Postdoc mesoscale cerebellar MRI

In this NWO-funded Vici project headed by Wietske van der Zwaag, we will leverage Ultra-High Field MRI (7T) with recent advances in MRI hardware, acquisition strategies and image analysis to bring the cerebellar mesoscale organisation into view.

About the project

The human cerebellum is an intricately shaped brain region, implicated in a wide range of functions. The cerebellar cortex, a thin layer of grey matter, is very tightly folded, resulting in a highly convoluted architecture. Its visualisation requires detailed imaging, beyond what is currently possible in humans in vivo.

With multimodal submillimetre MRI data including structural, microstructural, vascular, and functional MRI, we will pinpoint the mesoscale functional subunits within the human cerebellum.

The postdoctoral research project (32 months) will focus on ultra-high field, high-resolution cerebellar imaging, including pTx, multiple relevant contrasts for (micro)structural and vascular imaging and advanced image analysis to visualise results on the cerebellar surface. The position will provide the opportunity to supervise PhD student(s) and space to obtain independent funding.

What you will be contributing

We are looking for a researcher who has, or is about to receive, a PhD in MR physics or a closely related field. The ideal candidate should have:

• Familiarity with 7T MRI and/or the Philips sequence development platform, to enable a smooth transition to supervision of the PhD student(s)
• A vivid interest in high-resolution imaging or the human cerebellum
• Proficiency in spoken and written English

What do we offer

You will be part of the Vici project-team consisting of 3 PhD students, a postdoctoral researcher and the PI. You will be joining a highly collaborative research environment of the Ultra-High Field Neuroimaging group of the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience and the Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging. This research environment combines state-of-the-art neuroimaging expertise and facilities, including 7T MRI, with a diverse interdisciplinary community of MR-physicists and cognitive and clinical neuroscientists.

This is a position for 1.0 fte (38 h/week) for the period of one year with the possibility to extend up to 32 months in total. You will have ample opportunities for further development of knowledge and technical and personal skills (e.g. supervision) through courses at the Academy and (inter)national conferences.

About the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience

The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is the country’s leading fundamental neuroscience research institute, in the international and progressive city of Amsterdam. It provides a critical mass of scientists (spanning more than 27 nationalities) and neuroscience facilities, in a highly interactive, dynamic, multi-cultural environment, with English as the working language.

Terms of employment

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.