Doctoral Research Associate / EU MSCA Fellow 100 % at Neurorehabilitation Research Group of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at KU Leuven

8 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU Leuven

Department

Neurorehabilitation Research Group of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Field

Psychological sciences » Cognitive science
Psychological sciences » Behavioural sciences
Neurosciences » Neurophysiology
Neurosciences » Neuropsychology
Medical sciences » Health sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

26 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / MSCA

Reference Number

DC05

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101119878

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Neurological factors challenging bimanual motor control and learning in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

 

KU Leuven is an international community where innovative research forms the basis of all our academic programmes. Across the university, driven researchers and curious students continually gain new insights and use their knowledge to tackle the foremost challenges of our time. Founded in 1425, KU Leuven will celebrate its 600th anniversary in 2025, making it one of Europe's oldest universities. Currently, KU Leuven is a top-ranked university with a 45th position worldwide on THE Times Higher Education ranking. This doctoral project is situated in the Neurorehabilitation Research Group of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at KU Leuven. The mission of the Neurorehabilitation Research Group is to advance the evidence-base of neurorehabilitation of child and adult populations with acute and chronic neurological conditions. In doing so, our research activities tackle both fundamental and translational research questions aimed at increasing our understanding of neurobehavioral and neuromuscular mechanisms, relevant for innovation and refinement of rehabilitation interventions. The clinical challenge of our research group lies in addressing the complexity of the brain and its role in neuromotor function, including deficits in the motor, sensory, social and cognitive domain. This project is linked to a larger concluded project on neurological determinants of bimanual motor control in children with unilateral cerebral palsy, running in close collaboration with the Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven; the cerebral palsy reference centre UZ Leuven and the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University. We will welcome 1 doctoral candidate, in a lively team of driven researchers and dedicated clinicians. This doctoral project will be part of a joint PhD program with Hasselt University. KU Leuven will be the main institution.

Project

For the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network “Translational Research Network in Motor Disorder Rehabilitation: Advancing understanding of variability in motor control and learning, to enhance clinical practice (TReND)”, we are offering one fixed-term full-time position as a doctoral research associate for 3 years starting from September 1st 2024. More Information about the project can be found at: https://www.uni-muenster.de/Sportwissenschaft/Neuromotor-Behavior/forsc… . The EU Researcher Allowances will be used to cover both the employee's as the employer's mandatory charges.

The doctoral project will focus on an advanced understanding of bimanual motor control and learning in children with unilateral Cerebral Palsy (uCP), contributing to tailor-made intervention programs. The aim is 1) to improve our current understanding of bimanual motor control and learning in children with uCP by focussing on an in-depth quantification using innovative robotic (Kinarm) and instrumented assessments with special focus on the structure of variability on a sensorimotor behaviour level; 2) to examine the role of neurological factors challenging bimanual motor control and learning in children with uCP. Specifically, to investigate in how far deficits in bimanual motor control depend on corpus callosum integrity, type of the CST wiring pattern, mirror movements and integrity of the sensory systems; 3) to investigate how neurological factors predict variability in treatment response following a sensori-motor programme to improve bimanual motor control and learning. Hereto, we will implement behavioral assessments, diffusion MRI and Transcranial Magnetic stimulation.

 

Profile

Fellow Profile

• You have a master’s degree in Neuroscience, (Bio)medical Sciences, Occupational Sciences, Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences or an equivalent degree. 
• MSCA mobility rule must be implemented: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment (September 1st 2024)
• Candidates are not allowed to hold a doctoral degree.
• You have experience or a genuine interest in pediatric/neuromotor rehabilitation in children with a (motor) disability.
• Experience with scripting/programming (e.g. R, MATLAB,...) and/or solid knowledge of neuroimaging analysis (structural and diffusion MRI) and neuroscientific research will be of additional value, but is not a prerequisite. 
• Mastering of the English language (spoken and written) is mandatory.
• You are a teamplayer, have good problem-solving skills, are well-organized, flexible and resistant to stress. You are able to work independently and take responsibilities.
• International mobility of researchers is a key concept within the MSCA doctoral network framework. As such you are willing to visit network partners in Hasselt (Belgium) and London (UK) for a maximum duration of three months per visit, as well as willing to travel to different international network events.

