PhD Position in Layer-fMRI of the Frontoparietal Cortex at 9.4 T

The newly established Cognitive Neuroscience & Neurotechnology group led by Dr. Romy Lorenz is looking for an enthusiastic PhD student to join our growing team at the Max Planck Institute for Bio­logical Cybernetics in Tübingen, Germany.

Our lab focuses on advancing our understanding of the frontoparietal brain network mechanisms that underpin high-level cognition and adaptive behaviour. For this, we pursue an interdisciplinary research programme that allows studying this brain system at multiple levels of granularity. Our methodology in­volves subject-specific brain-computer interface technology, fMRI at 3 T, and ultrahigh (i.e., 7 T and 9.4 T) magnetic field strengths (for resolving cortical layers), EEG, non-invasive brain stimulation, as well as machine learning. You can find out more about our work at https://www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/711763/cognitive-neuroscience-neurotechnology.

We are seeking an ambitious PhD student who will work on the exciting field of ultrahigh resolution fMRI that allows to investigate the human cortex at the scale of layers and columns. You will in­vesti­gate the precise extent and topography of the frontoparietal network within individual healthy volun­teers using dense-sampling protocols and understand how the topography of the frontoparietal net­work is affected by layer-specific connectivity. The position will involve data acquisition in healthy volunteers with different fMRI sequences (e.g., GE-BOLD, VASO, bSSFP) and the development of novel data analytical techniques.

The ideal candidate should have a master’s degree in cognitive (neuro)science, psychology, computer science, biomedical or electrical engineering, physics, or a related discipline. A strong background in fMRI data analysis (e.g., FSL, FreeSurfer, ANTS) and very good programming skills in Bash on Linux, MATLAB, and/or Python are required. Prior experience in MRI data acquisition and experience with ultra­high resolution fMRI (e.g., at 7 T) is desirable but not necessary. Equally, experience with machine learning methods, code sharing platforms (e.g. GitHub), and high-performance computing clusters is highly desirable.

The Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics offers a world-leading research environment with access to the latest cutting-edge MRI hardware (including a Siemens 9.4 T and Prisma 3 T for humans as well as a 14.2T small animal system) and other excellent research facilities (EEG, eye-tracking, fMRI-TMS). The PhD student will receive generous support for professional travel and research needs (ap­pro­xi­mately 2,500 euros / year). Additionally, the student will have the opportunity to become part of the Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience that provides training courses, summer schools, and con­feren­ces to further educate doctoral students. Further, the Institute is part of the Tübingen Neuro Campus (with more than 100 active groups), offering a vibrant community of international researchers and enriching environment of collaboration.

The position is available from May 2024 on and remains open until filled. The salary is paid in ac­cor­dance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (65%, E 13 TV-L, amounting to appro­xi­mately 2,000 euros net per month). The Max Planck Society seeks to employ more handicapped people and strongly encourages them to apply. Furthermore, we actively support the compatibility of work and family life. The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity.

To apply, please send your application containing a personal state­ment describing your personal quali­fications, research inte­rests, and moti­vation (max. two pages), CV including publi­cation list, aca­demic certificates / transcript of records, names and contact details of three referees, and desired starting date as a single PDF file with the subject line “Application for PhD-1: Spatial specification” to Dr. Romy Lorenz (romy.lorenz@tuebingen.mpg.de). Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis and considered until the position is filled.