PhD Student in Neuroscience (100%)

About the job

The Cantonal Hospital Authority (EOC) and

the University of Italian Switzerland (USI)

are looking for candidates for the position of

PhD Student in Neuroscience (100%)

with a focus on sleep medicine

The doctoral project is dedicated to the study of NREM parasomnias in pediatric and adult age. The research activity is situated within clinical and translational neuroscience and integrates advanced methodologies such as high-density EEG, structured clinical assessments, actigraphy, video monitoring supported by artificial intelligence systems, magnetic resonance imaging, genetic analyses, and advanced EEG signal analyses, including closed-loop stimulation protocols.

The main objective is to deepen the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying abnormal behaviors during sleep, particularly NREM parasomnias, with a focus on arousal regulation and the oscillatory dynamics of non-REM sleep.

The doctoral position will be fully funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), within a career Ambizione project awarded to Dr. Anna Castelnovo ( https://data.snf.ch/grants/person/849861 ).

Eligibility requirements:

• Master's degree or equivalent in Medicine, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, or related disciplines
• Excellent knowledge of the Italian language (written and spoken), necessary for clinical and research activities
• Proven scientific writing skills in English
• Solid basic knowledge of statistics applied to biomedical research
• Basic knowledge in sleep medicine or clinical neuroscience
• Willingness to conduct translational research activities in pediatric and adult clinical settings.
• Strong motivation for clinical and translational research in the neuroscience field
• Ability to interact professionally, empathetically, and appropriately with pediatric and adult patients and their families
• Basic knowledge in clinical and quantitative reading of EEG signals (particularly EEG/PSG)
• Willingness to collaborate in the acquisition of neurophysiological data, including overnight studies
• High methodological accuracy, reliability, and attention to data quality
• Ability to work independently, with critical thinking and scientific curiosity
• Excellent teamwork attitude in a multidisciplinary context.

The selected candidate will join an interdisciplinary team addressing the intersection between sleep research, neurophysiology, and neuroscience, with a particular focus on NREM parasomnia sleep disorders.

The activity is expected to start on July 1, 2026.

The employment conditions are those provided by the Cantonal Organic Regulation for personnel employed at the EOC as well as, for the academic part, by the Statute and Regulation of the USI academic staff.

USI and EOC aspire to be exemplary university and employer, aiming to ensure equality in hiring, development, retention, and promotion of staff, without anyone being disadvantaged based on gender, culture, disability, sexual orientation, or identity. As institutions promoting diversity and inclusion, USI encourages applications from women and all persons belonging to underrepresented groups.

Applications, complete with Curriculum Vitae and copies of study and work certificates, must be submitted by April 15, 2026.

Incomplete applications, received through different channels or after the deadline, will not be accepted.

For more information please contact:

PD Dr. med. Anna Castelnovo, MD, PhD, Institute of Clinical Neurosciences of Italian Switzerland

(anna.castelnovo@eoc.ch – Phone: +41 91 811 61 17).