*The lab:*The Brain Network Modelling Group is dedicated to the multi-modal analysis of cognitive and affective networks as well as their disturbances by neurological and psychiatric disorders. To this end, we employ functional and structural MRI (with research dedicated 3T, 4T and 9.4T scanners available), meta-analyses of neuroimaging results, database-driven modeling as well as analyses of structural (diffusion-weighted imaging), functional (resting-state analysis) and effective (Dynamic Causal Modeling) connectivity analyses. *Topic 1: Multi-modal analysis of the aging executive system* - To understand the effects of normal aging on the brain and the effects of these changes on behavior, comprehensive imaging and neuropsychological data has been collected from more than 500 participants in an epidemiological cohort. - Using volumetric analysis, resting-state functional connectivity and diffusion imaging the aim of the PhD project is to characterize the differential effects of healthy aging on different sub-regions of the DLPFC and their relationship to the neurophysiological phenotypes, i.e., behavioral measures of executive functions. - All methods are established in the lab, making this position an excellent opportunity to learn various approaches for the analysis of structural and functional neuroimaging data while contributing to the understanding of aging and inter-individual variability of executive functions sustained by the DLPFC. *Topic 2: **Mapping premotor connectivity and function* - The human premotor cortex is implicated in a large number of cognitive processes from hand and eye movements to response selection, attention and working memory. Its internal differentiation and in particular the contribution of its subdivisions to neuropsychological performance, however, are yet not well understood. - The project will combine new methods for multi-modal connectivity-based parcellation, quantitative functional decoding and investigation of inter-individual differences in a large sample of healthy subjects. The aim of this work is to identify and comprehensively characterize different functional modules within the human premotor cortex. - With all necessary data already collected and all methods established in the lab, this position provides an excellent opportunity to learn various innovative approaches for the multi-modal analysis of structural and functional neuroimaging data. *Qualifications:* - MSc or equivalent in psychology, computer science, biology or a related discipline - Experience in fMRI analysis (SPM, FSL) or programming (MATLAB, Python) *Administrative: *Funding is secured for the entire period of the PhD thesis. Payment will correspond to salary grade 13/2 of the German Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Civil Services (TVöD). *To apply:*Send a CV, motivation letter and contact details of two academic referees to S.Eickhoff(a)fz-juelich.de <mailto:S.Eickhoff@fz-juelich.de>. =================================== Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Simon B. Eickhoff Cognitive Neuroscience Group Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf Telefon: +49 211 81 13018 Fax: +49 211 81 13015 eMail: Simon.Eickhoff(a)uni-duesseldorf.de <mailto:Simon.Eickhoff@uni-duesseldorf.de> and Brain Network Modelling Group Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1) Research Center Jülich Telefon: +49 2461 61 8609 Fax: +49 2461 61 2820 eMail: S.Eickhoff(a)fz-juelich.de <mailto:S.Eickhoff@fz-juelich.de> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Dr. Karl Eugen Huthmacher Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr. Achim Bachem (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt, Prof. Dr. Sebastian M. Schmidt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------