Postdoctoral Student in Neuroscience

Royal Institute of Technology

Reference Number: PA-2025-2653
Institution: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Type of Employment: Temporary, Full-time (100%)
Application Deadline: October 24, 2025
Published: September 4, 2025
Contact: Associate Professor Pawel Herman – paherman@kth.se

Project Description

Third-cycle subject: Computer Science

This position offers a unique opportunity to leverage the synergy between experimental and computational approaches to fundamental questions about human cognitive capabilities. The successful applicant will benefit from the interdisciplinary collaboration between the Computational Brain Science Lab at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and the International Research Centre for Neurointelligence, University of Tokyo.

Project Goal:

  • Develop mathematical models of the brain for large-scale simulations of cortical memory function

  • Study neural interactions between different cortical regions supporting cognitive function

  • Build and simulate neural network models, interpret findings, and evaluate model compatibility with heterogeneous experimental data

  • Write scientific papers in English

  • Up to one year at the International Research Centre for Neurointelligence, University of Tokyo

Supervisor: Assistant Professor Pawel Herman

What We Offer

  • Dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities worldwide

  • Monthly salary according to KTH’s doctoral student salary agreement

  • Postgraduate education at an institution supporting gender equality, diversity, and study environment

  • Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and water

  • Guidance on relocating and settling in at KTH and Sweden

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the basic eligibility criteria of postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance):

  • Completed a second-cycle degree (e.g., Master’s) or equivalent

  • Completed at least 240 higher education credits, including 60 second-cycle credits

  • Substantially equivalent knowledge acquired within or outside Sweden

Preferred fields: Computer science, engineering physics/math, cognitive science, or related areas

Language requirement: English equivalent to English B/6

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be assessed based on:

  • Ability to work independently and persevere in research

  • Collaboration and professional approach

  • Analytical skills and ability to work with complex issues

  • Interest in brain cognitive function is highly valued

  • Competence in computational biology is desirable

  • Previous experience with neural network-based brain models (spiking or non-spiking) is advantageous

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Target Degree: Doctoral degree

Admission and Employment Information

  • Only admitted postgraduate students may be employed as doctoral students

  • Maximum total length of employment corresponds to four years of full-time doctoral education

  • Employment may include up to 20% departmental duties (training, administration)

  • Initial appointment: maximum one year, renewable for up to two years

  • Licentiate studies: maximum employment corresponds to two years full-time doctoral education

Union Representatives

Contact information for union representatives and the Doctoral section (Students’ union at KTH Royal Institute of Technology) is available through KTH.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

  1. CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge

  2. Application letter (max 2 pages) describing research interests, academic background, and goals

  3. Copies of diplomas, grades, and language certificates (translated into English or Swedish if required, copies certified)

  4. Representative publications or technical reports (summary or abstract and web link for longer documents)

Applications must be submitted via KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completeness. Applications are due by midnight CET/CEST on the closing date.

Other Information

  • KTH promotes gender equality, diversity, and equal conditions

  • Security-sensitive roles may require clearance under the Protective Security Act (2018:585)

  • Contact from staffing agencies or job ad salespersons is not accepted

  • In case of discrepancy between Swedish and English versions, the Swedish version prevails

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm is one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, with a global reputation for research and education. Research areas include natural sciences, engineering, architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history, and philosophy.

Salary: Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement

Number of positions: 1

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