PhD Candidates (f/m/x) – Exposome and Brain Health (Code 1297/2024/3)

The job holder will be part of the Population Health Sciences group, led by Prof Dr Monique M B Breteler, and located at the headquarters of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn. We study causes and biomarkers of normal and pathological mental and physical health, with a special emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and aging. The research is primarily based on the Rhineland Study, a prospective cohort study that emphasizes deep phenotyping. The study currently includes more than 11,000 participants at baseline, follow-up data is already available from nearly 5,000 participants, and further data collection is ongoing. Available clinical data include detailed structural and functional brain imaging, cognitive and neurological assessments, cardiovascular and anthropometric assessments, sensory systems tests, medical history, and medication use. In addition, we have extensive multi-omics data for large parts of the cohort. Importantly, we collect detailed exposome data, including information on physical activity, diet, environmental toxins, and temperature exposure.

Your tasks

You will investigate the impact of the exposome (diet, physical activity, climate change, but also environmental toxins, such as PFAS) on different health outcomes with a specific focus on neurodegeneration. Responsibilities include: participation in and supervision of data acquisition and processing; data analysis and preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals; active participation in national and international conferences.

Your profile

• Excellent master’s degree in epidemiology, biomedical sciences, nutrition, or a related discipline
• Demonstrable interest in quantitative research and strong analytical skills
• First experience with epidemiological research or large-scale clinical studies is a plus
• First programming experience (preferably in R)
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is required
• Enjoyment of working as part of an interdisciplinary and international team

We offer

• An interesting and challenging position on the forefront of health research
• Work in a highly interdisciplinary and international team to address pressing health issues related to aging
• Excellent scientific infrastructure with state-of-the-art research and computational facilities
• Active encouragement and support of our employees’ individual development
• Employment, payment, and social benefits in line with the Public Sector Collective Agreement (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst)