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PhD position in Cognitive Neuroscience  

 

Department:

Department of Psychology at the University of Zurich (Switzerland), Methods of 
Plasticity Research 
(http://secure-web.cisco.com/1yrXnmcLak8VcmE09mDHZoci-sk4X3q07igz895-SUBVrvpGAg2ru7ufy8eZC02-vXlOmQJyUAtHBK1eOyzTwuGxAYmdXH1hmfi0-NWdSesLj_ek2vqwMqDfFIqmB4_aMc_lAQNf6FkxllqY0zK_Zeg_vepMwzcpkPdP7OR8acdqlDhQzNnTSYe1-zpIBY-sBzQw_s8zhvSCNTiInUnx3Fhpwyc71VxXmIc0QEDQqU1BF0mah3UHYTVzuprY8uY1MZ0LdWKNy8PhtWWG_3QEM5Uec7Gc8QP8ufrwlS_S8ARwjAFRre5ucRtnlnG61mQcD/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.psychology.uzh.ch%2Fen%2Fchairs%2Fplafor.html
 
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Position:

PhD student (salary 54’000 USD/year)

 

Description of UZH unit:

Our lab develops novel methodological approaches to study variations in 
cognitive performance across the lifespan and along the continuum from healthy 
to pathological functioning. Specifically, we investigate the potential for 
plasticity, mechanisms for stabilization and compensation across the lifespan. 
For this, we acquire and analyze multimodal data sets, such as structural MRI, 
diffusion weighted data (DWI), simultaneous EEG and eye-tracking as well as 
behavioral data. From these rich data sets, we extract multivariate parameters 
and apply state-of-the-art methods, such as machine learning, functional 
network modelling, and longitudinal analyses. 

 

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will work on the Synapsis-foundation funded research 
project “Real-life activity tracking as pre-screening tool for early stages of 
Alzheimer disease”. The aim of the project is to investigate whether real-life 
activity measures, derived from wearable technology (e.g. GPS and accelerometer 
data), are sensitive to identify early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Further, 
we aim to provide evidence that these real-life activity measures are 
associated with current AD biomarkers (i.e. high Amyloid level and brain 
atrophy).

 

The student will be expected to disseminate study results in peer reviewed 
journals, and to supervise Master’s students. The candidate will work in the 
team of Prof. Nicolas Langer, who is also part of the Neuroscience Center 
Zurich (ZNZ) 
(https://secure-web.cisco.com/1j9dVWlEovAAe9t5FR6nKcRvk_0Yl721sHAUBF-hXb_iJz7Pnt2OQ-6sUoUDXDNg7sE0YKRA0mjbUktEMiHVo7s-Pocys7U9sHZPfD_Vf7NQKkHy8PR-jst8Ylcl771xwvSnk-Gn4tGxTi4hzfBO5tPy-juwTrnWTjzHZ5Zz_szGq5jy5EeFFvSABrX9TBUqdcJKNnPJcBjXKjdCXOQXJkIbulQi5xeEue-TSwW9XYk1yaX2gZBxYSLXXa7Y0c5F25vsNy8amuM-5OpRPqSNwPVrJ3AucUY7iX4mBRHmhlRCqK9ZWHuA3rCdbJi7_V-qS/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.neuroscience.uzh.ch%2Fen.html
 
<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1j9dVWlEovAAe9t5FR6nKcRvk_0Yl721sHAUBF-hXb_iJz7Pnt2OQ-6sUoUDXDNg7sE0YKRA0mjbUktEMiHVo7s-Pocys7U9sHZPfD_Vf7NQKkHy8PR-jst8Ylcl771xwvSnk-Gn4tGxTi4hzfBO5tPy-juwTrnWTjzHZ5Zz_szGq5jy5EeFFvSABrX9TBUqdcJKNnPJcBjXKjdCXOQXJkIbulQi5xeEue-TSwW9XYk1yaX2gZBxYSLXXa7Y0c5F25vsNy8amuM-5OpRPqSNwPVrJ3AucUY7iX4mBRHmhlRCqK9ZWHuA3rCdbJi7_V-qS/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.neuroscience.uzh.ch%2Fen.html>),
 which offers a renowned international PhD programme in Neuroscience. The 
candidate will work closely with the Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
(https://secure-web.cisco.com/1c97BxJICcB3NTZIZFQKFhpVHVc-8EJh72iy6rEy22EbOjQ0StXSnvQfEmbkONJtXIrIeOXFqahUTrzK-je1aOrh7O1Vg6NglGdt5l-V2_et4w5Zky-txgCOZFAjX8zErJRBT43RPJMJP-GStKAyB6aT8JsV0StgO4JZo5LoO1aa8bXp50BVUWAhv4-p6N1cP8SbOXr6O7dR1IXa6oCmM1yYDjnqj5Ul6p6rlbM5KNa_UG3_Xo3PJVRjV-ltqGNVKCem5eTy4zjnxUpAqTJ2GZmoc3QIT5C78Vwty3NZpLC3T8Pa2n430okZ8P518aTrl/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irem.uzh.ch%2Fen.html
 
