Project

Many cancer patients experience memory complaints after their treatment. For example, a patient may frequently find themselves in the supermarket with little idea of what they came to buy. Clinical neuropsychologists can help in trying to diagnose what the problem is, by having the patient recall lists of words in a controlled environment. However, the nature of the outcomes that are currently recorded in these examinations are not always sufficiently specific in describing what the problem is. 

The patient may “not remember the items to buy”. But is this because they were not able to store the information at home, or because they are not able to retrieve the information that they have stored in their memory somewhere? To what brain measures are these different types of problems related? Can an intervention like exercise help for some of these problems? Are you interested in applying your statistical / mathematical / computational / psychometric skills to disentangle these issues? Then please apply for this position.

The PhD project is embedded in a larger project, funded by KWF Kankerbestrijding, in which also executive functioning and attention, patient-reported outcomes, and cognitive rehabilitation interventions are studied. One strength of the current project is that we can make use of the Amsterdam Cognition Scan (ACS), a cognitive test battery that can be completed by patients on their own computer. Computerized testing has allowed us to collect larger datasets, with more precise information on different aspects of test performance; for example, what button was clicked, and how long this response took. There are many datasets already available for which the ACS was used. In these datasets, other data was also collected, such as questionnaire data and structural MRI scans. Using these datasets, you decide what information to use, and how to design a novel model to isolate cognitive processes, possibly borrowing model elements from the literature.

The PhD project consists of three parts: “What specific memory processes are affected by cancer and cancer treatment?”, “How are these memory processes related to other variables?”, and “What can we do to improve memory processes after cancer?”.

The first part is the largest, and consists of replacing traditional memory sum score outcomes by specific memory process outcomes derived from cognitive modeling. On these cognitive processes, we expect more interpretable differences between patients who receive chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, or immunotherapy, and controls. This part will require a lot of creativity, a results-oriented literature search strategy, and flexibility to change plans.

The second part consists of exploring relationships between cognitive process outcomes, demographics, brain measures and patient-reported outcomes, using network analysis. From these analyses, we hope to derive mechanisms, risk factors, and potential intervention targets. This part will require conceptual thinking, and openness for ideas.

The third part consists of discovering whether memory process outcomes provide new insights on the effects of exercise interventions on memory. This part will require systematic thinking and attention to detail.

Team
The project is led by dr. Agelink van Rentergem, and will take place in the Division of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) in Amsterdam. Prof.dr. Sanne Schagen will also be closely involved in supervision.

Your role

• Implement, adapt, develop cognitive models to study memory processes;
• Perform network analysis to study how memory processes are related to each other, and to structural brain measures;
• Perform structural equation modeling analysis to study how memory processes are impacted by exercise interventions;
• Make the aforementioned models reusable for other researchers with other datasets;
• Present results in international conferences, and in articles intended for publication in international peer-reviewed journals;
• Report results in non-technical terms, to inform patient stakeholders and clinicians on your insights.

Your experience and profile
We are looking for an enthusiastic, skilled, and proactive PhD candidate who recognizes themselves (to an extent) in the following:

Must have:

• A completed or nearly-completed Master’s degree in mathematical psychology, psychometrics, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive sciences, computational biology, or similar;
• Working knowledge of mathematical psychology / psychometrics / cognitive psychology, or similar;
• Experience with computer programming (in R, or possibly Python, or similar), preferably with reusability of code by others in mind;

Nice to have or willing to learn:

• Some knowledge of/interest in clinical neuropsychology, oncology, brain measures, exercise, Bayesian statistics, network modeling, structural equation modeling;
• Strong communication in written and spoken English and visualization skills;
• Some knowledge of Dutch (it may make working with existing datasets a little easier, and can help in communication with patient organizations). Not a selection criterion.

The NKI values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive work environment that stimulates the best in each individual. Applications of all individuals are welcomed regardless of age, ancestry, religion, disability, distance from the labor market, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The NKI is a Comprehensive Cancer Centre combining a hospital and research laboratories in a single independent organization. Our research institute accommodates 650 scientists and scientific support personnel from more than 45 different countries. Research discussions, lectures and seminars in English and a large number of Dutch and non-Dutch postdocs, students and staff members contribute to the stimulating and international atmosphere of the Institute. We offer an inspiring and interactive research environment, state-of-the-art facilities, training, a competitive salary (including possibilities for tax-reduction) and housing facilities in the vicinity of the Institute. The Institute is located close to the city centre of Amsterdam and the international Schiphol airport.

• Your temporary employment will be for a period of 4 years.
• The gross salary per month will range from € 2.972,- to € 3.620,- according to the standard PhD scales. The terms of employment will be in accordance with the CAO Ziekenhuizen (Collective Labour Agreement for Hospitals).
• In addition you will receive a fixed end-of-year bonus in December (8,33%) and in May you will receive 8,33% holiday pay. 
• Your travel expenses will be reimbursed at € 0,08 per km (with a maximum of 30km single-way) which can be completed until € 0,19 per km at the end of the year by using our MKA-ruling – Flexible Employment Benefit. Free parking at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek is also part of the package. Personnel is stimulated to use public transport and bicycle and therefore we offer an interesting arrangement for bikers and/or discount on the NS-business card.
• As employer we contribute to 50% of your retirement at the Pensioenfonds Zorg & Welzijn and provide a collective discount at the health insurance IZZ and Zilveren Kruis and insurance for incapability for work. 

Netherlands Cancer Institute: NKI

The NKI is a Comprehensive Cancer Centre combining a hospital and research laboratories in a single independent organization. Our research institute accommodates 650 scientists and scientific support personnel from more than 45 different countries.

Research discussions, lectures and seminars in English and a large number of Dutch and non-Dutch postdocs, students and staff members contribute to the stimulating and international atmosphere of the Institute.

We offer an inspiring and interactive research environment, state-of-the-art facilities, training, a competitive salary (including possibilities for tax-reduction) and housing facilities in the vicinity of the Institute.

The Institute is located close to the city centre of Amsterdam and the international Schiphol airport.