We are in search of a dedicated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our ambitious EU-funded project HEREDITARY, which had its official start date on 1st of January 2024. The primary objective of this EU-project is to develop a federated platform tailored to delve into the mechanisms underpinning the gut-brain axis. At Radboudumc, HEREDITARY will focus on integrating cognitive neuroscience, digital pathology, microbiology and genetics.Your role will be to contribute to the integration of structural and functional neuroimaging data into data on microbiota. Will you join us in this exciting new project?

In later stages of the employment you should contribute to integration of other data modalities such as genetic, metabolomic or pathology data, which is an aim of a PhD researcher located in the Department of Pathology at Radboudumc.

The intricate relationship between the microbiota-gut-brain-axis (MGBA) and human behaviour, particularly in the realm of social interactions and overall mental health, is an area of burgeoning interest in the scientific community. The MGBA includes a sophisticated interplay between the gut, its microbial residents, and the brain. This interaction is mediated through various pathways, including modulation of vagal nerve signalling, neuromodulators or their precursors such as serotonin or tryptophan, and interactions with the immune system, all intricately linked to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal System (HPA-axis).

Our team has contributed to deepening the integration of neuroimaging brain network parameters with abundance of gut microbiota. While recent years have seen an improvement in understanding of the MGBA, there remains a significant gap in understanding the multifaceted nature of each modality and the overarching potential arising from the brain-gut microbiota interplay.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Conduct research initiatives focused on the human gut-brain interaction, leveraging advanced neuroimaging and machine-learning techniques.
• Process multi-modal analyses of neuroimaging, behavioural, genetic as well as microbiota data sets to derive meaningful insights into health and disease.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate findings from microbiome, genetic and pathology data.
• Contribute to integration of these analyses into the architecture of the federated platform that will be developed in the EU-project.
• Engage in regular knowledge exchange sessions, seminars, and workshops.
• Publish findings in reputable journals and present at international conferences.

We are on the lookout for a dynamic and passionate researcher who is deeply interested in improving our understanding of the human gut-brain interaction and integration of further data modalities to understand health and disease.

Our ideal candidate we are looking for should have:

• Technical Expertise: proficiency in processing and analysing neuroimaging data, with a strong foundation in cognitive neuroscience. Familiarity with genetic and histopathological data will be advantageous.
• Biological Curiosity: an interest in molecular biology, genetics or microbiology is desired. Even if your primary expertise lies in cognitive neuroimaging.
• Collaborative Spirit: a genuine belief in the power of team science, with a track record of successful collaborations.
• Open Science Advocate: a commitment to transparency, data sharing, and open science principles.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: ability to seamlessly integrate knowledge from various disciplines to drive research outcomes.
• Research Excellence: a pursuit of excellence, underscored by a strong publication record and innovative research methodologies.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years with possible extension of 1 year.

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• A gross monthly salary in scale 10 between €3,359 and €5,292 (for a full-time appointment). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. You can also share knowledge with colleagues through digital learning spaces – perfect for getting inspired and inspiring others.
• Your well-being and vitality are our priorities. For instance, you can enjoy a 40% discount on a sports subscription at the Radboud Sports Center along with access to the Healthy Professionals program designed to assist you in managing your energy. If you are going through a life-changing event, our Company Support Team and a personal coach are there to help you.
• If you are going through a life-changing event, our Company Support Team and a personal coach are there to help you.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. This includes advice and training courses (from ‘Millennial Dilemmas’ to ‘Your Career After 57’), activities at our own mindfulness center, and informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• 168 holiday hours per year (23 days) based on a 36-hour working week.
• 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid.
• You build up a pension by ABP Pension Fund, and Radboudumc pays 70% of the pension premium.
• Discounts on health insurance and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your travel expenses or a working-from-home allowance of €2 per day.

Radboudumc

The CNS department of the Radboud University Medical Center stands at the forefront of molecular, behavioural, and cognitive neuroscience research. Within this department, the Memory and Emotion group has been focussing on understanding both healthy subjects and those with neuropsychiatric disorders, primarily using fMRI.

A key focus in recent years has been the exploration of the gut-brain axis from the perspective of neuroimaging, employing cutting edge neuroimaging analyses and data integration techniques. This research endeavour is a collaborative effort, involving multiple groups within the Radboud University and Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc).

In this EU funded project you will work together with the Computational Pathology Group and Cancer Microbiology Group from the department of pathology, and the department of genetics of the Radboudumc and the Food &Cognition group at the DCCN. The selected candidate will benefit from the state-of-the-art infrastructure of the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, a globally recognized research hub dedicated to unravelling the mechanisms driving cognition and behaviour in both health and disease.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where our research groups strive for innovative solutions that make impact on health and healthcare. We challenge the status quo to overcome current and future health challenges. Our goal is to shape the future of healthcare for generations to come. Our focus is on prevention, sustainability, and meaningful care, which we achieve through our in-depth understanding of disease mechanisms, clinical science, public health research, medical technology and data science. Our approach is centered on breakthroughs that can truly enhance personalized healthcare and public health.

At Radboudumc, a comprehensive range of research programs provide the compass for our research efforts. Each program has a clear goal, where collaboration within and outside our organization is highly valued. We integrate care, education and research in partnership with our patients to ensure that our research programs have significant impact on health and healthcare. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a healthy future for all.