Doctoral researcher in Organoid Intelligence

About Us The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.

The Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) is an interdisciplinary research centre of the University of Luxembourg.

We conduct fundamental and translational research in the field of Systems Biology and Biomedicine – in the lab, in the clinic and in silico. We focus on neurodegenerative processes and are especially interested in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and their contributing factors. The LCSB recruits talented scientists from various disciplines: computer scientists, mathematicians, biologists, chemists, engineers, physicists and clinicians from more than 50 countries currently work at the LCSB. We excel because we are truly interdisciplinary, and together we contribute to science and society.

The Developmental and Cellular Biology Group (led by Prof. Jens Schwamborn) at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine has an opening for a PhD position in the emerging field of organoid intelligence (OI), the use of three-dimensional human brain organoids as a living, adaptive computing substrate. The successful candidate will establish a reservoir computing platform in which a human brain organoid serves as the physical reservoir. Time-dependent inputs are encoded as spatiotemporal patterns of electrical stimulation delivered through a high-density multielectrode array (MEA); the organoid’s nonlinear network dynamics and fading-memory properties transform these inputs into high-dimensional states that a trained readout layer maps onto computational tasks.

Your role

The PhD project will combine organoid generation and long-term maintenance, MEA-based stimulation and recording, and closed-loop training protocols to probe how activity-dependent plasticity in the organoid reshapes functional connectivity during learning. The aim is both to advance OI as a computing paradigm and to use it as a window onto the cellular and network correlates of learning and memory in human neural tissue. The work is highly interdisciplinary, bridging wet-lab neurobiology, electrophysiology and computational analysis.

Your profile

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience, bioengineering, biology, biophysics or a closely related field
• Hands-on experience with multielectrode array (MEA) technology – electrophysiological stimulation and recording, and analysis of extracellular network activity is required
• A solid background in neurobiology, ideally with knowledge of the mechanisms of learning and memor, e.g. synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation, neural network dynamics
• Experience in human stem cell biology and work with organoids, e.g. iPSC culture, neural differentiation, brain organoid generation is a strong asset
• Familiarity with data analysis and scientific programming, e.g. Python or MATLAB, and an interest in concepts from reservoir computing or machine learning, is welcome
• A genuine interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology, engineering and computation, and the ability to work both independently and within a team

Language Requirements:

Applicants must demonstrate at least B2-level proficiency in the language of their thesis. For details and accepted certificates, please visit the Application for admission – Doctoral Candidates.

We offer

• A modern, dynamic university with a personal and inclusive atmosphere. Multilingual and international character. Staff coming from more than 90 countries. Member of The Guild of European Research Intensive Universities
• An exceptional research environment, supported by skilled staff and high-quality equipment. Strong links to professional sectors and the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban campus with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and a wide range of non-academic partners including ministries, local governments, associations, and NGOs

How to apply

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter presenting your motivation for this doctoral thesis topic, and explaining how your qualifications and aspirations align with its academic focus
• Transcript of all modules and results from university-level courses taken
• Names, contact information and current position of 1-2 referees who can, upon request, provide an assessment of the application. Please indicate their relationship to you

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. In line with our values, the University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to upholding equality and respect for our employees and students.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 24 Month
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Belval Campus
• Internal Title: Doctoral Researcher
• Job Reference: UOL08305

The yearly gross salary for every Doctoral researcher at the UL is EUR 43445 (full time).