A family history of mental illness is the most important known risk factor for the development of mental health problems; up to 50% of children with a mentally ill parent develops a mental disorder during their own lifetime. The recently initiated Horizon Europe project 'Running in the FAMILY' aims at understanding and predicting the intergenerational transmission of mental illness. Specifically, the FAMILY consortium aims to better understand the mechanisms of intergenerational transmission of mental illness and to use the family context to gain prediction power by the innovative combination of statistical modelling of genetically informed designs, causal inference, multimodal and multilevel normative prediction, and molecular mapping and address key bioethical and social issues raised by the concept of intergenerational risk transmission and risk prediction.

As part of FAMILY, we will acquire data in the BRainImaging, Development and GEnetics (BRIDGE) study. BRIDGE is a longitudinal study investigating the development of psychopathology, cognition and brain measures in offspring of parents with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. We will perform a third MRI assessment of the offspring as well as invite both parents for an MRI scan of the brain. The Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology offers a position as a PhD student. The candidate will be involved in the collection, processing, analyzing and writing up of longitudinal data and the triad neuroimaging data (MRI) of adolescent and young adult offspring of parents with a severe mental illness, specifically schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

• MSc degree in medicine, biomedical sciences, genetic/molecular epidemiology, psychology, neurosciences or a related discipline.
• Affinity with scientific questions around the contribution of genetic and environmental influences on the development of psychiatric problems, and underlying biological mechanisms.
• Working well in a team and independently.
• Relevant research experience (e.g. experience with neuroimaging, working with prospective and/or family data) would be advantageous.
• Affinity with a pediatric/adolescent population is important.
• Knowledge and experience programming in R, Matlab, python and/or C is very desirable.
• Excellent writing and presenting skills.
• A high level of motivation and commitment to produce accurate and high-quality work and have excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and documentation skills.
• Proficiency in English is required.
• Proficiency in Dutch is preferable but not required.
• Our department embraces the values of open science and strives for replicable and reproducible research. For this goal we support transparent research with open data, open material, and pre-registrations.

• You will receive a temporary position for 4 years. The gross monthly salary is € 2.789,- in the 1st year and increases to € 3.536,- in the 4th year (scale OIO). Based on a fulltime working week of 36 hours.
• A 4% Collective Labour Agreement payraise starting November 2023.
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and an individual travel expense package.
• Pension insurance with ABP, we take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as an incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. There is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work.

Erasmus MC

A healthy population and excellence in healthcare through research and education - this is what Erasmus MC stands for. Conducting groundbreaking work, pushing boundaries and leading the way in research, education, and healthcare. We are practical people with a high level of expertise, working hard to improve and renew the healthcare of today and the public health of tomorrow. The PhD student will be employed at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, which focuses on patient care, teaching and research activities to improve child and adolescent mental health. The Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology is the only independent department of child and adolescent psychiatry and psychology in the Netherlands integrated in a university medical center.

A key aim of the department is to study the frequency, determinants and course of child psychiatric disorders, using epidemiological methods in the general population, in populations at risk, and in clinical samples. The Department is part of the Netherlands Institute of Health Sciences (NIHES). The candidate is part of the lab of Prof. Neeltje van Haren (principle investigator of the FAMILY consortium). The lab uses neuroimaging, genetics and deep phenotyping in longitudinal family designs to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying (risk for) psychosis and mood disorders and symptoms.