PhD Position in Developmental Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research Karolinska Institutet in Sweden

PhD opportunity at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden in developmental neurobiology, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine.

The Johan Ericson research group at Karolinska Institutet is recruiting a doctoral student for a project focused on how neuronal identity is specified during development and how this knowledge can be used to improve differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into clinically relevant neuronal subtypes. The work combines basic developmental biology with translational neuroscience and stem cell-based therapy research.

The project emphasizes the generation and characterization of defined neuronal populations, with particular attention to dopaminergic and oculomotor neurons in the midbrain. The student will investigate signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms controlling neuronal specification and differentiation, characterize stem cell-derived progenitors and neurons, and contribute to studies evaluating cell properties and function. A component of the project also involves preclinical evaluation of dopaminergic progenitor cells and dopamine neurons in animal models relevant to neurodegenerative disease.

The research environment is multidisciplinary and includes developmental neurobiology, human stem cell biology, molecular and cellular biology, advanced imaging, cell characterization, and translational neuroscience. The group has established methods for deriving clinically relevant neuronal subtypes from human pluripotent stem cells, including midbrain dopaminergic neurons, serotonergic neurons, and motor neurons.

Co-supervision is provided by Professor Eva Hedlund at Stockholm University, bringing additional expertise in motor neuron development, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease.

Eligibility highlights: a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, neurochemistry, biomedicine, or biotechnology; general doctoral eligibility at Karolinska Institutet; and English proficiency equivalent to English B/English 6. Prior laboratory experience is important, and experience with human pluripotent stem cells, neuronal differentiation, microscopy, qPCR, and image analysis is considered an advantage.

Funding: doctoral studentship with a contractual salary for up to 4 years full-time.

How to apply: submit your application via the Varbi recruitment system with a cover letter, CV, degree projects/publications, and documents proving eligibility. Applications are accepted in English or Swedish. Deadline: 15 November 2026.