Postdoctoral Researcher

Join the Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience group led by Dr David Berron in Magdeburg. Our research focuses on three major aims. We conduct studies to understand the functional architecture of cognitive functions with a special focus on human memory and the medial temporal lobe using structural and functional MRI at 3 and 7 Tesla. We investigate the effects of disease pathology (such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles measured using biomarkers) on functional brain systems and use longitudinal experimental designs and advanced statistical models to understand the sequence of changes in early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, we aim to develop disease-stage specific imaging and cognitive markers that allow to detect cognitive impairment but also to monitor cognitive and brain decline. Here we focus particularly on digital cognitive markers using remote testing via mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers and their combination with biomarkers for future health care and clinical trial applications.

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our friendly and open research team. You should be passionate about neuroimaging, memory, neuropsychology and understanding cognitive impairment with its underlying brain dysfunction in early stages of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease). Your tasks will include to prepare, apply and interpret comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses on neuroimaging (e.g. MRI, fMRI) and cognitive data (e.g. neuropsychological assessments and high-frequency smartphone-based cognitive data). You will work on samples including cognitively normal individuals and those in preclinical and clinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease with defined biomarker profiles. A crucial part of your work will be coding/programming and statistical analyses and there is the opportunity to develop novel experimental task paradigms. You will also have the opportunity to present your research to the scientific community at meetings, international conferences and by means of publications. Moreover, you will communicate and discuss your research in regular internal meetings and collaborate with other groups at the DZNE, external institutes or our international network of collaborators.

PhD in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, biostatistics, medicine or related fields.Experience in human neuroimaging (structural and functional MRI) and image analyses (e.g. SPM, ANTS, FSL)Experience in longitudinal modelling of neuroimaging and neuropsychological dataExperience in programming and advanced statistics (e.g. R, Matlab, Python, Shell scripting)Experience with experimental task design and experiment programmingGood communication skills and ability to work in a teamPeer reviewed publications and a track record of research excellenceFluent in spoken and written English

What our employees value

Innovation and internationality a forward-looking infrastructure, modern laboratory and office equipment, software tools and the opportunity for international exchange with your colleagues from 65 nationsWork-life balance - we reconcile work and private life with flexible working hours, , 30 days' holiday (On top free on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) and subsidised job/ Germany ticket optionsFamily-conscious corporate culture - because we know that familie is important, we support you with parent-child offices, and family servicesHealth promotion – through our extensive range of company health programmes, in cooperation with Sozialwerk.BundFocus on development - training programmes tailored to your individual needs and annual HR-development meetings for concrete prospects and potential developmentRemuneration and conditions according to TVöD-Bund - including annual special payment, capital-forming benefits and VBL supplementary pension schemeJob with prospects - the position, which is initially limited to one year, offers the opportunity for extensionPersonalised Onboarding - for a good start to your new professional challenge

Review of applications will begin immediately. We intend to fill the position as quickly as possible.

Please submit your application including CV, motivation letter and references via the link below.

For questions prior to your application, please contact david.berron@dzne.de

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