PhD in Computational Neuroscience

We are looking for a PhD student in Computational Neuroscience at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience

NTNU is a broad-based university with atechnical-scientific profile and a focusin professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU 9000 employees and 43000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

TheNeuralDynamicsandComputationgroup()ledbyAssociateProfessorSoledadGonzaloCognoisa computational neuroscience group at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience ( Excellence inand again in 2023. Our Centre of Excellence the Center forAlgorithms in the Cortex ( will be funded for 10 years by the Norwegian Research scientific goal of the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience is to identify neural-population mechanisms underlying high-level cognitive functions.

Exactstartuptimesareflexiblealthoughthepositionisexpectedtostartassoonaspossible. Your immediate leader isAssociate Professor Soledad Gonzalo Cogno.

Thesuccessfulcandidatewillcontributetothedevelopmentof mathematical andcomputationalmodelstoenquireaboutthemechanismsthatenableheterogeneousrepresentationsinthe brain. These models will be informed by experimental data. NeuroAI approaches will also be considered. As a reference although this work is not about heterogeneous networks please see our recent preprint.

The candidate is expected to present their results at international conferences and to attend courses and schools on relevant candidateisexpectedtocontributetothescientificenvironmentatthelabandattheKavliInstituteforSystemsNeuroscience. Thecandidate will be required to complete the coursework mandated by the PhD program in neuroscience at NTNU.

• Mastersdegreeinmathematics physics neuroscience or computer science.

  Youreducationmustcorrespondtoafive-year be obtained and documented before starting the position.

• UndergraduatedegreeinPhysics orMathematics.
• Strongmathematicalbackground.
• Codingexperience.
• ExcellentcommunicationskillsinEnglishbothorallyandwritten.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your masters degree study orequivalenteducationwhichisequaltoBorbettercomparedto previous studies you must have an equally good academic foundation.

The appointment is to be made in accordance withNTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

• Experiencewithcomputationalmodelling
• Experiencewithmathematicalmodelling
• Experiencewithanalysesoflargeneuronalpopulations
• Familiaritywithneuroscience
• Priorworkinthefieldofcomputationalneuroscience
• Priorproductivity().

Tocompleteadoctoraldegree(PhD)itisimportantthatyouhave:

• Strongpersonalinitiative ambitionself-motivationandworkethic
• Asolution-orientedattitudeabilitytosolveproblemsindependently
• Theabilitytoworkcollaborativelytoaccomplishcommonresearchgoals
• Theabilitytoworkcollaborativelyinamultidisciplinaryteam
• Willingness to accommodateto theteams research strategy
• Ambitionanddrivetobecomeanindependentresearcher

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

Evaluate and remove/add what is relevant for the position.

• Excellentopportunitiesforscientificandpersonaldevelopmentincollaborationwithskilledco-workers
• Excitingandstimulatingtasksinastronginternationalacademicenvironment
• Careerguidanceandfollow-upduringthePhDperiod
• Openandinclusiveworkingenvironmentwithcommittedcolleagues
• MentorprogrammeasanewemployeeatNTNU
• FavorabletermsasamemberoftheNorwegianPublicServicePensionFund(SPK)
• FreeNorwegianlanguagetrainingatabasiclevel(A2)
• AsaPhDCandidateatNTNUyouwillhaveaccesstoemployeebenefits.

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity is a strength and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the populations collective skills. Our vision isKnowledge for a better worldandour values are creative critical constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting we encourage you to apply regardless of gender functional ability and cultural background or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number ofmeasures to promote equality.

In the position of PhD Candidate code 1017 your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years.

For employment as a PhD Candidate it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme within three months of your employment contract start date and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge technology and services). Candidates who after assessment of the application and attachments are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act will not be able to be employed.

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English. (decide on this - remove if not applicable)

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via . If you are invited to an interview you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include:(decide on what must be included - remove what does not fit):

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelors and Masters degrees
• CV
• Copy of Masters thesis. If you have recently submitted your Masters thesis you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Masters degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Short project outline containing proposals for an overall description of research questions theoretical perspectives methodological design for the project and progress plan (maximum 200 words/1 page)
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• Possibly certificates
• Names and contact information of two relevant referees

If all or parts of your education has been taken abroad we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education both Bachelors and Masters education in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses diploma supplement (normal for most European institutions) you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) please attach this as well.

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position ambitions and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNUs social mission).

A public list of applicants with name age job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance withcurrent legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position please contact Soledad Gonzalo Cogno (assistant professor) email:

If you have any questions about the recruitment process please contact Lisa Yvonne Mele (HR consultant) e-mail:

Application deadline: 11.10.2026

For practical information aboutworking at NTNU please visit this webpage.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural is the tech capital of Norway with a population of Norwegian welfare state including healthcare schools kindergartens and overall equality is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

The Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience is part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at NTNU. It was established as a Centre of Excellence in 2002 and designated as aKavli FoundationInstitute in 2007. The institutes goal is to be world-leading within the field of systems neuroscience and to understand how brain circuits give rise rice to cognition behavior and mental function in the brain. This is achieved by integrating cutting-edge technologies with computational and translational approaches.

The Institutes slogan is: Excellent science happy people happy animals and diversity.

In 2014 the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to two of the Institutes professors Edvard Moser and May-Britt Moser. The Institute is responsible for an international masters programme and is affiliated with a doctoral programme in medicine. Through our widespread network of international collaboration we offer unique career opportunities.