Postdoctoral Position in Experimental Systems Neuroscience – Stagkourakis Lab, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

Summary

The Stagkourakis Lab at Karolinska Institutet and SciLifeLab is seeking a highly independent postdoctoral researcher to join an ambitious systems neuroscience team. The position focuses on investigating the neural control of survival and homeostatic behaviors (including aggression, fear, and feeding) using large-scale neural recordings, advanced imaging, causal perturbations, and quantitative analysis in freely moving mice.

Postdoctoral Position in Experimental Systems Neuroscience – Stagkourakis Lab, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

Designation

Postdoctoral Researcher / Scholar

Key Details Table

Research Area

Neural control of survival and homeostatic behaviors using large-scale in vivo electrophysiology, imaging, and quantitative analysis in mice.

• Field: Experimental Systems Neuroscience
• Core Focus: Neural control of survival and homeostatic behaviors, neural population dynamics, and causal control of behavior in vivo.

Location

Solna, Sweden (SciLifeLab / Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet)

Eligibility / Qualifications

Academic & Scholarship Requirements:

• Degree: Must hold a doctorate (PhD) or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed their degree by the deadline may apply provided all requirements are completed before the intended start date.
• Residency / Foreign Status: Established specifically for foreign researchers. Persons who reside in Sweden or have completed all or part of their academic education at Karolinska Institutet or another Swedish educational institution are not eligible.
• Tenure Window: Granted for a maximum of two years within a four-year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree.

Technical Expertise (Required):

• Hands-on experience in stereotaxic surgery in mice (viral injections and/or implantations) combined with neural recording or imaging.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in at least one of the following core domains, with strong familiarity with the others:
  • Large-scale in vivo electrophysiology (preferably Neuropixels or high-channel silicon probes).
  • In vivo imaging (miniscope and/or two-photon microscopy).
  • RNA sequencing or spatial transcriptomics.

Job Description

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct high-level, independent experimental systems neuroscience research.
• Assemble, maintain, and utilize complex experimental systems (including Neuropixels, miniscopes, or SLM-enabled 2P optical holography setups).
• Analyze large datasets (“big data”) using MATLAB, Python, modern machine learning methods, and data-centered approaches.
• Interface hardware and custom software (e.g., Arduino, Bonsai, DataJoint) to synchronize behavioral paradigms with neural recording setups.
• Participate in collaborative research projects and mentor/supervise students.

What is Offered:

• Purpose-built infrastructure with world-class facilities at Karolinska Institutet and SciLifeLab.
• Direct hands-on mentorship in experimental design, technical execution, data analysis, scientific writing, and grant development.
• Free access to modern campus gym facilities with on-site staff.
• A supportive, international scientific community.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted in English through the Varbi Recruitment System. Applications are considered on a rolling basis.

Required Application Documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Including date of thesis defense, thesis title, previous academic positions, current position, distinctions, and committee work.
2. Publication List: Full list of scientific publications.
3. Cover Letter: Stating your interest and motivation to work in the Stagkourakis Lab.
4. Summary of Current Work: No more than 1 page.
5. Letters of Reference: Two or more reference letters.

Last Date to Apply

September 30, 2026

Link