<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1c97BxJICcB3NTZIZFQKFhpVHVc-8EJh72iy6rEy22EbOjQ0StXSnvQfEmbkONJtXIrIeOXFqahUTrzK-je1aOrh7O1Vg6NglGdt5l-V2_et4w5Zky-txgCOZFAjX8zErJRBT43RPJMJP-GStKAyB6aT8JsV0StgO4JZo5LoO1aa8bXp50BVUWAhv4-p6N1cP8SbOXr6O7dR1IXa6oCmM1yYDjnqj5Ul6p6rlbM5KNa_UG3_Xo3PJVRjV-ltqGNVKCem5eTy4zjnxUpAqTJ2GZmoc3QIT5C78Vwty3NZpLC3T8Pa2n430okZ8P518aTrl/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irem.uzh.ch%2Fen.html>),
 Geographic Information Systems 
(https://secure-web.cisco.com/10BeiM-zzcFs3UtSRm8gQk7oMwijYSyO4gQhISpbG9k_m6xAHXkJOUEVx0ACOxui2_hqJGAn_CYcInCMmoiSud-xbxNT-A427QTHGgf_HHHnXiA5RQX3Y7oT0qAdlkMJN8rb8dBxerQbXtFsq6WDAuDASSJJV7pFdlysjL7B-90Pg2oLVIes8j7YfeWH0tJstwqetlUYLGopiQccOFcCq7g01DVqMjVQVuRJDtEf3-mx4g4sS4o_WRx2rfJ8A51CYLKaQfqnBgXWJpNlOHLwdCS6YqCwEabP7vs6L6SP2r3P_Z6RpqqfgjxwqNzUr8ZVW/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.uzh.ch%2Fen%2Funits%2Fgis.html
 
<https://secure-web.cisco.com/10BeiM-zzcFs3UtSRm8gQk7oMwijYSyO4gQhISpbG9k_m6xAHXkJOUEVx0ACOxui2_hqJGAn_CYcInCMmoiSud-xbxNT-A427QTHGgf_HHHnXiA5RQX3Y7oT0qAdlkMJN8rb8dBxerQbXtFsq6WDAuDASSJJV7pFdlysjL7B-90Pg2oLVIes8j7YfeWH0tJstwqetlUYLGopiQccOFcCq7g01DVqMjVQVuRJDtEf3-mx4g4sS4o_WRx2rfJ8A51CYLKaQfqnBgXWJpNlOHLwdCS6YqCwEabP7vs6L6SP2r3P_Z6RpqqfgjxwqNzUr8ZVW/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.uzh.ch%2Fen%2Funits%2Fgis.html>),
 University Research Priority Programme from the University of Zurich “Dynamics 
of Healthy Aging” 
(https://secure-web.cisco.com/1ES7m6_j-xtuKVPJ2bSeckrMa9dywupWgezD1AphiCY6POdbj2WdGcwo1k12vYcA6gWoqbJWT9Ll62sCEEfCMBbcPqfdAFIvoL8wfv35j9JVDzK4OkBxsKNLyDvRK2EC8M1n11KpMqOluc3L1CWZU5TmMJ56xLLBdRbqjGfQvbSUN0kT92gVtOOam0bpXLPMDlxyxBWHet9c0VdNSx6qsQoKqnAdCM6JoHAANnknDCAg3mBppGsaCyBgfo1i8o4Xks5k_Pz_y-00CUccF30aSmEdRLMvdkgnYWoKrPxTlvn5ORRuMAwcm2T2xUznJOAou/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dynage.uzh.ch%2Fen.html
 
