PhD student in Medical Science

We are looking for a PhD student in Medical Science

Your work assignments

The project investigates how grief is processed in the brain, how self-related behaviors are affected during periods of grief, and whether the experience of loss changes how individuals view their own mortality. The subprojects will use multiple methods, including qualitative analyses, questionnaires, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and behavioral testing in a large sample of individuals experiencing intense grief at least twelve months after bereavement. In this way, the thesis will create a multimodal and multilevel understanding of grief – an understudied but universal human experience.

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part of. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

Your qualifications

You have graduated at Master’s level in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, or a related field, or completed courses amounting to at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 are at an advanced level within psychology, cognitive neuroscience, or a similar area, or you have otherwise acquired essentially corresponding knowledge.

You are expected to work in a research laboratory focusing on grief, with emphasis on neural and psychological mechanisms. Experience with experimental work, particularly behavioral tasks and fMRI, as well as experience in clinical trials and good clinical practice (GCP), is required. Experience with EEG and TMS is considered a merit, as is prior research experience within the field of grief. Excellent skills in both Swedish and English, spoken and written, are required.

You should be thorough, show strong initiative and organizational ability, and have well-developed communication skills. As the role involves work in an international environment, strong collaboration skills are essential. Given that the work involves contact with research patients in medical studies, an empathetic, calm, and stable disposition is important. Experience in handling confidential information is required. Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

A statement of intent must be included, clearly describing your research interests, proposed project ideas for the doctoral thesis, and how these relate to our ongoing research.

Your workplace

Centrum for social and affective neuroscience (CSAN), Institutionen för Biomedicinska och Kliniska vetenskaper (BKV).

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of four years’ full-time equivalent. You will initially be employed for a period of one year. The employment will subsequently be renewed for periods of maximum duration two years, depending on your progress through the study plan. The employment may be extended up to a maximum of five years, based on the amount of teaching and departmental duties you have carried out. Further extensions can be granted in special circumstances.

Starting date by agreement

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than Mars 16 2026.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.