NETHERLAND; PhD Position in Imaging Genetics of Intelligence

Job description
Understanding how genetic variation affects brain functioning related to general intelligence is one of the greatest scientific challenges of the 21st century. Advances in both molecular genetics and functional and structural neuroimaging have provided the tools necessary to explore the effects of genetic variants on brain functioning. Identifying the brain mechanisms that underlie intelligence is paramount to our understanding of how individual differences in general intelligence emerge and how such differences may confer vulnerability to cognitive dysfunction. This project aims to identify these brain mechanisms by combining expertise from two excellent research groups, using an imaging genetics approach towards human intelligence. This project is a collaboration between the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, and the Centre for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam. You will be based within the Cognitive Neurology group at the Donders Institute ( http://www.ru.nl/donders) and will have frequent contacts with the genomics group at CNCR ( http://www.cncr.nl).

Requirements
University Graduate
You have a Masters degree (or equivalent) in a field related to cognitive neuroscience (e.g. experimental/cognitive psychology, biology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence). Excellent candidates from other scientific backgrounds will also be considered. Good programming skills (Matlab) are highly desirable. Familiarity with neuroimaging techniques (functional and structural) and in genetic statistics are certainly an asset. Proficiency in oral and written English as well as good social skills are also required.

Organization
Radboud University Nijmegen Donders Institute, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging
Strategically located in Europe, Radboud University Nijmegen is one of the leading academic communities in the Netherlands. A place with a personal touch, where top-flight education and research take place on a beautiful green campus in modern buildings with state-of-art facilities.

The Centre for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR) was founded jointly by the VU University Amsterdam and the VU University Medical Centre. At the centre, neurobiologists, clinical and preclinical neuroscientists and psychologists collaborate to contribute to the development of a new integrative neuroscience, rooted in molecular biology and genetics and extending all the way to behaviour and cognition in health and disease. The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour comprises the Centres for Cognition, Cognitive Neuroimaging and Neuroscience. The mission of the Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging is to conduct cutting-edge research in cognitive neuroscience. Much of the rapid progress in this field is driven by novel neuroimaging techniques scanning the activity and structure of the human brain in vivo a field of research in which the Centre plays a leading role. The research themes cover central cognitive functions such as perception, action, attention, cognitive control, memory, and language. The internationally renowned centre currently employs more than 100 PhD students and post-doctoral researchers of more than 20 nationalities. The centre is equipped with three MRI scanners (7T, 3T, 1.5T), a 275 channels MEG system, an EEG-TMS laboratory, several (MR-compatible) EEG systems, and high-performance computational facilities. English is the lingua franca at the centre.

Conditions of employment

Maximum salary amount in Euro’s a month 2,612
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Initially 18 months with possible extension by 2.5 yrs.
Maximum hours per week: 40

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Prof.dr. G. Fernández
Telephone number: +31 24 3610749
E-mail address:g.fernandez@donders.ru.nl

Dr. D. Posthuma
Telephone number: +31 20 5982823
E-mail address:danielle.posthuma@cncr.vu.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links.

* About the organization
* About the department
* About the function
* Radboud University Nijmegen

Application
You can apply for this job before 15-09-2009 by sending your application to:

Donders Instituut, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging
Radboud University Nijmegen, Donders Institute, t.a.v. Ms. Stijns
Kapittelweg 29
6525 EN NIJMEGEN, NL

E-mail address:neuroimaging@donders.ru.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number 30.07.09.