This PhD student will study the smallest vessels in the living human brain. He/she will assess the utility of two recently developed fMRI techniques, CBV-mapping and line-scanning, in two different patient groups in which microvessel dysfunction plays a dominant role in the pathophysiology. The first group are sickle cell disease patients, a relatively homogeneous group (in collaboration with AUMC Radiology). The second group will consist of elderly persons (79-89 years) across the severity spectrum of cerebral small vessel disease, identified by white matter hyperintensities and lacunar infarcts (in collaboration with AUMC Neurology). We are currently hiring multiple PhD students for related positions.

• Ideal candidates will hold an MSc or equivalent degree in Physics, biomedical imaging or a related field.
• Skills in mathematics, scientific computing and programming (Python and/or Matlab) are essential.
• Knowledge of NMR/MRI physics is highly desirable.
• Some knowledge of Dutch will be useful for interaction with patients.

This position is ideal for students with a technical background seeking opportunities to contribute to neuroscience in human subjects. We strive for a diverse workforce and welcome letters from candidates who might widen the diversity of our team.

You will be appointed by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). The appointment is in total for 4 year. Initially, the candidate will be appointed for 12 months followed by an evaluation after which the contracted is extended. Starting dates are flexible.

Gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU), increasing from € 2325 per month initially, to € 2970 in the fourth year) excluding 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus. We offer an extensive package of fringe benefits.

Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging-KNAW

The Spinoza Centre (SC) for Neuroimaging is a Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences institute and a unique initiative by the Amsterdam neuroscience and cognition community to strengthen its infrastructural base and to serve its frontline research. SC aims to provide deep and mechanistic insights into brain function in health and disease by focussing on the mesoscopic organisation scale that bridges the microscopic (cellular) and macroscopic (brain area) organisation scales of the human brain. SC has a unique focus on and bridging function between cognitive neuroscience, i.e. the neural mechanisms underlying human cognition and behaviour, and clinical neuroscience, i.e. the neural mechanisms underlying diseases and disorders of the human brain. The SC offers a resourceful and stimulating scientific environment. The SC houses 3T and 7T whole-body Philips scanners that are fully dedicated to research.