PhD students (m/f/d) in the field of Computational Neuroscience and Neuroimaging

As a tertiary and quaternary level provider of medical care, the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen combines patient-oriented medicine and care, teaching and research at an international level. The entire spectrum of medical care is provided through 36 specialist departments, 33 institutes and six interdisciplinary units. The co-location of patient care, research and teaching in a central building offers the best conditions for intensive interdisciplinary exchange and close clinical and scientific networking. Highly qualified teams of doctors, nurses and scientists work collaboratively to optimise the healthcare provision of our local, regional, national and international patients. Around 9,000 employees ensure that our care delivery is patient-oriented medicine and surpasses the highest quality standards. With 1,400 beds, the university hospital treats around 50,000 inpatient and 200,000 outpatient cases per year.

The Translational Neurodegeneration Section at the Department of Neurology is offering 3 positions for

PhD students (m/f/d) in the field of Computational Neuroscience and Neuroimaging

The position is available on a part time basis (65%: 25,03 h/week) starting 2^nd January 2024 and would be on a fixed-term contract until 31^st December 2026. The successful applicants will be encouraged to work towards a doctorate degree.

The Translational Neurodegeneration Section at the Department of Neurology consists of an interdisciplinary team in the field of neurology, psychology, engineering and MR-physics, and investigates neurodegenerative diseases, in particular dementias and movement disorders. The goal of our research is to gain a better pathophysiological understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and to enable improved prediction of individual disease risk and progression. As a scientific focus we conduct international prospective clinical and neuroimaging studies of the brain and spinal cord in Friedreich`s ataxia. FACROSS is a joint research project funded by the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) and aims at a better understanding of the multisystem complexity in Friedreich`s ataxia to identify disease-specific clinical, genetic, laboratory chemical, digital and neuroimaging markers using innovative methods. This work is carried out in close collaboration with the Research Centre Jülich within the framework of the Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance (JARA-BRAIN).

Tasks

As a PhD student and research associate you will support our interdisciplinary team with processing and statistical modelling of multimodal data, including neuroimaging, clinical, digital (wearable devices, CardioWatch) and laboratory chemical data, and evaluate statistical models for the prediction of different disease trajectories in Friedreich ataxia.

• Acquisition, (pre)processing, analyses and combination of data from different modalities, including processing of neuroimaging data (e.g., DTI, fMRI, MRS)
• Design and implementation of data analysis pipelines (e.g., deep-learning, AI-based algorithms), testing of computational and normative models in close collaboration with principal investigators
• Contribution to high-quality papers in international journals, presentation of research results at meetings and conferences
• Assistance in data management, planning and coordination of research projects, writing funding applications  

Your profile

• Completed university degree in Computer Science, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Engineering or Physics (or a related subject)
• Programming language skills commonly used in neuroscience (Python, R, Matlab)
• Good English skills in both spoken and written form (Level C1)
• High intrinsic motivation to learn and validate new methods
• Ability to work reliably and independently as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Communication and collaboration skills within our research group and international cooperation partners  

Desirable:

• Experience in processing and analysis of neuroimaging data (e. g., DTI, fMRI, MRS)
• Experience in machine / deep-learning algorithms
• Advanced programming language skills

Why should you choose us?

• 300 professions under one roof – more variety is not possible
• We offer performance-based remuneration in accordance with the provisions of TV-L (EG 13), including attractive public service benefits
• In addition to a wide range of further education and training opportunities we offer a wide range of health promotion options as well as the extensive university sports program
• Monthly employee discounts through our corporate benefits program to save on private shopping
• Flexible working hours so that you can better combine work and private life, because your work-life balance is important to us
• Attractive conditions for public transport or discounted employee parking so that you have a relaxed commute
• A company kindergarten so that your children are always close by

This position is not gender specific.

The RWTH Aachen University Hospital promotes equal opportunities and diversity. Applications from women are expressly encouraged and if the applicant is suitable qualified, they will be given priority in accordance with the LGG. If suitably qualified, people with a registered disability will also receive priority.

Weekly hours are negotiable.

You should preferably use our digital application portal at www.karriere.ukaachen.de for your application. There you have the option of securing your documents in the electronic application folder to prevent unauthorized access. Applications that reach us by e-mail to: bewerbungukaachende (this transmission path cannot be as effectively secured) will be transferred to the aforementioned portal and any accompanying documents will be disposed of in accordance with data protection regulations immediately after transfer. After the retention period has expired, the data in the portal will also be deleted.

If you do not agree to a transfer to the Application portal your application cannot be considered.

The application deadline for the advertised position GB-P-45090 is 20^th of November 2023.

Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Department of Neurology -Section Translational Neurodegeneration, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen.

For more detailed information please contact Univ.-Prof. Dr. Kathrin Reetz, Tel.: 0241/80 89609, E-Mail: kreetz@ukaachen.de

Apply online now – https://jobs.ukaachen.de/candidate/formapply?prj=45090&b=0&oid=&quelle=0&ie=1&gpid=60P45090