Adolescence marks rapid surges in alcohol and cannabis addiction, but also remarkable recovery rates, as most adolescent addictions naturally resolve over time. Brain development holds an import key to understanding the brain’s recovery potential. Within a multidisciplinairy ERC-funded project that aims to unravel addiction risk and resilience in adolescents and adults, two PhD candidates will jointly conduct a longitudinal neuroimaging study in adolescent and adult alcohol and cannabis users. The PhD candidates will work in close collaboration with each other under supervision of Janna Cousijn, and also collaborate with other project members who will conduct parallel rodent studies. The PhD candidates will be responsible for protocol development, participant recruitment, and data collection, management and analysis. Measures of brain activity, connectivity and structure will eventually be combined with behavioral data to test the predictive value of social and cognitive processes for changes in cannabis and alcohol abuse over time. As such, the PhD candidate will learn to handle different modalities of neuroimaging data. Besides research related activity, the PhD candidate will also be involved in the supervision of student research projects. We aim to start the project in September 2021.

The PhD candidates are expected to hold a MSc degree in psychology, neuroscience, psychobiology, or a related field. Strong analytical skills, neuroimaging experience, an interest in the neuroscience of brain development and addiction, and a good command of written and spoken English are prerequisite. All interaction with participants will be in Dutch and we will aim to hire at least one native Dutch speaking PhD candidate. Affinity with programming (e.g., R, Matlab, Python, Presentation) is considered an advantage. Moreover, good communication skills, team spirit and a flexible work attitude are important assets.

Internationally-oriented and varied work within an enthusiastic team, with attractive fringe benefits in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). Your initial employment term will be one year, but this may be extended with a period of four years if your performance proves satisfactory. Your remuneration is based on salary scale P (CAO NU), starting with EUR 2.395. Erasmus University Rotterdam offers attractive terms of employment, including a holiday allowance of 8%, a year-end payment of 8.3% and 41 annual leave days in case of a full work week. In addition, EUR takes part in the ABP pension scheme, and we also offer partially paid parental leave. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Moreover, EUR staff members are allowed to make use of the EUR facilities, including the Erasmus sports centre and the University Library. We value diversity and believe that a diversity of talents contributes to our vision and strategy to excel as a university on research and education. This means that we are looking for a person who can complement our team well.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

The Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), named after Rotterdam-born humanist and theologian Erasmus, is a research university with a strong international orientation and a pronounced social focus, both in its education and research activities. On the lively, modern campus, more than 28.000 students and scholars of more than 100 nationalities are constantly encouraged to develop their talents and meet their ambition. Our more than 2700 scientists and employees work together with all our students to solve challenges faced by global society, drawing their inspiration from the consistently dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. The academic education offered at our faculties is intensive, engaging and strongly focused on practical application. We increasingly perform our research in multidisciplinary teams, which are closely interwoven with international networks. In terms of research impact and the quality of its degree programmes, EUR can compete with the foremost universities in Europe, which is reflected in its consistent top-100 position in most major universities rankings. Erasmus University Rotterdam’s key values are daring, curiosity, social involvement, breaking new ground and striving for success www.eur.nl.

Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB)

The Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences is home to a vast diversity of scientific disciplines: public administration, pedagogical sciences, psychology and sociology. In addition, the Erasmus University College, IHS, and two research institutes RISBO and DRIFT are linked to the faculty. This also reflects in the content of the (international) bachelor's and master's programs and in research.  Our activities are always focused on people and society. At the ESSB fundamental, internationally oriented research is of paramount importance. In addition, social research for professionals, policy makers, and the society is part of our research activities. ESSB offers a stimulating research environment where major national and international research grants are received. Appealing guest researchers and ambitious PhD candidates come along to conduct their research. Our education is small-scale and works with innovative forms of education such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Both the Dutch and English programs are highly ranked by students and alumni. ESSB is home to over 4000 students and more than 400 staff-members. The different disciplines are supported by the Faculty Office (for more information, please visit www.eur.nl/essb).

Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies (DPECS)

The Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies provides education and research in the area of pedagogical and psychological sciences and is embedded within the Faculty of Social Science. The education is characterized by a successful and innovative didactical approach: problem based learning in combination with extensive professional and academic skills training. Our bachelor and master tracks receive top rankings each year.