<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1ES7m6_j-xtuKVPJ2bSeckrMa9dywupWgezD1AphiCY6POdbj2WdGcwo1k12vYcA6gWoqbJWT9Ll62sCEEfCMBbcPqfdAFIvoL8wfv35j9JVDzK4OkBxsKNLyDvRK2EC8M1n11KpMqOluc3L1CWZU5TmMJ56xLLBdRbqjGfQvbSUN0kT92gVtOOam0bpXLPMDlxyxBWHet9c0VdNSx6qsQoKqnAdCM6JoHAANnknDCAg3mBppGsaCyBgfo1i8o4Xks5k_Pz_y-00CUccF30aSmEdRLMvdkgnYWoKrPxTlvn5ORRuMAwcm2T2xUznJOAou/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dynage.uzh.ch%2Fen.html>),
 and the Department of Computer Science at the ETH Zurich 
(https://secure-web.cisco.com/1lxmmD3IZNOWGQgMIQyHgzhT6k-IZxsdYUMVJGdRRZfNTk8FakltVgY3cb_4JqReSQj4uDrruYFrwKLYOw-58CklftIdCFWO6KKbxaWTKZG5VZg8A8qeKgwXP1fpt8tYodCE7jf_199oHLbxGhlI3gggfkrdn2OzeeOTBwulwPUX3YJ_3-QVWKGcfXBlnzg_Mm0Ad9P9x4jHA2O7wT9nGey1bcfV7IgD9QMwt7q_P8BAh_YDd8N4Y_9NJbFgQfCzmF_rmspxatYztpW1RoN7DyTZdzDde_K9N0uRK6Vh8RyZJCtJgUrJeLha3GMv9sVgk/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.systems.ethz.ch%2F
 
<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1lxmmD3IZNOWGQgMIQyHgzhT6k-IZxsdYUMVJGdRRZfNTk8FakltVgY3cb_4JqReSQj4uDrruYFrwKLYOw-58CklftIdCFWO6KKbxaWTKZG5VZg8A8qeKgwXP1fpt8tYodCE7jf_199oHLbxGhlI3gggfkrdn2OzeeOTBwulwPUX3YJ_3-QVWKGcfXBlnzg_Mm0Ad9P9x4jHA2O7wT9nGey1bcfV7IgD9QMwt7q_P8BAh_YDd8N4Y_9NJbFgQfCzmF_rmspxatYztpW1RoN7DyTZdzDde_K9N0uRK6Vh8RyZJCtJgUrJeLha3GMv9sVgk/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.systems.ethz.ch%2F>).

 

Workload %:

80 - 100%

 

Qualifications:

·      MSc degree in a field related to cognitive neuroscience (e.g., cognitive 
neuroscience, (neuro-)psychology, computer science, biomedical or electrical 
engineering)

·      Deep knowledge in data science (time-series data processing, feature 
engineering and analysis)

·       Proficiency in programming (in Python, Matlab or R) is a must

·       Knowledge in mobile and wearable digital technologies is desirable

·       Experience with amyloid PET imaging and/or structural MRI analyses are 
a plus

·       Training in machine learning is a plus

·      Excellent verbal and written English skills

 

Language requirements:

English

 

We offer:

·      To work in a team of highly motivated young researchers who are 
passionate about neuroscience, psychology and computer science

·      A very competitive salary (54’000 USD/year) and generous social benefits

·      Employment 3 years with the possibility of extension

·      Generous support for professional travel and research needs (~3’000 
USD/year)

·      An inspiring work environment within the Department of Psychology and 
the University of Zurich and part of the Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ) with 
many high-caliber collaborations (Department of Computer Science (ETH Zurich; 
Ce Zhang), Institute for Regenerative Medicine (UZH; Prof. Christoph Hock), 
Geographic Information Systems (UZH; Prof. Robert Weibel)

·      The opportunity to live in Zurich, one of the world’s most attractive 
cities

 

Please visit 
https://secure-web.cisco.com/1Gd2AFC0ba61SE-PzvsUt26JL6je1tQ1bXlro3LofYXN_hf29Ybu5w64tGKMkCIOkl4x3THMKjk9BQAzzZ_f5AnCXVNNe6J13-P4Fe1rsTUMBKkg_u-IWp1M6tcChZfe3xV6gUWO1cwUg_nn1JuyOL2lSeP--O91DoLn6g4vgB8tDxxhdgb7zTQXR5YKrBKFBr-gKE9O07Ohq81YenSK-MQwoLGzi2DCtFr5s5po5VkqvU8QWSHl_wuy2pwRP7TT4aXdhBDlx5m3OXBppM2GwKFFOMGG0sTKIK43xbnGXH4ia3hZHX7mG7_Tf2XYcExUH/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pa.uzh.ch%2Fen%2FWillkommen-an-der-UZH.html
 
<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1Gd2AFC0ba61SE-PzvsUt26JL6je1tQ1bXlro3LofYXN_hf29Ybu5w64tGKMkCIOkl4x3THMKjk9BQAzzZ_f5AnCXVNNe6J13-P4Fe1rsTUMBKkg_u-IWp1M6tcChZfe3xV6gUWO1cwUg_nn1JuyOL2lSeP--O91DoLn6g4vgB8tDxxhdgb7zTQXR5YKrBKFBr-gKE9O07Ohq81YenSK-MQwoLGzi2DCtFr5s5po5VkqvU8QWSHl_wuy2pwRP7TT4aXdhBDlx5m3OXBppM2GwKFFOMGG0sTKIK43xbnGXH4ia3hZHX7mG7_Tf2XYcExUH/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pa.uzh.ch%2Fen%2FWillkommen-an-der-UZH.html>
 for further information.

