Postdoc in Neuroimaging, Neurodiversity and Brain Evolution

The Connectome Lab at the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, is seeking a Postdoc in Neuroimaging, Neurodiversity and Brain Evolution.

The project aims to understand how variation in brain anatomy and connectivity contributes to the remarkable diversity of the human brain, and how these features relate to principles of brain evolution. We will combine large-scale human neuroimaging datasets with comparative datasets across species to investigate variation in brain structure, connectivity and functional organization.

A central goal is to understand which aspects of brain organization are highly conserved, which show substantial variation between individuals, and which features may have emerged or expanded during human brain evolution. The project therefore brings together neuroimaging, connectomics, comparative neuroscience, AI and computational neuroscience.

You will work with large structural MRI, diffusion MRI and resting-state fMRI datasets and develop and apply computational approaches to quantify variation in brain organization across individuals, populations and species.

You will be part of the computational neuroimaging Lab led by Prof. Martijn van den Heuvel and work in an interdisciplinary environment with researchers from neuroimaging, computational neuroscience, genetics, psychology, psychiatry and artificial intelligence.

Your duties

• analyse large-scale structural MRI, diffusion MRI and resting-state fMRI datasets
• develop and apply pipelines for cortical reconstruction, tractography, functional connectivity and connectome analysis
• investigate individual variation and neurodiversity in brain structure and connectivity
• use LLM and ML to mine and analyze large datasets
• perform comparative analyses of human and non-human brain organization in the context of brain evolution
• integrate results across neuroimaging datasets and imaging modalities
• develop computational and statistical approaches for analysing brain networks
• contribute to reproducible and open neuroimaging workflows
• supervise MSc and PhD students
• collaborate with researchers within the Connectome Lab, CNCR and international research networks
• author and co-author scientific publications
• present findings at national and international scientific meetings
• contribute to the lab, department and have teaching activities where appropriate

Requirements

PhD in neuroscience, neuroimaging, computational neuroscience, biomedical engineering, physics, computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline

Extensive hands-on experience with neuroimaging analysis is essential. In particular, we are looking for demonstrated experience with several of the following:

• structural MRI and cortical reconstruction, including FreeSurfer
• diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), tractography and structural connectivity
• resting-state fMRI and functional connectivity analysis
• FSL and other commonly used neuroimaging software packages
• postdocs with experience in AI/LLM are particularly invited to apply
• processing and quality control of large neuroimaging datasets
• connectome and network neuroscience analyses

Strong programming skills are essential. You should have substantial experience with scientific programming in Python, MATLAB, R, Bash and/or comparable languages, and be comfortable developing and maintaining reproducible analysis pipelines. Experience with one or more of the following would be an advantage:

• large-scale neuroimaging datasets such as UK Biobank, HCP or comparable resources
• comparative or cross-species neuroimaging
• brain atlases, surface-based analysis and registration
• machine learning or multivariate statistics
• LLM
• high-performance computing
• open-source software development and version control
• network science and computational modelling

We particularly value candidates who enjoy working with complex data, think critically about methodology, and are interested in developing new approaches rather than only applying existing pipelines. You should also:

• have a strong interest in neurodiversity and/or brain evolution
• be able to work independently as well as collaboratively
• have good scientific communication skills
• have an excellent command of written and spoken English
• proficiency in Dutch is considered an important asset, particularly for contributing to teaching activities and engaging with students
• support open and reproducible science and be willing to share tools and data with the wider scientific community

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.706,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.760,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

Employer

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Research environment

You will join the Connectome Lab at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Our research focuses on understanding the architecture of the human brain and how its network organization relates to cognition, individual variation, brain disorders and evolution. You will work in a multidisciplinary team of PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and students with backgrounds spanning neuroimaging, network neuroscience, genetics, artificial intelligence, computational neuroscience and psychology. The project is embedded within the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), providing a highly interdisciplinary research environment and opportunities for collaboration within VU Amsterdam and with national and international research groups.

Faculty of Science

Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity

Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Additional information

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.

Please submit:

• a motivation letter describing your research interests, relevant neuroimaging expertise and programming experience;
• your curriculum vitae, including a publication list;
• the names and contact details of two scientific referees.

In your motivation letter, please explicitly describe your experience with Computational Modeling, LLM, diffusion MRI/DWI, resting-state fMRI and scientific programming, including examples of analyses or pipelines you have developed or used.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Working at VU Amsterdam

Working at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam means contributing to a better world. Working beyond the confidence of your own field, working with an open mind and working for the benefit of society. Read more