PhD student, Lundbeck Brain Battle

PhD student, Lundbeck Brain Battle

Are you looking to do an industrial PhD in neuroscience and are you passionate about science and communication? Would you like to sharpen your scientific communication skills? And do you have an interest in neuroscience and drug development? If so, join the Lundbeck Brain Battle to win an industrial PhD based at Lundbeck.

Your new role

Lundbeck is a science-based organization, and our Research and Development activities are central to our commitment to advancing brain health and supporting people impacted by brain disorders. Therefore, Lundbeck is looking for highly motivated MSc candidates to join the Lundbeck Brain Battle. In Brain Battle, you will compete alongside other MSc students to win an industrial PhD based at Lundbeck associated with a Danish University on studies aiming at discovering new treatments for diseases in the central nervous system. The position spans 3 years and is fully funded by Lundbeck.

In 2026, we have several exciting PhD project opportunities using a wide array of methods including in vitro and in vivo techniques as well as omics and bioinformatics in multiple CNS disease areas such as headache disorders and neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. In addition, we also have more technology-focused projects focused around delivering oligonucleotides to the brain. We also offer a project in AI‑based de novo design and optimization of therapeutic antibodies and/or nanobodies, including in silico design and experimental validation. 

As a PhD student at Lundbeck, you will be working closely together with other scientists, students and technicians at the company and the university. The exact tasks will be dependent on the final project, but you will be expected to:

• Independently drive your own research project.
• Present your research results at internal and external meetings.
• Disseminate your results in the form of scientific papers and the final PhD thesis.

What you bring as a PhD student

To participate in Brain Battle you must have the following qualifications:

• MSc student or recent graduate in relevant education – you must be able to start the position no later than December 2026.
• Your MSc degree or thesis must be in the broad field of Neuroscience.
• Genuine interest in Neuroscience and drug development.
• Organizational skills to plan and report on experiments.
• Collaborative and team-playing skills and actively seeking dialogue with your colleagues.
• A positive mindset.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• Able to attend in-person interview, presentation training and finale (4 on-site visits during spring 2026).

Our promise to you  

Lundbeck offers an inspiring workplace and innovative culture, where our curiosity, accountability and adaptability enable us to transform lives. We want to go faster and further on addressing the big unmet needs of people living with brain disorders. We offer rewarding careers with a mix of exciting tasks and development opportunities that are balanced with initiatives focused on your well-being.  

We need every brain in the game, and at Lundbeck, we are committed to building a workforce that is as diverse as the people we serve. Read more about our commitment at www.lundbeck.com/global/about-us/our-commitment/diversity-and-inclusion.  

Apply now

In Brain Battle, you will be evaluated through three steps:

Step 1: Written material describing your motivation to do a PhD at Lundbeck, scientific interests as well as skills and experience (max 1 page) in addition to CV, grade transcript and letters of recommendation

Step 2: Based on this, we will select candidates for interviews to further clarify motivation, scientific interests and skills

Step 3: Three candidates will then be selected for the Brain Battle finale: you will have seven minutes to present your MSc project in an inspiring and creative way to convince the audience that your project is the most exciting. PowerPoint presentations are not allowed, but we encourage the use of props to make your presentation engaging. The focus is on creative and understandable presentation rather than scientific product. You will present to a broad audience consisting of Lundbeck scientists and high school students participating in the annual Drughunters competition. The winner of the PhD position will be announced at the end of the day.

The three candidates entering the Brain Battle finale will receive presentation training by a professional coach prior to the finale.

If you have questions or want to hear more, please visit www.lundbeck.com/brain-battle or contact brainbattle@lundbeck.com.

Applications must be received by January 31, 2026.

Interviews with selected candidates will be held during February and March 2026.

Mandatory presentation training will occur on April 8 and April 15, 2026, from 10AM – 1PM.

The Brain Battle finale takes place on April 23, 2026, as part of the annual Drughunters competition.

Learn more about us at www.lundbeck.com, LinkedIn or Instagram (@h_lundbeck). 

#EveryBrainInTheGame 

This job ad is intended for individuals seeking a career opportunity with Lundbeck. We engage with recruitment and search firms where needed on the basis of a written agreement, and we do not accept unsolicited requests of any kind. If you work as a recruitment consultant, you are kindly instructed to refrain from contacting Lundbeck or the hiring manager directly with suggested candidates. If you violate this policy, you do so at your own risk and for your own account, and Lundbeck will not assume any liability nor pay any associated fees resulting from such violation.