PHD POSITION IN NEURAL SELF-MANIPULATION OF FOOD REWARD, ETH ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

The Physiology and Behavior Laboratory, the Consumer Behavior Group and the Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory of the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zurich are seeking applications for a PhD position in Neural Self-Manipulation of Food Reward. This position is being offered in the context of the "Eat to Learn to Move: Reward Modulates Behavior” initiative of the Department of Health Sciences and Technology, uniting research methods and approaches from food and nutrition sciences, neurosciences, human movement sciences and medical engineering. The position is available immediately, is fully funded and will profit from strong support of and collaborations between the groups involved in the initiative and partners at the University Hospital Zurich.

BACKGROUND Disorders of energy homeostasis such as obesity and under-nutrition are among the greatest challenges to human health. The major cause of obesity is overeating, which appears to be mainly due to hedonic factors overriding the homeostatic control of eating. One major component mediating the hedonic control of eating is the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, an important part of the neural reward system. In this project, we aim to manipulate the rewarding value of specific types of food through real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rtfMRI neurofeedback) and assess the effects of this manipulation on eating habits.

YOUR PROFILE We are seeking candidates with an MSc degree in psychology or a related discipline, ideally with previous experience in (rt)fMRI study design and data analysis. Good programming and signal processing skills as well as an interest in interdisciplinary research are a plus. If you are an integrative personality with good communication skills desiring to advance this topic with your independent working style, we look forward to receiving your application.

WHAT WE OFFER: - a dynamic, interdisciplinary work environment among highly motivated students and staff - access to the extensive expertise and infrastructure of the department and involved laboratories - a competitive salary and excellent social benefits

HOW TO APPLY Applications should be sent in a single PDF file by e-mail to Roger Gassert (gassertr@ethz.ch, with "PhD position in Manipulation of Food Reward" as subject) and include a motivation letter, full CV with photograph, list of publications, academic transcripts and contact information of at least two references.

LINKS ETH Zurich: http://www.ethz.ch Department of Health Sciences and Technology: http://www.hest.ethz.ch/en Physiology and Behavior Laboratory: http://www.fpb.ethz.ch/index_EN Consumer Behavior Group: http://www.cb.ethz.ch Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory: http://www.relab.ethz.ch

-- Prof. Dr. Roger Gassert Rehabilitation Engineering Lab Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems Department of Health Sciences and Technology ETH Zürich, LEO B 9.1 Leonhardstrasse 27 8092 Zürich, Switzerland

Phone: +41 44 632 32 66 E-Mail: gassertr@ethz.ch WWW: http://www.relab.ethz.ch