Frontier Research Competences for Neuro-modulation (FRESCO4NoPain)

FRESCO4NoPain is an EU-funded Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action, Doctoral Network that will provide world-class interdisciplinary training to 17 Doctoral Candidates in the area of non-pharmacological chronic pain treatment based on the pain-related brain oscillations and neuromodulation. Do you want to be a part of the FRESCO4NoPain project? Apply now for one of the 17 available Ph.D. positions.

Chronic pain, a widespread condition affecting one in five adults across Europe, represents a major societal and economic burden. Despite its prevalence, effective treatments remain limited, highlighting a critical need for non-pharmacological therapies that target the underlying mechanisms of pain. In response, the FRESCO4NoPain project is pioneering research into the potential of non-invasive brain neuromodulation as a novel treatment strategy for persistent pain.

The project’s central hypothesis is that maladaptive brain oscillatory activity plays a key role in the development and persistence of chronic pain. FRESCO4NoPain aims to offer a new therapeutic approach that could significantly improve the quality of life for millions of individuals affected by pain.

To bring this vision to life, FRESCO4NoPain will bring together leading experts in pain neuroscience, training 17 early-career researchers i.e. Doctoral Candidates, (DCs) who will drive forward this innovative field. The DCs will be part of a unique, network-wide training program focused on cutting-edge research in non-invasive brain stimulation for persistent pain.

The research will focus on three core areas:

Preclinical Studies: Brain circuitries, oscillations, and neuromodulation in pain.
Human Experimental Studies: Human mechanisms of brain oscillations and neuromodulation in pain.
Clinical Studies: Brain oscillations and neuromodulation in people with chronic pain.

FRESCO4NoPain offers DCs the opportunity to engage in a broad array of basic, experimental, and clinical research, supported by strong collaborations across both academic and non-academic sectors, ensuring that the research remains patient-focused and application-driven.

Through this comprehensive approach, FRESCO4NoPain will provide the next generation of pain scientists with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to push the boundaries of current treatments.

FRESCO4NoPain Beneficiaries

Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (AAU)
Prof. Thomas Graven-Nielsen and Dr. Daniel Ciampi de Andrade
Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience (CNRS)
Dr. Ipek Yalcin
Department: Ambroise Pare Hospital (INSERM)
Dr. Didier Bouhassira and Prof. Nadine Attal
PainLabMunich (TUM)
Prof. Markus Ploner
Institute of Neuroscience (UCL)
Prof. André Mouraux and Dr. Giulia Liberati
Department of Molecular Pharmacology (UKHD)
Prof. Rohini Kuner
School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience (UoB)
Prof. Anthony Pickering

11 Non-academic partners

Provide our doctoral candidates with industry exposure, practical training, and career development opportunities beyond academia. Contributes to FRESCO4NoPain by offering real-world applications, hosting secondments, facilitating knowledge transfer, and supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and policy impact.

17 Doctoral Candidates

Early-stage researcher who will be recruited to pursue a PhD within a structured, international, and interdisciplinary research network. These candidates benefit from excellent training, international mobility, and collaboration opportunities across academia and industry. They will be the future generation of pain scientists to address the unmet challenges within chronic pain.

7 Academic Partners

Consists of world-leading experts in pain neuroscience who will provide training and academic supervision to our doctoral candidates. Supplies cutting-edge research facilities and access to laboratories and specialized equipment.

48 Months

The project period is February 1, 2024 to January 31, 2029.

Funded by Horizon Europe

Through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, Training & Mobility Actions in the form of a Doctoral Network. Total grant: EUR 4.167.943. Grant number: 101167856

Contact FRESCO4NoPain Coordinator
Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, Aalborg University
Selma Lagerløfsvej 249
DK-9260 Gistrup
+45 61 96 72 email

Apply now

Full-Time , Temporary

PhD Project

Updated at 03/27/2025

While applying for the job please refer to jobvector