Postdoctoral studies in Cognitive Neuroscience

Postdoctoral studies in Cognitive Neuroscience (bodily awareness / body representation )

The Brain, Body, and Self Laboratory (Group Ehrsson) uses neuroimaging and behavioral methods to investigate how we perceive our bodies as coherent entities, distinct from the external environment and fundamentally tied to the sense of self (www.ehrssonlab.se). Our goal is to elucidate the perceptual rules and neural mechanisms by which the brain integrates signals from various sensory modalities (e.g., vision, touch, proprioception) and perceptual memories to construct a central representation of the body. We also explore how this core body representation influences cognition, emotions, and memory, shaping our self-perception and perception of the external world (embodied cognition), and how it forms the basis for conscious self-awareness. Our laboratory specializes in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), psychophysics, computational modeling, and advanced behavioral approaches, including virtual reality and robotically controlled bodily illusion setups. Our researchers have local access to state-of-the-art imaging facilities, including two 3T MRI scanners, a 7T MRI scanner, and a MEG scanner.

We are seeking a highly talented, innovative, and enthusiastic researcher with a Ph.D. in psychological science, cognitive neuroscience, imaging neuroscience, or a related field awarded within the past two years. The successful candidate will contribute to a project focused on body representation, bodily illusions, multisensory integration, embodied cognition, or processes related to bodily self-awareness, including the sense of body ownership. The ideal candidate should have expertise in experimental psychology or cognitive imaging neuroscience, ideally psychophysics and computational modeling skills and/or proficiency in neuroimaging methods (e.g., multivoxel pattern analysis). Experience with human electrophysiology (EEG, MEG) or brain stimulation techniques (e.g., TMS) is also highly desirable. The candidate will work within the framework of our research program (www.ehrssonlab.se) but will have substantial freedom to develop their own project based on their ideas, aligned with the scholarship program's goals of fostering career development and international experience. The ability to work independently and initiate and lead innovative research projects from conception and design through to the preparation of high-quality article drafts is essential. Applicants must demonstrate an excellent academic track record, including high-quality publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

For more information about the position and how to apply, please visit: https://ki.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:792283/

Deadline: March 17, 2025

Doctoral (PhD) student position in Cognitive Neuroscience (Bodily Awareness)

The research group

The research group led by Prof. Henrik Ehrsson at the Karolinska Institutet has an open 4-year, fully funded PhD position in cognitive neuroscience. Our research focuses on fundamental questions about bodily awareness, such as how we perceive our body as part of ourselves, why we experience a sense of self-location inside our physical bodies, and how we maintain the experience of our bodily self as a unified whole rather than fragmented parts. To explore these questions, we employ a combination of behavioral and neuroimaging methods. Our laboratory specializes in advanced techniques including, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), psychophysics & computational modeling, virtual reality technology, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and electroencephalography (EEG). In addition, we have local access to magnetoencephalography (MEG). For more information about our research, please visit www.neuro.ki.se/ehrsson/.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The candidate will work on a research project investigating the multisensory mechanisms underlying the experience of perceiving an entire body as one's own ('sense of body ownership'), focusing on how various body parts, especially the head, contribute to this fundamental experience. The project employs full-body illusions and advanced functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analyses to explore the brain mechanisms that support the sense of owning an entire body and the specific role of the head in this process.

The candidate is expected to develop into an independent scientist over the four years of the program. They will be encouraged to formulate their own experimental ideas to further develop this novel research project. This doctoral project will provide opportunities for the candidate to contribute to innovative findings within the field.

Skills and personal qualities

The candidate must hold a master's degree (or equivalent) in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, medicine, or medical engineering. They should demonstrate a strong and documented interest in cognitive neuroscience.

We seek a highly motivated, talented, and creative individual who can actively contribute ideas and engage in critical analyses of scientific projects. Proficiency in both oral and written English is essential, as are adequate interpersonal skills, especially since the experiments involve working with human participants.

The candidate should have a proven track record of successful internship projects; if these have resulted in scientific articles (published or in manuscript), it will be considered an advantage. Proficiency in programming is an advantage, and knowledge of Matlab is particularly beneficial. Additional experience in analyzing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, body representation research, psychophysics, or computational modeling is also desirable.

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

Principal Supervisor: Prof. Henrik Ehrsson

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Heather Iriye

Application and further details

Application deadline: 17th January 2025

For more information and details on how to submit an application, please visit: https://kidoktorand.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:775154/

Applications for external postdoc fellowships

If you are interested in joining the group as a post-doc you should contact Henrik Ehrsson at least one year in advance of the planned start date. Please submit your CV, the names of two references, and a short description of why you want to join our group and what kind of project you would like to conduct. There are several possible sources of funding for which you can apply to do post-doctoral research, most of which have deadlines of up to one year in advance of starting the project. See below for some funding possibilities.

Possible sources of personal funding and approximate annual deadlines:

HFSP Long-Term Fellowships, Deadline in August

EU Marie Curie Fellowships, Deadline in August:
International Incoming Fellowships, for applicants from outside the EU
Intra-European Fellowships, for applicants from within the EU

Wennergren Foundation, Deadline early October

Hjärnfonden, Deadline in June (a Swedish PhD is a eligibility criterion)

Additional information:

Applications for Student Internships