Due to the heterogeneous nature of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), non-invasive imaging biomarkers are continously in development to contribute to better diagnosis, prognosis and treatment strategies. The aim of the proposed project is to define the pathological sensitivity of (advanced) MRI outcome measures, as biomarkers for (differential) cognitive decline in AD, PD and DLB.

Over the past few years we have set up a unique collection of post-mortem neuroimaging data in combination with brain tissue, to answer the following objectives:

• To ascertain which advanced neuroimaging modalities is most sensitive to specific neuropathological disease states, as defined by the distribution and burden of proteinopathy.
• To address heterogeneity with pathology-defined neuroimaging patterns.
• To explore if artificial intelligence can be used to gain a higher sensitivity and specificity for defining pathology-confirmed subtypes.

By integrating multisource data (clinical, radiological, histopathological), the project will result in new fundamental knowledge leading to improved interpretation of imaging datasets, relevant for the clinical setting.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, skilled and creative postdoctoral researcher with experience in neuroimaging in neurodegenrative duseases. You will be part of a young, multidisciplinary team.

As a postdoc your main duties and responsibilities are:

• Setting up and conducting the research;
• Collecting postmortem MRI scans;
• Performing MRI data analysis and developing pipelines;
• Strengthen current (inter)national colloborations;
• Writing scientific articles based on the results of your research;
• Making scripts publicly available through our GitHub site;
• Bringing your own ideas for follow-up studies, including applying for grants;
• Supervising students and some teaching duties.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious researcher with a strong interest in neuroscience and neuroimaging of neurodegenerative diseases. You have:

• A recent PhD degree in Neuroscience, Biomedical Science, or a related field;
• Experience with neuroimaging processing and analysis (e.g. SPM, FSL. Freesurfer);
• Some programming and statistical skills (e.g. Bash scripting, Python, R);
• Affinity with neurodegenerative diseases, willing to learn more about neuropathology;
• You are highly motivated, creative and willing to work with human postmortem MRI scans and brain tissue;
• You are communicative, well organized, independent and willing to supervise PhD and Msc students.

• A flying start to your career in scientific research;
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare;
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world;
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV;
• A contract for 12 months (extension subject to funding);
• PhD students are placed in scale 10: € 3.493 to € 5.504 gross for full-time employment (depending on education and experience);
• Besides a good salary you will receive an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance;
• Holiday hours: 186,4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours;
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension;
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way;
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.
• Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

Amsterdam UMC

As postdoc, you will work in the Neuroscale team of the section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking (CNAB) at the department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc. Our mission is to unravel the pathological sensitivity of neuroimaging outcome measures in neurodegnerative diseases, to better understand the application of MRI in research and the clinical setting.

Here is a link to the research team: Clinical Neuroanatomy & Biobanking. Moreover, you will contribute to the program Neurodegeneration and Amsterdam Parkinson and Movement Disorder Centre.

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Dr. L. Jonkman via l.e.jonkman@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Kim Hooijmans, Recruitment advisor, via k.i.m.hooijmans@amsterdamumc.nl.

A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.