PhD Position - Modelling Human Brain Development at the Cellular Level

Work group:

INM-1 - Strukturelle und funktionelle Organisation des Gehirns

PHD Thesis

We are seeking a PhD trainee to join the Multiscale Neuroanatomy team ( https://multiscale-neuroanatomy.github.io/ target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">multiscale-neuroanatomy.github.io ) in the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine - Structural and Functional Organisation of the Brain (INM-1). The team develops theories on how the cellular organisation of the human brain gives rise to complex functional dynamics. The PhD project involves creating a generative growth model of human brain development, based on detailed investigations of post mortem brain samples as well as in vivo MRI. The position is suitable for a researcher that aspires to work at the cutting edge of computational neuroscience. The institute INM-1 integrates cytoarchitecture, connectivity, receptor densities and genetics to create multimodal brain atlases, in cooperation with the Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC). The JSC operates the most powerful supercomputers in Europe. The PhD position will be embedded within this interdisciplinary network of researchers, providing unique opportunities to undertake world leading research.

Your Job:

• Generating mechanistic models of human neurodevelopment
• Developing automated pipelines to analyse and compare cellular distributions in histological sections of brain tissue
• Creating a translation dictionary between ultra-high-resolution histology (1μm pixels) and in vivo MRI (~1mm voxels)
• Close cooperation with an interdisciplinary team of neuroscientists, computer scientists and physicists
• Production of high-quality scientific articles
• National and international travel to present at scientific conferences and strengthen inter-lab cooperations

Your Profile:

• Master’s degree in neuroscience, computer science, biology, physics or a related field of study
• Programming skills in Bash, Python and/or Matlab
• Prior experience with image processing is desirable
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• Become a team member of a highly motivated working group, as well as an international and interdisciplinary working environment at one of Europe’s largest research establishments
• Outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure
• Continuous mentoring by your scientific advisor
• Extensive company health management
• Ideal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly corporate policy
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/judocs target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">">www.fz-juelich.de/judocs
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

The position is initially for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 65 % of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_DocsWe welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.