Postdoctoral studies in neuroimaging in aging and dementia (scholarship)

The Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS) conducts world leading research in aging, dementia, epidemiology and care sciences. This research extends from basic molecular and cell levels to clinical research and societal studies. NVS educates almost a third of KI students at basic and advanced levels. The Department has approximately 540 employees and a revenue 2023 of 530 million SEK. It comprises seven divisions, located at Campus Flemingsberg and Campus Solna.

We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow for studies in brain degeneration in Lewy Body dementia (DLB) using advanced brain imaging methods. You will conduct research within the framework of a leading EU-project within the European Lewy Body dementia consortium and collaborate with reaserchers at Karolinska Institutet as well as international partners.

The research group

The postdoctoral fellowship is established in Dr. Daniel Ferreira's research group, within the division of Clinical Geriatrics, department of neurobiology, care sciences and society (NVS). The research group's workplaces are located in the Neo-building at Karolinska Institute South Campus Flemingsberg (https://staff.ki.se/neo ).

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated scientist who is interested being a part of a team with a strong focus on neuroimaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) and its applications in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

The postdoctoral fellow will be primarily involved in a leading EU project on dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), which is part of the European DLB consortium .

Dementia Lewy Body is the second most frequent form of neurodegenerative dementia, right after Alzheimer’s disease. The goal of this project is to advance our current understanding of brain degeneration and disease progression in DLB by using state-of-the-art and advanced neuroimaging methods. The postdoctoral fellow will use neuroimaging software to investigate markers of neurodegeneration such as cortical thickness, regional volume, and hypometabolism, as well as methods developed in-house to assess brain cholinergic system and other aspects of neurodegeneration. Thus, the project involves an exciting mix of neuroimaging techniques and advanced mathematical modeling.

An important task is to harmonize neuroimaging data across EU centers and perform quality control and curate the research database. The postdoctoral fellow will also be a helping hand to coordinate neuroimaging studies within the European DLB consortium and other international cohorts as well as use data from Karolinska University Hospital. The postdoctoral fellow will conduct research both independently and in close collaboration with the group leader, the other members of the research group as well as other research groups in the department and international collaborants.

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent. A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent. To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

We are looking for a committed and highly motivated researcher. Preferably, you have a PhD with a backround in engineering or brain-imaging as well as competence in data analysis and programming. You have basic knowledge in brain diseases, dementia or cognition.
Experience in processing brain imaging data, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) is an advantage.  Since your tasks include writing manuscripts and presentation of scientific data, excellent oral and writing skills in English are required. You are well-organized, very good in planning and have the ability to work independently and keeping the deadlines. You are a highly motivated team-player with positive proactive attitudes towards cooperating with national and international collaborators.

This postdoctoral scholarship is for one year initially with the high possibility of extension for a further year, considering all the criteria are fulfilled.

Location: Karolinska Institutet, Campus Syd - Flemingsberg, building NEO, Department of NVS, Division of Clinical Geriatrics

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work.
• A complete list of publications.
• A summary of current work (no more than one page.)

Welcome to apply at the latest 17th of March, 2024.

The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment system.