Postdoc in Neuroimaging, Neurodiversity and Brain Evolution

Job description
Do you enjoy working with complex neuroimaging data, large datasets and computational methods? Do you want to work at the intersection of neuroimaging, neuroscience, AI and brain evolution? We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the Connectome Lab at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
The Connectome Lab at the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, is seeking a Postdoc in
Neuroimaging, Neurodiversity and Brain Evolution
.
The project aims to understand how variation in brain anatomy and connectivity contributes to the remarkable diversity of the human brain, and how these features relate to principles of brain evolution. We will combine large-scale human neuroimaging datasets with comparative datasets across species to investigate variation in brain structure, connectivity and functional organization.
A central goal is to understand which aspects of brain organization are highly conserved, which show substantial variation between individuals, and which features may have emerged or expanded during human brain evolution. The project therefore brings together
neuroimaging, connectomics, comparative neuroscience, AI and computational neuroscience
.
You will work with large structural MRI, diffusion MRI and resting-state fMRI datasets and develop and apply computational approaches to quantify variation in brain organization across individuals, populations and species.
You will be part of the computational neuroimaging Lab led by Prof. Martijn van den Heuvel and work in an interdisciplinary environment with researchers from neuroimaging, computational neuroscience, genetics, psychology, psychiatry and artificial intelligence.
Your duties
analyse large-scale structural MRI, diffusion MRI and resting-state fMRI datasets
develop and apply pipelines for cortical reconstruction, tractography, functional connectivity and connectome analysis
investigate individual variation and neurodiversity in brain structure and connectivity
use LLM and ML to mine and analyze large datasets
perform comparative analyses of human and non-human brain organization in the context of brain evolution
integrate results across neuroimaging datasets and imaging modalities
develop computational and statistical approaches for analysing brain networks
contribute to reproducible and open neuroimaging workflows
supervise MSc and PhD students
collaborate with researchers within the Connectome Lab, CNCR and international research networks
author and co-author scientific publications
present findings at national and international scientific meetings
contribute to the lab, department and have teaching activities where appropriate

Requirements
PhD in neuroscience, neuroimaging, computational neuroscience, biomedical engineering, physics, computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline
Extensive hands-on experience with neuroimaging analysis is essential.
In particular, we are looking for demonstrated experience with several of the following:
structural MRI and cortical reconstruction, including FreeSurfer
diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), tractography and structural connectivity
resting-state fMRI and functional connectivity analysis
FSL and other commonly used neuroimaging software packages
postdocs with experience in AI/LLM are particularly invited to apply
processing and quality control of large neuroimaging datasets
connectome and network neuroscience analyses
Strong
programming skills
are essential. You should have substantial experience with scientific programming in
Python, MATLAB, R, Bash and/or comparable languages
, and be comfortable developing and maintaining reproducible analysis pipelines. Experience with one or more of the following would be an advantage:
large-scale neuroimaging datasets such as UK Biobank, HCP or comparable resources
comparative or cross-species neuroimaging
brain atlases, surface-based analysis and registration
machine learning or multivariate statistics
LLM
high-performance computing
open-source software development and version control
network science and computational modelling
We particularly value candidates who enjoy working with complex data, think critically about methodology, and are interested in developing new approaches rather than only applying existing pipelines. You should also:
have a strong interest in neurodiversity and/or brain evolution
be able to work independently as well as collaboratively
have good scientific communication skills
have an excellent command of written and spoken English
proficiency in Dutch is considered an important asset, particularly for contributing to teaching activities and engaging with students
support open and reproducible science and be willing to share tools and data with the wider scientific community
As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.
We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Conditions of employment
Fixed-term
contract
: 1 year.
A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:
a salary of minimum € 3.706,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.760,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year.
We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:
a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
solid pension scheme (ABP)
contribution to commuting expenses
optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

Employer
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Research environment
You will join the
Connectome Lab
at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Our research focuses on understanding the architecture of the human brain and how its network organization relates to cognition, individual variation, brain disorders and evolution. You will work in a multidisciplinary team of PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and students with backgrounds spanning neuroimaging, network neuroscience, genetics, artificial intelligence, computational neuroscience and psychology. The project is embedded within the
Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR)
, providing a highly interdisciplinary research environment and opportunities for collaboration within VU Amsterdam and with national and international research groups.
Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.
From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.
Learn more about our codes of conduct
We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.
Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.
We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.
Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.