The connectome lab (
dutchconnectomelab.nl) as part of the Complex Traits Genetics Department of the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research in Amsterdam (see
(www.cncr.nl) is seeking applicants for 2 Postdoc positions in cross-disorder connectome analysis of the human brain. The successful candidate will be part of an ERC / NWO Brainscapes project in the group of PI Martijn van den Heuvel as part of the department of Complex Trait Genetics at the VU. The aim of the project is to build new network neuroscience tools to gain insight into transdiagnostic effects of the human brain connectome organization and the integration of connectivity data with genetic discoveries.
Network neuroscienceIn the last decade advances in the field of network neuroscience has started to map and study the complex organization of brain networks, with the aim to get a better understanding of how brain connectivity plays a central role in brain function and disease disfunction. The field of disease connectomics has the specific aim to map and study how changes to the connectome may play a role in the aetiology of a variety of brain conditions, ranging from individual symptomatology to neurological and psychiatric conditions.
New technologies and data analysis techniques in the field of Network Neuroscience have enabled new ways to map which systems and brain connections are involved in which disorders and 'why'. One of the postdocs will work on developing new network neuroscience approaches to examine how disease effects across disorders relate to each other in search for new transdiagnostic brain markers.
Large-scale neuroimaging and genetic dataA second open question is how brain connectivity (and the disease effects herein) relate to underlying common and unique genetic and molecular effects. To address these challenges, the other postdoc will work on integrating MRI findings with genetic discoveries. The candidate will work with large-scale MRI and genetics databases and machine learning approaches.
You will work in a highly enthusiastic and motivated team of PhD students and Postdocs working on this project, with diverse backgrounds, including, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, neuroimaging, computational neuroscience, psychology and genetics. As a Postdoc you will co-supervise the students and work on both the team and your own projects and studies.
You have affinity with working with large datasets and have knowledge of programming (Matlab, Python, R, or other scientific coding/programming). Affinity with computational neuroscience, genetics, network science and/or Machine Learning is highly appreciated.
Your duties
- perform network analysis on neuroimaging data and integrate findings across datasets
- work on developing new statistical methods for network neuroscience
- work on computational modelling of network effects
- apply bioinformatic tools for integrating results from different biological resources
- think critically. Supervise MSc and PhD students
- actively take part in discussions and have frequent contact with CNCR
neuroimaging, genetics and neuroscience labs
- authoring and co-authoring manuscripts submitted to high quality journals
- teaching (10% of time)