Ph.D. Candidate (f/m/d)

The mission of the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) is medical translation: transferring biomedical research findings into novel approaches to personalized prediction, prevention, diagnostics and therapies and, conversely, using clinical observations to develop new research ideas. The aim is to deliver relevant medical benefits to patients and the population at large. Since 2021 the BIH has been integrated into Charité as its so‑called third pillar.

For the collaborative research center “ReTune” starting from now on limited for 3 years we are looking for a

Ph.D. Candidate (f/m/d)in part-time (25,35 h/week)

The position is in the context of the project “Towards clinical application of virtual deep brain stimulation”, funded by the German Research Foundation within the collaborative research center “ReTune” (https://sfb-retune.de/en/home/). The project, led by Dr. Jil Meier, aims to model deep brain stimulation (DBS) from a network science perspective, exploring a novel approach for predicting neuromodulation effects based on network control theory. If successful, the modeling-based DBS predictions will be combined with computational neuroscience approaches to test the benefits of the modeling-suggested DBS programming on Parkinson’s disease patients in a clinical pilot trial.

The position is part of the collaborative research center “ReTune” and thus offers a high degree of interaction with other groups of this consortium. In addition, the CRC has an active early-career network, offering various activities, such as Fall Schools, Hackathons and method-training seminars. In more local aspects, the position will be within the Brain Simulation Section (https://​www.brainsimulation.org/​bsw) at the Berlin Institute of Health at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, which is an interdisciplinary group of researchers with various backgrounds headed by Prof. Petra Ritter.

What you can expect:

• Application of methods from network science and network control theory to understand the pathology of Parkinson's disease and DBS therapy effects
• Analysis of various imaging and electrophysiological data sets from healthy controls and Parkinson's disease patients
• Presentation of results and preparation of scientific publications
• Development of a modeling-based approach for improved programming for deep brain stimulation devices
• Collaboration with project partners within the ReTune consortium

What you bring along:

• Completed scientific university degree (Master, Diploma or comparable) in a relevant field (for example engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, neuroscience or related fields)
• strong interest in neuroscience and neuromodulation, especially deep brain stimulation
• ambition to pursue an academic career
• high level of motivation and the ability to work both independently and within a team
• ideally experience in mathematical modeling, graph theory/​network science and (network) control theory and previous experience in working with imaging or electrophysiological data is considered a plus
• Very good skills in written and spoken English and foundational knowledge of a programming language (ideal: previous experience with either Matlab or Python)

What we offer you:

• A varied job in a forward-looking research institute
• Remuneration up to TVöD VKA-K E 13, taking into account personal requirements
• Additional benefits customary in the public sector (including annual special payment, company pension scheme [VBL], capital-forming benefits)
• Flexible working hours and the option of working remote
• 30 vacation days per year (with a five-day week)
• Various support offers to balance work and family life (childcare, cooperation with voiio)
• Very good training and further education opportunities
• Mobile citizens' office on site
• Corporate benefits (travel, leisure, shopping, etc.), Charité Gympass, bicycle leasing or abonnement (JobRad, mylo)
• Very easily accessible and attractive workplace at Charité Campus Mitte (Robert-Koch-Platz 4, 10117 Berlin)

If you have any technical questions about the job posting, please contact Dr. Jil Meier (jil-mona.meier@bih-charite.de).

Please submit your application via the BIH Career Portal with a letter of motivation, CV and relevant work and degree certificates by September 5^th 2024, quoting the reference number BIH-65.24.

Apply now!

Note: If you have a foreign degree, please submit proof of recognition of your degree in Germany with your application. The proof can be obtained via the anabin database. Please note that it may be necessary to obtain a certificate assessment from the ZAB. You can find more information at: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education.html

Proof of measles immunity/​measles vaccination is a prerequisite for employment for those born after 1970.

We live diversity!

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion and ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity. Applications from women are expressly encouraged. Severely disabled and equivalent applicants will be given special consideration if they have the same qualifications and suitability. We believe that diverse teams representing a wide range of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds enrich our research and work.

You can find more information about BIH at:
www.bihealth.org/en