/water intake in real time. The research integrates advanced experimental systems, including large-scale Neuropixels electrophysiology, AAV-based circuit targeting, optogenetic manipulations, and advanced imaging techniques like miniscopes and two-photon microscopy. The core question is how specific neuronal and neurohormonal circuits integrate internal states and external cues to trigger context-appropriate survival behaviors.

The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or a closely related technical or quantitative discipline, strong analytical skills, and enthusiasm for hardware/software synchronization for neural recordings. Proficiency in Python or MATLAB is highly advantageous for processing high-dimensional neural and behavioral datasets. Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to English 6/B (Swedish level) and meet both general and specific eligibility criteria for doctoral education at Karolinska Institutet. Required application materials include a CV, personal letter, and degree projects for authenticity checks.

This is a fully funded 4-year, full-time PhD position with a contractual monthly salary and employee benefits. The studentship includes structured doctoral training, access to a modern gym (free of charge), and reimbursement for medical care. The research environment is elite, offering opportunities to develop and refine experimental tools that directly shape how the field manipulates neural circuits underlying survival behaviors.

The application deadline is April 5, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the official application link provided in the announcement.