Open PhD position in neurophysiology of lower urinary tract function

Balgrist University Hospital, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neuro-Urology
Open PhD position in neurophysiology of lower urinary tract function
100 %
We are looking for a highly motivated and scientifically interested candidate to conduct clinical research joining neurophysiology and neuroimaging with neuro-urology in humans. This post is embedded in the research environment of the Department of Neuro-Urology and the Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Zürich, and Balgrist University Hospital in Zürich, where you will be working in an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals, neuroscientists, physicists, biologists, human movement scientists, pharmacologists, and electrical engineers.
Your responsibilities
You will be involved in a nation-wide randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind clinical trial investigating transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in patients with acute spinal cord injury to prevent neurogenic detrusor overactivity (SNSF project , supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). You will be using neuroimaging techniques (neurophysiological assessments, electroencephalography, (functional) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) in several projects also in collaboration with internationally highly recognized centres in the field of neuro-urology. Extending ongoing and previous successful projects in the interdisciplinary team at the Balgrist University Hospital (Spinal Cord Injury Center ), you will specifically work on the investigation and characterization of neural correlates in different patient populations with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction.
These projects are likely to have large impact in the fields of neuro-urology, neuroimaging, neurology, and neuro-rehabilitation, hopefully resulting in new clinical assessment tools and further improving medical care. You will work and perform clinical and neurophysiological assessments in close collaboration with study nurses/research assistants and other PhD students. Together, you will be responsible for the organisation and daily conduct of the studies (at the patient bedside and in different study centers), data recording, image acquisition (MRI scanning) and analysis, the presentation of results on conferences, and the preparation of publications in internationally peer-reviewed journals.
Your profile

• We expect an open-minded, interactive personality with a strong interest in clinical research, who shows extraordinary initiative and motivation
• Master's degree or equivalent in (neuro-/human-) biology, pharmacology, medicine, biomedical engineering, neuroscience or related field
• Strong interest in neurophysiology and neuroimaging techniques
• Good statistical and computer skills (R, SPSS, stata, Matlab, Microsoft Office)
• Proficiency in English and fluent in German (additional French is a plus)
• Good communication, organisational, and motivational skills
• Team minded, flexible with the required tact and sensitivity for dealing with (disabled) patients
• Experience with neuroimaging software - e.g. MATLAB, eeglab, Brain Vision products, SPM, FSL, Python – is desired
• Experience with neurophysiological techniques (EMG, ECoG, or MEG) and (f)MRI is an advantage

What we offer
We offer varied and interesting work in an inspiring and socially relevant environment.
Diversity and inclusion are important to us.
Place of work
Balgrist Campus
Start of employment
Employment start date to be mutually agreed.
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