PhD candidate position in advanced 3D light sheet imaging of neuroinflammatory and...

The successful candidate has a Master degree in Engineering, Physics, Medicine, Neuroscience, Biology or a related field with experience in light microscopy and a strong interest in light sheet microscopy. We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative team player with excellent communication skills, who is willing and able to work productively in an interdisciplinary research team. Beyond experience with light microscopy and histology techniques, a clear pre is additional experience in: optical clearing techniques, light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) techniques or modern microscopy data analysis. The candidate should have an excellent command of English (both written and oral) and proven academic writing skills.

The successful candidate will be embedded in the Multiscale Imaging of Brain Connectivity section within the Department of Cognitive Neuroscience (Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University), headed by prof. Alard Roebroeck, and in the Neuroinflammation & Autoimmunity lab, headed by prof. Pilar Martinez, in the division for Translational Neuroscience in the School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences). The successful candidate will play a central role in the joint initiative of these two partners to advance light sheet imaging for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases research.

Current research topics within the Multiscale Imaging of Brain Connectivity section are focused on human cortical architecture, cortical microcircuits, and the application of human brain connectomics techniques to vision, learning and brain disorders. In the Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, research questions about the structure and function of the brain are addressed through EEG, NIRS, TMS, as well as 3, 7 and 9.4 T MRI. The school for Mental Health and Neuroscience aims to improve the understanding of disorders of the nervous system, and the care for patients afflicted by these disorders. Advanced techniques of neuroscience, genetics, psychology and epidemiology are used to obtain an integrated understanding of the mechanisms, course and treatments for diseases of the nervous system. Such advanced techniques include novel imaging, monitoring and neuromodulation developments. The successful candidate will operate at the interface of these two research cultures.