We invite applications for a PhD position in neuroscience/ neuroimaging at the Department of Anaesthesiology of the Maastricht University Medical Centre, and the School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty for Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University. The position is embedded in our translational programm of research into mechanisms and treatment of chronic pain.

Project description

Both ascending and descending pain-related processes modulate the pain experience. Descending inhibitory processes, such as habituation, may protect against chronic pain. The main aim of this PhD project is to gain more insight in the brain areas involved in habituation to pain and to develop a real-time fMRI paradigm, which enables patients to self-regulate and promote habituation to experimental pain in order to reduce chronic pain

You are a highly motivated creative innovator with a team spirit. You are able to work in the interactive field of technological innovation and medicine, like complex problems, and have good skills in English. You have excellent communicative and organization competences. A M.Sc. degree is required in (medical) physics, biomedical engineering, computer science, neurosciences, biomedical sciences or other related fields. Affinity with MR imaging, data analysis, and a strong background in computer programming (e.g. Matlab, Python) is required. Experience with BrainVoyager, Freesurfer or similar MRI data analysis software is highly beneficial.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 18,000 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.