PhD fellowship in System Neuroscience

We are seeking a highly motivated and dynamic PhD student, who is enthusiastic about neural dynamics and sensory processing. The focus of our research is how the combination of sensory signals and internal neural dynamics are integrated to form percepts and drive behavior. We use techniques such as electrophysiology, imaging and optogenetics in behaving mice to investigate the neural circuitries. The laboratory is situated in the city center at the Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen. The work environment is highly international and interdisciplinary with state-of-the-art research facilities. More information can be found on https://in.ku.dk/research/vestergaard-lab/. 

Your job
You will be investigating cortical processing of pain. The experience of pain is complex and highly influenced by other factors than the sensory stimuli. Understanding the neural circuitries involved in pain processing requires a diverse set of approaches. The research will involve utilizing advanced extra-cellular recording probes (Neuropixels) and other recording and manipulation techniques in mice. You will design and conduct experiments that will elucidate neuronal mechanisms involved in pain processing. The tasks will require a broad skill set and creativity. You will work together with other members of the research team, and be involved in data handling, analysis, and dissemination of results besides the experimental work.

Besides the thesis work, you will take PhD courses (approximately 30 ECTS points) and be involved in teaching. You will also have a stay as a visiting scientist at another research group. Group leader Mikkel Vestergaard will be your supervisor.

Your profile 

• Highly motivated and with a passion for neuroscience.
• Master of Science in neuroscience or another quantitative field.
• Experience with in vivo experimental methods in rodents (e.g., surgery, electrophysiology, imaging).
• Experience with data analysis and computational methods.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Terms of employment 
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week. The start date is 1 October 2025 or after agreement. The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years.

The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 30,800 DKK/Roughly 4,100 EUR (April 2025 level) plus pension.

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Please include the following documents (PDF format):

1. Motivated letter of application.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
4. Research statement – research interest and career plans
5. List of publications (if relevant).

Deadline for applications: 6 July 2025, CET 23:59

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

Questions
For further information please contact group leader Mikkel Vestergaard, vestergaard@sund.ku.dk.

General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

International applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility). 

The further process

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You find information about the recruitment process at: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.