Job ID: 95692

postdoc (2.5 years) in cognitive neuroscience of ageing at the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 22 October 2022

Employment Start Date: 15 November 2022

Contract Length: 2.5 years

City: Magdeburg

Country: Germany

Institution: Otto-von Guericke University

Department: IKND, Medical Faculty,

Description:

A 2.5-year full-time postdoctorate research position will be available from 15th of November 2022 or later at the Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg in the Lab for Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience across the Lifespan and Neuroimaging in Dementia (http://www.iknd.ovgu.de/AG+Dr_+H%C3%A4mmerer.html), at the Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), supervised by Prof. Dorothea Hämmerer. The lab works in close collaboration with Prof. Hämmerers’ Developmental Psychology lab in Innsbruck: https://www.hammerer-lab.com.

Research at the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab focuses on understanding why neuromodulatory systems are vulnerable in ageing and dementia. The neuromodulatory nuclei of the brainstem, and in particular the noradrenergic system, are among the epicenters of dementia pathologies in the brain. We use brain imaging methods that allow studying the earliest stages of changes in the noradrenergic system and investigate how their decline affects cognitive and physiological functions in ageing and early Alzheimer’s. In exploring this, we use a variety of cognitive and physiological measures (cognitive tests, eyetracking, drug interventions, blood analyses, functional and structural MRI with a special focus on brainstem imaging).

The candidate’s job will be to carry out research in the context of studies investigating the effects of noradrenergic drugs on cognitive and physiological functions in ageing and early Alzheimer’s dementia (MCI, mild cognitive impairment). In this context, the candidate will be in particular responsible for acquiring and analysing MRI data acquired at the local 7T scanner in MCI patients and elderly participants. Student assistants will be present to help with data acquisition and participant recruitment.  The lab has close ties with the Developmental Psychology lab at the University of Innsbruck and the Wellcome Trust Center for Human Neuroimaging at University College London. A participation in these collaborations is expected.

The candidate will be immersed in a stimulating and growing international research field that investigates the relevance of changes in the noradrenergic system in old age and dementia. The candidate is made familiar with the most important current methods of examining the noradrenergic system in old age and integrated into the international research community on the subject. He/she leaves the postdoc with an arsenal of methods that represents a unique selling point in a rapidly growing area of ageing research.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD in a relevant discipline such as Psychology, Biology, Neuroscience, Computer science, Medicine, Physics, or another relevant subject for neurocognitive aging research. We also welcome applications from candidates which have already completed a postdoc.

The Medical Faculty at the Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg offers a stimulating and friendly work environment. With its three 3T and two 7T research scanners and close links to the local German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (https://www.dzne.de/ueber-uns/standorte/magdeburg/), the postdoc is situated in an exceptional work environment for research on cognitive neuroscience of ageing. The project will also have close ties with the local CRC 1436 – Neural Resources of Cognition (https://sfb1436.de/), which focuses on exploring hidden potentials in the brain for cognitive ageing.

We encourage submission of applications as soon as possible and no later than the 22nd of October 2022. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. The successful applicant will be employed as a full-time postdoctorate and paid according to TV-L E13 ranging from 48.888 euros to 70.464 euros (depending on experience on the job) before taxes per annum.

For more information and for how to apply see here: www.hammerer-lab.com

If you have any questions, feel free to email: dorothea.haemmerer@med.ovgu.de

We are looking forward to your application!!