 

This position opens on:

1.6.2022 (starting date)

 

More information:

Prof. Nicolas Langer, n.lan...@psychologie.uzh.ch

 

Application
To be considered please stick to the following application format:

·       CV including publication list and contact details of two referees (max. 
3 pages)

·       Statement describing motivations, personal qualifications and research 
interests (max. 2 pages)

·       Save application in one single pdf file with the file name  
“Methlab_[SURNAME]_[name].pdf”

·       Send application by email to: n.lan...@psychologie.uzh.ch 
<file:///Users/nickilanger/Dropbox/AA_UZH_ADMIN/wichtige_dokumente%20&%20HR/Ausschreibung_PostDoc/n.lan...@psychologie.uzh.ch>
 

Applications will be considered until the position is filled (ideally submit 
your application before 31st of March 2022).

 

  

 

Description of the Project:

Real-life activity tracking as pre-screening tool for early stages of Alzheimer 
disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) accounts for the majority of all dementia cases and 
represents a major and rapidly growing burden to the healthcare and economical 
systems. The current state of research indicates that therapies need to be 
administered as early as possible. Therefore, there is an urgent need for 
accelerating biomarker discovery for early stages of AD. Importantly, evidences 
suggest that neurodegenerative changes precede clinical manifestations of AD by 
20-30 years. However, prevailing potential biomarkers for early stages of AD 
diagnosis, including genetic testing, molecular examination of CSF, structural 
MRI and PET imaging, are highly limited as they can only be applied to 
relatively small sample sizes due to their excessive costs and invasive nature. 
This prevents their usage in large epidemiological studies; yet such study 
designs are imperative for identifying the intra-individual progression from 
healthy ageing to AD. Thus, novel non-invasive and inexpensive biomarkers are 
urgently required to be administered at large scale with the aim to identify 
individuals with indications for early stages of AD. These identified subjects 
could then be referred to undergo more cost-intensive examinations with the 
currently available biomarker techniques to achieve the desired diagnostic 
accuracy. Mobile and wearable digital technologies have an unprecedented 
potential and could close this current gap as they permit abundant, continuous 
longitudinal data acquisition at low costs to investigate intra-individual 
changes as early markers of AD. In this project, we will investigate whether 
activity measures, derived from GPS and accelerometer data, are sensitive to 
identify early stages of AD (i.e. mild neurocognitive disorder due to AD). 
Further, we aim to provide evidence that real-life activity measures are 
associated with current AD biomarkers (i.e. high Amyloid level and brain 
atrophy). Because our long-term vision is to develop a smartphone application 
that is able to identify intra-individual trajectories in healthy adults to 
establish the transition point to mild neurocognitive disorder due to AD as 
early as possible, we will examine the sensitivity of the real-life activity 
measures for intra-individual changes. Therefore, the present proposal serves 
as a proof-of-concept to address the prerequisites for real-life activity 
tracking as a pre-screening assessment tool to identify potential mild 
neurocognitive disorder patients.



Nicolas Langer
Professor of Methods of Plasticity Research
University of Zurich
Andreasstrasse 15 (Office AND.4.56)
8050, Zurich, Switzerland
n.lan...@psychologie.uzh.ch
phone: (+41) 44 635 34 14
http://secure-web.cisco.com/1eprtfu6YVQ2Y3Wfp5VzOWnZz0Gm19H1RYpdVB_ZXOnH9Gb57kyF_sDxks2Vk2M9ahGgA7eBOCpXJBp-z8DNLbJvLmBFE9OEtfiOJl5ndEe8WVs2jTI5LKOlA01WdqBoNNews7HNpXPlEERWsimt8xoPutplEn6xmEgWr9AYXIi1ddCoGfttH-BhJgGB0e11Z7J8lXYD2D_4bpdkxvh9cpz0a1Tn-1gOsq3Lbni5hsocP2pjtuJP--QQdwPwBKGaAMRN2Cl7KYEmrbe2uBXhNVLia5jmeNB9pAVxGYvo-4cLN-k3gxGgIJVXHLbY1Bh7c/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.psychology.uzh.ch%2Fen%2Fareas%2Fnec%2Fplafor.html

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