Postdoctoral Researcher in Cognitive neuroscience of aging (ERC funded project)

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher to join a recently ERC-funded project on the neural correlates of cognitive decline, based at the Aging Research Center (ARC) and Turku PET Centre. The project focuses on understanding age-related cognitive decline with particular emphasis on the dopaminergic system and its interaction with the noradrenergic system across the adult lifespan.

The successful candidate will contribute to a unique large-scale multimodal study involving PET imaging (three scans per individual), comprehensive MRI assessments, and an extensive cognitive test battery. This project provides a rare opportunity to work with rich, multimodal data collected from a lifespan sample of adults.

Your mission

The postdoctoral researcher will work under the primary supervision of Dr. Alireza Salami and collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team. Key responsibilities include:

• Participating in the collection of PET, MRI, and cognitive data at different stages of the project
• Developing and refining the cognitive test battery
• Conducting quality control of neuroimaging data and performing statistical analyses
• Interpreting results and contributing to scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Co-supervising junior researchers and assisting in the preparation of grant applications

This is a full-time (100%) position for two years, with the possibility of extension. A portion of the work will be conducted on-site at the Turku PET Centre, depending on project needs.

Your profile

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor, a PhD in a relevant field or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a Swedish PhD is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. Completion of your doctoral degree within the last three years is considered an advantage. If there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.

We are looking for a candidate with:

• Documented experience in PET imaging, especially involving the dopaminergic system
• A background in cognitive neuroscience, ideally with a focus on aging
• Skills in computational modelling and data analysis
• Strong organizational, collaborative, and communication abilities
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Attention to detail and the ability to work independently and as part of a team 

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. At KI, you get to meet researchers working with a wide range of specialisms and methods, giving you ample opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the various scientific fields within medicine and health. It is the crossover collaborations, which have pushed KI to where it is today, at the forefront of global research. Several of the people you meet in healthcare are educated at KI. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top quality education and research. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Solna (ARC), but also at Turku PET center (University of Turku)

Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• PhD certificate
• A complete resumé, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

Welcome to apply at the latest 6th of June 2025.

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

Permanent position is initiated by a six months trial period.

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all!