Postdoctoral Position in Neuroimaging Data Analysis and Computational Modelling

About the position 

A 2-year, (100%) postdoctoral fellowship position with possibility of one year extension is open for an outstanding applicant within the field of computational neuroscience focused on image analysis and modeling of data obtained with multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Alzheimer´s disease patients. The position is based at the Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, NTNU, and will be integrated with the newly established Translational Neuroscience Clinical-Academic Group (CAG) for Alzheimer´s Disease.

The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions.

The Department

The Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science (INB) conducts research and education covering a wide range of areas related to the nervous system, sense organs, the head, motion control and movement. The Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science is organized into groups, Geriatrics, movement and stroke (GeMS), Ear-nose-throat, Eye diseases and Oral surgery, Neurology and neurosurgery, programmes of professions studies: Audiology Occupational therapy and Physioterapy and Orthopeadics and Rheumatology. The ambition of the Department is through interdisciplinary work to create leading education and research for the future.

The Translational Neuroscience Clinical-Academic Group (CAG) for Alzheimer´s Disease

The newly established Translational Neuroscience CAG for Alzheimer´s disease (AD) is a strategic initiative from the Health Trust of Mid-Norway that aims to coordinate and strengthen the collaboration and synergies between ongoing research activities on AD in the region as well as foster new collaborations towards the unifying goal of providing novel insights into the pathogenetic mechanisms, diagnostics and treatment of AD patients and to create regional health services that benefit patients, caregivers and the society. This includes creating increased opportunities to provide personalized care and treatment to AD patients in the future.

Position description/Duties of the position

The postdoc will be responsible for image analysis and modeling of multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of patients clinically diagnosed with AD from

Specifically, the first task requires extraction, quality assessment and subsequent analysis of images acquired with 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRIs obtained through routine MRI examination of AD patients within our health region currently stored in relevant databases.  Furthermore, the postdoc will be responsible for MRI image analysis including, T1/T2 volumetric MRI,  resting and active state fMRI, diffusion tensor imaging tractography and computational modelling of relevant data from a new prospective clinical neurimaging study of AD patients.  The MRI acquisition will be done both on a 3T and/or a new 7T clinical MR scanner at our institution.  The post-image modelling will focus on analysis of longitudinal changes in the brain connectome with progression in AD pathology.

Requirements

A postdoctoral research fellowship is a qualifying position in which the main objective is entry to academic level positions. You must have completed either a Norwegian doctoral degree or a corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in computational neuroscience, or mathematics, or physics.

• PhD in computational neuroscience, mathematics or physics
• Excellent computer skills including programming
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Strong motivation for the position
• Proven ability to work independently, but also as part of a team

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant   

Qualifications 

• The ideal candidate should have a computational neuroscience, mathematics, or physics background with documented previous experience in relevant MRI image analysis and modelling.
• The candidate should be energetic and proactive and should be able to demonstrate initiative as well as ability to work both independently but also to interact and work well as part of an interdisciplinary team. 
• Meticulous attention to detail, excellent organisation, time management, and communication skills are key prerequisites for this position.

Emphasis will be placed on

• Documented experience with graph theoretical modelling of brain connectivity and a background in neuroscience will be an advantage
• Ability to work and/or collaborate with interdisciplinary environments
• Excellent communication skills, oral and written
• Relevant publications record
• Relevant experience from clinical studies will be an advantage

We offer 

• Challenging and exciting work with access to state-of-the-art and emerging technologies
• A good working environment
• Excellent opportunities for personal development through active collaboration and interaction with interdisciplinary environments across the region, nationally and abroad
• Good pension, insurance and loan schemes through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 
• employee benefits 

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 545 300 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. 

The employment period is 2 years, with possibility of extension for another year.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work. 

The position is funded by the Liaison Committee for Education, Research and Innovation in Central Norway (Samarbeidsorganet HMN-NTNU) through the strategic programme Clinical-Academic Groups (CAG).

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis. 

About the application 

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.  

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result. 

The candidate’s motivation, skills and personal qualifications for the position and project should be described in a short application letter. The application should contain the following attachments:

• Applicant’s CV, certificates and diplomas. Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree: http://ec.europa.eu/education/tools/diploma-supplement_en.htm
• Contact information for two references (including email addresses and telephone number)
• For applicants from non-English speaking countries: documentation of English competence (see section above)
• Other relevant information/attachments.
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 works). Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well. 

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation. 

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. 

Candidates from non-English speaking countries outside the Nordic countries should provide official documentation of their English competence. Approved tests are TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). The following results are required: TOEFL: 600 / writing 4.5 (paper-based test), 92 / writing 22 (internet- based test) IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted) CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

NTNU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from both EU/EEA and non-EU countries. The university is strongly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from members of ethnic minorities.

More information regarding moving to Trondheim, Norway and working at NTNU: International Reseacher Support

General information 

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background.  NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions, and has a number of resources to promote equality

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted. 

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants. 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Axel Sandvig, e-mail [email protected]

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Bente Kristin Årbogen Andersen, e-mail: [email protected]

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI) .  

Application deadline: 03.10.2021 

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

The Department of Neuroscience and Movement Science (INB) is an ambitious department in strong development. Great diversity in medicine and health disciplines is a hallmark of the department. We give priority to social relevance and quality in both education and research.

Several of our groups of researchers and teaching staff are at the forefront of their fields in Norway and internationally. Our ambition: “Through interdisciplinary collaboration, INB creates forward-looking education and research that lead the way in improving health and function.”
Read more about the Department here: www.ntnu.edu/inb

Deadline 3rd October 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service