Your tasks

• The position is tied to working towards a doctorate. 
• Communication and dissemination of research results to different target audiences and sectors (e.g., research, clinical and industry).
• Publication of research results in well ranked international journals and at highly recognized international conferences.
• Collaboration with an international consortium in the externally funded MSCA doctoral network TReND
• Participation in the network’s training programme including in person events (e.g., summer schools) and online events (e.g., lecture series, colloquia etc.).

 
Offer

• By joining the EU-funded Doctoral Network TReND you will join an interdisciplinary and intersectoral training network involving 6 beneficiaries, 2 employing associated partners and several associated partners. The network will provide online and in-person training to support the fellows in obtaining their doctorate degree including 2 secondments to consortium partners.
• Exciting multidisciplinary research in a collaborative network of top academic, industrial and clinical partners.
• State-of-the-art computing and imaging infrastructure to support your research.
• KU Leuven offers a variety of training courses including but not limited to presentation skills, writing skills, career developing skills, project management skills,... 
• KU Leuven has an extended sport infrastructure and offers a wide range of sports with an employee discount.
• You will be enrolled in our PhD training programme.
• The fellowship is awarded for a period of 3 years, starting from September 1st 2024. The initial application might be for 12 months, extended until 36 months upon a positive evaluation by the doctoral commission.
• A monthly gross salary (not including employer’s social contributions) of €2.947,24. 

 
Interested

Application process instructions

Recruitment process

Please note that the other network partners will also be involved in the selection process and that your documents will be passed on to the other members of the MSCA doctoral network in this context. In addition to the position offered here, 11 more doctoral projects are available in the TReND network (overview of projects can be found here: https://www.uni-muenster.de/Sportwissenschaft/Neuromotor-Behavior/forsc… ). 

The following documents must be included in the application: 

Motivation letter in English (max. 2 pages)

CV in English (preferably in EU pass format) that should include details about education/qualifications, work experience, language skills and other relevant skills

Bachelor’s and master’s degree certificate including a Transcript of records (if documents are not in English or Dutch language please provide an official translation)

A copy of a valid ID document (passport or other);

Two reference contacts (Name, Surname, Role, Organization, Email). Reference contacts might be contacted to by us to provide a reference letter.

Any other document the candidate considers important 

All applications received within the deadline will be evaluated by the TReND selection committee and suitable candidates will be invited for online interviews including an assignment.

Application deadline is April 26 2024 (23:59 CET).

 

We welcome all applicants regardless of sex, nationality, ethnic or social background, religion or worldview, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to creating family-friendly working conditions. Part-time options are generally available.

 

For additional information about this specific fellow call, contact: Dr. Lisa Mailleux (+32 16 37 93 85; [email protected] ) or Prof. Dr. Katrijn Klingels ([email protected] )

 

Statement regarding data protection

You share your information with us for the sole purpose of assessing the requirements for the selection process regarding the present fellow position. We respect that information, and we are careful to comply with our obligations under data protection laws while processing your application, in particular the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2016/679. Your data will not be disclosed to any third party. You have the right to obtain without undue delay: the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning you (art. 16 of the GDPR); the erasure of personal data concerning you (art. 16 of the GDPR); right to obtain restriction of processing (art. 18 of the GDPR). By submitting your application, you agree to these terms. 

 

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status.

Requirements

Research Field

Other

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60319615?lang=en

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Neurorehabilitation Research Group of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at KU Leuven

Country

Belgium

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60319615?lang=en

Contact

City

Leuven

Website

https://gbiomed.kuleuven.be/english/research/50000743/research/research-units/enrgy

E-Mail

[email protected]
[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED