PhD student Biotype-based personalized rTMS in OCD

This PhD project is part of the NWO/ZonMw VICI grant Neuroplasticity in obsessive-compulsive disorder: from lifespan changes to better treatment outcomes. The project focuses on improving the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) through full treatment personalization.

Although rTMS is an evidence-based intervention, treatment response in OCD varies widely. Current protocols benefit only about one in three patients. This project aims to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches by personalizing rTMS at every level: target selection, stimulation parameters and alignment with the patient’s current brain state.

The project integrates three innovation lines:

• multimodal biotype identification, combining structural MRI, functional MRI, diffusion imaging, symptom profiles and behavioral measures to define neurobiological OCD biotypes;
• within-target personalized coil positioning, using MRI-guided neuronavigation and network-based metrics to optimize stimulation for each individual;
• n-of-1 trial design in clinical care, embedding intensive within-person trials in routine treatment to determine what works for whom and why.

A key strength of this PhD project is its close integration with clinical practice. Methods are developed and tested directly with clinicians and patients at Amsterdam UMC and GGZ inGeest. The project builds on ongoing and completed rTMS trials (e.g., TETRO, TIPICCO), providing access to high-quality multimodal datasets and established protocols.

As a PhD student you contribute to the development of a personalized neurostimulation framework for OCD. You work at the intersection of computational neuroscience, neuroimaging and clinical psychiatry, with direct clinical impact.

Your main activities are:

• analyzing and integrating multimodal MRI data for biotype identification;
• applying machine learning and advanced statistical models to predict treatment response;
• optimizing individualized rTMS targeting using neuronavigation and computational modeling;
• designing and conducting n-of-1 trials embedded in routine clinical care;
• disseminating findings through scientific publications and conference presentations.

You also supervise bachelor’s and master’s students and participate in graduate school training.

A four-year, full-time PhD position at Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, within the Department of Psychiatry and the Amsterdam Neuroscience research institute. You will be supervised by prof. dr. O.A. van den Heuvel (Principle Investigator), prof. dr. Ysbrand van de Werf, dr. Willem Bruin and dr. Sophie Fitszimmons. You will be enrolled in the graduate school for neuroscience (ONWAR), a nationally recognized program providing interdisciplinary neuroscience training and professional development.

You are motivated to translate advanced methodology into meaningful clinical applications. You bring:

• a completed master’s degree in neuroscience, psychology, artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering or a related field;
• strong skills in data analysis, machine learning or computational modeling, preferably applied to neuroimaging data;
• experience with programming and data analysis (e.g. Python, MATLAB, R);
• affinity with neuroimaging research, preferably including MRI data analysis;
• excellent command of English, both spoken and written.

Dutch is helpful for clinical interaction but not mandatory.

• A flying start to your career in scientific research.
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 4 years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy.
• Salary scale OIO: € 3.108 to € 3.939 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here.
• Holiday hours: 190.4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

You will work at Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, within the department of Psychiatry and the department of Anatomy & Neuroscience. You become part of team Neuropsychiatry, a multidisciplinary team that combines fundamental neuroscience with clinical psychiatry in a collaborative and open research culture.

The project is closely connected to clinical care. You collaborate with psychiatrists, psychologists and rTMS technicians at Amsterdam UMC and with therapists at GGZ inGeest, where patients receive follow-up psychotherapy. MRI data are collected at the imaging center at location VUmc, and rTMS sessions take place in the hospital’s TMS labs.

Your research is embedded in Amsterdam Neuroscience, program Compulsivity, Impulsivity and Attention. You work with experienced supervisors, have access to state-of-the-art facilities and join a strong national and international research network.

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Watch the video to find out more.

During the publication period, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The vacancy will close once a suitable candidate has been found.

The first round of interviews is scheduled for Friday 6 February (afternoon). Please take this into account. The second round of interviews will take place on Friday 13 February (afternoon).

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact prof.dr. O.A. van den Heuvel, project-leader and promotor: oa.vandenheuvel@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Chey Edwards, recruitment advisor, at c.i.edwards@amsterdamumc.nl.

A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be considered.