One or more Postdoc positions at the Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP)

Are you enthusiastic about human pain research? The Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP) at Aalborg University is recruiting one or more postdoctoral researchers, to start 1^st of November 2025 or soon thereafter. Each position is available for a period of 2 years.

Who are we?

CNAP strives to identify and modulate key features of human pain neuroplasticity and understand its relevance for persistent pain in humans.
CNAP is a research Center of Excellence inaugurated in 2015 by the Danish National Research Foundation at Aalborg University, Denmark (www.cnap.hst.aau.dk). CNAP applies a basic research approach where new advanced biomedical provocation and probing platforms are being discovered and applied to study novel aspects of human pain neuroplasticity. The ambition of CNAP is to identify and modulate key features of human pain neuroplasticity through a systematic approach, including provoking, probing and modulation of the dynamic neuroplastic properties of the pain system. We believe that over time, this approach will foster new fundamental discoveries, change the state of the art, and offer novel ways for pain treatment. Our world class lab facilities enable advanced quantitative sensory/pain testing, application of cutting-edge neurophysiological assessments (e.g. EEG, TMS, TMS-EEG, rTMS, HD-tDCS), bio-medical techniques (e.g. linked with epigenetics and general biomarkers), quantitative sensory testing (QST) as well as research based on animal models (e.g. rodents and pigs). 

CNAP is a dynamic and international research environment: approximately 60% of our staff is international, with a close to 50-50% gender balance. Our working language is English. We are highly interdisciplinary and include experts within biomedical engineering, neuropsychology, pharmacology, biophysics, medicine with industrial specialisation, medicine, and more. You will thus be joining an inspiring, enriching, and productive cross-disciplinary research centre including staff with internationally recognised track records. CNAP participates in numerous international initiatives and maintains an extensive global network, making it an ideal environment to build your own collaborative connections.

CNAP is affiliated with the Department of Health Science and Technology at the Faculty of Medicine, which conducts multidisciplinary research and teaching in health science and technology (e.g. medicine and biomedical engineering). The strategic focus of the department is to be a leading force within digital health and to be well-known for medical doctors and engineers collaboratively developing solutions together. The department has more than 250 employees and is responsible for more than 1700 students. 

Working at CNAP

CNAP offers postdoctoral fellowships for exploring neuroplasticity and pain. You will shape our frontline research to identify novel mechanisms and be involved in the dynamics of pain neuroplasticity, and our efforts to advance the understandings of this topic within the academic world and beyond.

Specifically, you will be focusing on the topic of Brain Neuro-Adaptability to Pain, in particular brain oscillations in pain conditions and non-invasive brain stimulation. You will be working alongside PhD students and other postdoctoral researchers as part of our Lundbeck Professorship grant. 
 

As a postdoctoral researcher your tasks are to:

• Embark on the exciting and fundamental research track intended to provide mechanistic information on human brain changes in pain conditions. Your research will help us understand the mechanisms involved when pain becomes chronic.
• Work in a team using electroencephalography (EEG), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), quantitative sensory testing (QST), and psychological profiling to study and modulate the brain activity in clinical and experimental pain conditions
• Conduct a series of studies including individuals with experimental pain or chronic pain and healthy controls, with the aim of linking changes in pain mechanisms and measures of pain neuro-adaptability with changes in cortical manifestations during an intervention (e.g., non-invasive brain stimulation) for symptom reduction. Large-scale data analysis (e.g. machine-learning) will likely be involved. Training will be provided in all methodologies but prior experience with some techniques is an advantage, and experience in human pain research is a prerequisite.
• An opportunity to learn new advanced analysis techniques (e.g., in Matlab, R, or Python) if relevant for the task.
• Write up research results in the form of journal articles.
• Participate in and co-arrange national and international research conferences and be exposed to external research environments, for example, as a visiting researcher.
• Disseminate the results of your research to the public.
• Participate in the day-to-day life of CNAP (e.g., research meetings, Round Table Meetings, seminars, social activities).
• Develop a solid background in pain neuroscience that will allow you to foster a curious and critical sense to analyse and interpret scientific information.
• Further develop competences towards an academic or industrial research career.

We support postdoctoral candidates who have an ambition to conduct frontline research

You will join a research team that comprises a large group of colleagues (PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, associate professors and professors) sharing your primary research interest. This gives ample opportunity for sparring and deep discussions. We strive to foster a friendly and supportive working environment, believing that this is the best way to ensure world class scientific research. 
The postdoctoral fellowship includes:

• A competitive salary, enabling you to enjoy living and working in a growing, exciting, and centrally located European city, Aalborg, Denmark.
• Danish health insurance.
• Travel funds for you to present your work at scientific conferences.
• Computer and other practical office necessities.
• Guidance on re-location to Aalborg, Denmark.

Who are you?

CNAP recruits highly qualified and committed postdoctoral researchers worldwide who demonstrate great research potential. We expect that our teams will serve as first movers in a new generation of researchers capable of exploiting the synergies between different research disciplines and technologies. You will be part of an endeavour to optimise and boost innovation and advance the scientific area of biomedical and neural engineering together with basic and integrative neuroscience within the CNAP research groups. Applicants should be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience within pain research. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team are expected. We imagine that the successful candidate will have a PhD in neuroscience, medicine, biomedical engineering, physiotherapy, physiology, or a related field, and a strong interest in fundamental, mechanistic pain research. As English is our working language, it is necessary that you have a high level of English proficiency (orally and written). Good dissemination skills are important.

Conditions of employment

The postdoc positions are allocated for a period of two years, and salary is in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Academic Organisation.
You will receive access to shared office space and laboratory facilities. CNAP also provides administrative assistance to relocate to Aalborg, Denmark. Please find more information about working at Aalborg University, living in Denmark etc. at the homepage of Aalborg University’s International Staff Unit. 
Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position. 

Deadline

Applications should be submitted online by using the “Apply online” button below. Applications must be received by September 1, 2025, and should contain:

• A motivated text wherein the reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position are stated.
• A current curriculum vitae (e.g. using the EU model). Clearly stating your educational background, experience, techniques, language skills and other skills or experiences relevant for this position.
• Copies of relevant diplomas (MSc/MA and PhD).
• Scientific qualifications. A complete list of publications should be attached with an indication of the works the applicant wishes to be considered as most relevant for the position.
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations, etc.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position (e.g., clinical experience).
• Recommendation letter(s) from a previous mentor or supervisor (Alternatively, provide names and e-mail addresses of 1-2 academic referees that potentially may be contacted).
• Personal data.

Contact

You may obtain further information at CNAPs website, or from the Centre Director and Professor Thomas Graven-Nielsen (tgn@hst.aau.dk). 

Further information 

Read more about our recruitment process here .  

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.  

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.