Please find information on an open PhD position in social neuroscience/data-mining at Jülich/Düsseldorf, Germany:

The lab: The Brain Network Modelling Group (Institute for Clinical Neuroscience, Heinrich-Heine University and Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Center Jülich) 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. The group is part of the ongoing Human Brain Project.

Project: Multi-modal analysis of brain networks for social interaction

- We aim at the characterization of the neurobiology of social cognition as a whole. This includes both low-level (e.g. face processing) as well as high-level (e.g. Theory of Mind) aspects. We will perform a variety of connectivity and data-mining approaches.

- Aimed at multi-modal connectivity characterization, the project will involve meta-analytic functional connectivity (MACM), resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC), structural covariance and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

- 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

- This will allow for a comprehensive neurobiological model of social interaction processes in healthy humans that is cross-validated across methods

- The successful applicant will work in a dynamic and highly interdisciplinary team of young investigators. The project will be realized in close collaboration with the Neurospin, France, and the Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC), TX, USA. Funding for visits at these institutions are available.

Qualifications:

- MSc or equivalent in psychology, computer science, biology or a related discipline

- Experience in MRI analysis (SPM, FSL) is required

- Programming experience (MATLAB, Python) is strongly preferred

- Basic knowledge of German language is an advantage

- Most importantly, the applicant should forward to answer complex questions on human cognition using advanced data-driven methodology

Administrative: This three-year PhD position is funded by a grant of the German Research Foundation (DFG). The position is available immediately. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. 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@fz-juelich.de!