DZNE is a world-leading, internationally oriented center for cutting-edge research into diseases of the nervous system. With its outstanding research personalities and state-of-the-art infrastructure, it offers the best conditions for publications and results at the highest level.

Around 1,200 employees at 10 locations in Germany are working together on new approaches to better understand and effectively combat diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and ALS.

That is our goal - maybe soon yours too? Become part of the DZNE and support us in realizing our research strategy!

PhD position in the group “Neuroimaging in Movement Disorders” (m/w/d)

Code: 1395/2025/2

The group “Neuroimaging in Movement Disorders” work with neuroimaging and clinical data with the long-term aim of achieving a better biological characterization of the spectrum of Lewy body disease (LBD), ranging from dementia with Lewy bodies to Parkinson’s disease. Instead of focusing solely on group average differences, we aim to study and better understand disease heterogeneity by looking at patient-specific patterns of changes in neuroimaging data. We hypothesize that one important biological driver of heterogeneity in LBD is the differential breakdown of different neurotransmitter systems leading to patient-specific patterns of brain neurotransmitter alterations.

Your role in detail

The PhD candidate will work on the development and validation of robust neuroimaging biomarkers that assess the integrity of the dopaminergic, cholinergic, serotonergic, and noradrenergic systems in vivo and are derived from imaging data that are readily available in clinical practice to ensure widespread future applicability (structural MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging data). Based on the developed neurotransmitter markers, the second aim is to identify subgroups of patients with similar patterns of neurotransmitter changes using data-driven subtyping and to characterize them with respect to symptomatology and longitudinal disease progression. The developed methods will be applicable beyond the field of LBD and will have value in the study of other neurodegenerative diseases and ageing.

Job description
•    Analysis of neuroimaging data (MRI, DTI, PET)
•    Application of statistics/machine learning to large-scale neuroimaging and clinical datasets
•    Preparation of manuscripts for publication in international scientific journals
•    Presentation of findings at local, national, and international conferences

Your qualifications

•    A keen interest in neuroscience, the study of neurodegenerative diseases and neuroimaging techniques
•    Master’s degree in computational neuroscience, (neuro)psychology, cognitive science, biotechnology, computer science, data science (or a Master’s degree in a related field)
•    Programming experience in R, Python and/or Matlab
•    Knowledge of statistics/strong analytical skills
•    Solid knowledge of the English language
•    Good organizational, teamwork and communication skills

What our employees value

• Innovation and internationality - a forward-looking infrastructure, modern laboratory and office equipment, software tools and the opportunity for international exchange with your colleagues from 65 nations
• Work-life balance - we reconcile work and private life with flexible working hours, 30 days' holiday (On top free on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) and subsidised job/ Germany ticket options
• Family-conscious corporate culture - because we know that family is important, we support you with family services
• Health promotion – through our extensive range of company health programmes, in cooperation with Sozialwerk.Bund
• Focus on development - training programmes tailored to your individual needs and annual HR-development meetings for concrete prospects and potential development
• Remuneration and conditions according to TVöD-Bund - including annual special payment, capital-forming benefits and VBL supplementary pension scheme, in line with the responsibility and seniority of the role
• Personalised Onboarding - for a good start to your new professional challenge
• The position is limited for the duration of the PhD

If you have any questions regarding the advertised position, please contact Dr. Julia Schumacher (julia.schumacher@dzne.de; 0381-4949520)

We look forward to receiving your application!

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Application deadline

24.03.2025