PhD in Connectomics analysis of human brain evolution

Do you like to work with complex neuroimaging data and with big data on the intersection of neuroscience, connectomics and genetics? The Brain Connectivity and Connectomics team at the Department of Complex Trait Genetics at the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, invites applications for 2 PhD positions in the field of computational neuroscience, focusing on the study of human brain evolution and the origins of human cognitive brain functions.

This project aims to understand human brain evolution and how evolutionary processes have shaped the organization of human cognitive brain networks, their cognitive functions, and their vulnerability to mental conditions. By applying neuroimaging, genetics, and network neuroscience analyses to MRI data from multiple species, the project seeks to uncover the evolutionary basis of human cognition—including language, working memory, theory-of-mind, and the specialized brain networks supporting these processes. One candidate will focus on the genetics side of the research question, while the other will focus on neuroimaging and network neuroscience.

Working in a team, the joint aim of the project is to gain insight into the comparative effects of human brain connectome organization and to integrate this data with recent functional and structural connectome properties and evolutionary genetic discoveries, utilizing large-scale bioinformatic databases and resources.

Background: The human brain is a highly complex network of interconnected regions—the connectome. Advances in network neuroscience and connectomics have enabled researchers to map and study the organization of brain networks, revealing how connectivity underpins cognition and behavior. The emerging field of comparative connectomics seeks to understand how these brain networks overlap and differ across species, providing insights into the evolutionary origins of brain function and the neural basis of cognitive functions such as language, working memory, and theory-of-mind. Key questions include how brain systems have evolved across species, which connections are uniquely developed in humans, and how these patterns relate to evolutionary changes in genetic and molecular mechanisms.

In this project, you will investigate these questions by analyzing large-scale MRI from multiple species, making specific species-comparisons (for example, chimpanzees vs humans), and applying and developing state-of-the-art methods in network analysis, connectomics, and computational neuroscience. You will collaborate within a motivated, multidisciplinary team of PhD students and postdocs with expertise in biology, bioinformatics, AI, genetics, neuroimaging, computational neuroscience, psychology, and statistics, all contributing to a deeper understanding of the basis of human brain connectivity and brain function.

You should have an affinity for working with large datasets and possess knowledge of data analysis and programming (MATLAB, Python, R, or other scientific coding/programming). Affinity with computational neuroscience, connectomics, and/or Machine Learning is appreciated.

Our goal

• Perform connectome analysis on neuroimaging data and integrate connectome findings across multiple species
• Develop new statistical methods to compare networks across conditions
• Apply bioinformatic tools for integrating results from different biological resources
• Think critically
• Work with highly motivated and enthusiastic team members
• Actively take part in discussions and have frequent contact with CNCR neuroimaging, genetics, and neuroscience labs
• Author and co-author manuscripts submitted to high quality journals
• Support (10% of time) to teaching
• Frequently present work at international communities (at conference calls or conferences)

Your profile

• MSc in any of the following fields: Neuroscience, Mathematics, Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Informatics (web development), Computational Neuroscience, Biology, Genetics, and/or Statistics
• Experience with neuroimaging techniques, preferably connectomics; bioinformatics; computational biology is appreciated
• Good ability to write and read English
• Experience with Python or R language and some experience with scientific programming
• Support ‘open science’: share your tools and data with the wider scientific community

What we offer

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research, and service for a better world. In return for your efforts, we offer you:

• A salary of €3.059,00 (PhD) up to €3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• An employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

We also offer attractive fringe benefits and arrangements, such as:

• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• Solid pension scheme (ABP)
• Contribution to commuting expenses
• Optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers, and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy, and just future.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical, and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programs and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely—a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance, and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.