Research Assistant in Systems Neuroscience Neural basis of survival behaviors

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Stagkourakis lab, located in state-of-the-art facilities at the interface of Karolinska Institute and the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) in Stockholm, is recruiting for a research assistant position in experimental neuroscience. The lab is integrated into a leading, highly interdisciplinary, world-class environment i.e., the Department of Neuroscience at Karolinska Institute, and is also part of SciLifeLab, a Swedish national center for large-scale research in molecular biosciences, cutting-edge infrastructure, and expertise in data analytics. The aim of the lab is to contribute to a better understanding of the neural basis of prototypical behaviors, including instinctual and homeostatic behaviors, such as aggression, fear, food, and water intake. Primary experimental techniques utilized in our lab include but are not limited to; in vivo large-scale electrophysiology, miniscope and 2P imaging, AAV-mediated transduction of neural circuits of interest, and animal behavior.

Applicants must submit their applications through Varbi (see the end of the ad for details). For a short overview of the lab and related publications to its research program, see here.

Division

The Department of Neuroscience at Karolinska Institute hosts 35 research groups and teams dealing with different aspects of the function of the nervous system, both under normal conditions and during different diseases:

SciLifeLab is a national resource of unique technologies and expertise available to life scientists, closely intertwined with the community of researchers in areas such as biomedicine, ecology and evolution. Its purpose is to bring scientists together across traditional boundaries and foster collaborations with industry, health care, public research organizations and international partners.

Candidate’s profile.

Research in our lab integrates various approaches, making us open to individuals from diverse backgrounds. A foundation in quantitative fields (e.g., mathematics, engineering, computer science, physics) or prior experience in experimental techniques (e.g., molecular biology, high-channel density silicon probe electrophysiology in vivo or in vitro, advanced animal behavior designs and analysis, miniscope or two-photon imaging) is advantageous. Candidates are expected to demonstrate previous productivity and have prior experience working in a lab.

A combination of at least some of the following skills is essential:

Ability to work with complex experimental setups.
Ability to work independently.
Proficiency in “big” data analysis (using MATLAB or Python).
FELASA B accreditation.

Candidates with demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following domains will be prioritized:

Assembly, maintenance, and use of complex imaging systems.
Combination of behavior experiments with neural recordings using the Inscopix mini endoscope, or 2P imaging.
Ability to explore and analyze large datasets using modern machine learning methods and a data-centered approach.
Previous participation in collaborative projects with computational or experimental researchers.
Familiarity with Arduino, Bonsai, DataJoint, DeepLabCut, keypoint MoSeq or neural data recording platforms.
Use of hardware and (custom) software to interface and synchronize behavioral and neural recording setups.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institute (KI) is one of the world's leading medical universities. At KI, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. Here, you will get to meet researchers working in a wide range of 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. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top-quality education and research.

In the Stagkourakis lab, alongside comprehensive on-the-job training in scientific and technical skills, we mentor lab members in various professional aspects, including writing research proposals and papers, analyzing and presenting data, giving talks, supervising students, and more. The greatest strength of the laboratory is its people, and we are committed to fostering a strong collaborative culture. The research assistant will also benefit from exposure to the vibrant Neuroscience community at KI and will receive support from outstanding technical teams at KI and SciLifeLab on approaches including microscopy, RNA sequencing, bioinformatics, data science, animal husbandry, and animal behavior. They will also be supported administratively and experimentally by staff.

Location: Solna

The Stagkourakis Lab is located at Biomedicum and SciLifeLab, at the Karolinska Institute Solna Campus

Biomedicum, Dept. of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Solnavägen 9, 171 65 Solna
SciLifeLab, Gamma 5, Tomtebodavägen 23, 171 65 Solna

Application

Welcome to apply at the latest 2025-10-07.

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

An application must contain the following documents in English:

- CV that includes your prior academic or industry training, current position, and other academic distinctions.

- A cover letter explaining your interest in working with our group.

- Two or more letters of reference.

This is a fixed-term position for 6 months, with the possiblity to be extended to 1 year.

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