Postdoctoral Fellow in the Kavli Institute’s Aging Neuroscience Group

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology Kavliinstitutt for nevrovitenskap Trondheim, Norway
Postdoctoral Neurobiology Machine Learning 07 Nov 2026

About the position

## Postdoctoral Fellow in the Kavli Institute’s Aging Neuroscience Group There is a vacanacy for a ## This is NTNU NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim. At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world. You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here. ## About the position and project This three-year postdoctoral fellowship will be part of the Aging Neuroscience Group, which explores the structural and functional neural networks underlying social and emotional processing in aging. We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic postdoctoral fellow to join the lab in Spring of 2027 to help better understand the emotional and brain changes that occur in aging. Dr Ziaei’s group aims to explore how individual differences in cognitive functions and biological markers influence brain networks involved in processing social and emotional cues in the environment. We are running a deep sampling study in which healthy and clinical patients will be followed and scanned several times to identify within-individual variabilities in social-emotional processing. Additionally, we are interested in using an ultra-high field scanner (7T) to examine the role of deep structures such as the locus coeruleus in individual variabilities and association with mental and cognitive health outcomes. In addition, the postdoctoral fellow will be able to be engaged in other projects including cross-sectional design and large-scale data approach. For more information about our current work and publications please visit: Brain Health Platform | Maryam Ziaei or Maryam Ziaei - NTNU The purpose of a postdoctoral position is to build up a researcher profile that qualifies for a position as associate professor. The position may also offer additional skills that are relevant to the postdoctoral fellow's future career. Your immediate leader will be group leader Maryam Ziaei. ## Duties of the position - Carry out research of excellent quality, contributing to the ongoing deep sampling study - cooperate on project design - data collection (fMRI and behavioral testing) - data analysis - Academic publications and popular science dissemination - Participation in the research group's activities - Applying for research funding and write applications and report on progress to funding sources - Participating in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions - Mentoring students, helping them with their research projects, and advising on methodology and academic writing - Additional opportunity to work on existing dataset or generate new project (within the scope of the lab) ## Required selection criteria - You must have completed a doctoral degree in psychology, neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or related fields. If you are in the final phase of your doctorate and can document that the thesis has been submitted or that the defense date has been confirmed, your application can be considered even if you have not defended. NOTE: Documentation of the obtained doctorate must be presented before you can take up the position. - Expertise in design and analyses of fMRI data (both task and resting state-based fMRI data) - Expertise in univariate analyses (e.g., SPM, FSL) and programming (e.g., Python and Matlab) - Experience in multivariate analyses and network analyses - Excellent academic record with scientific publication in relevant fields - Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as associate professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period. The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and for general criteria for the position. ## Preferred selection criteria - Experience in delineation of small structures such as brainstem structures or subcortical areas - Experience in applying machine learning in neuroscience - Experience in analyzing large MRI dataset - Familiarity with analyses of structural MRI data (volumetric and/or DTI analyses) - Research experience with older adults’ population ## Personal characteristics Working as a Postdoctoral fellow requires that you: - Work independently - Work structured, set goals and make plans to achieve them - Present and discuss your research with other professionals - Engage and contribute constructively with feedback - Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity - Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject - Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions - Are flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. ## We offer - Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues The working environment in KISN provides great opportunities to design translational research and generate collaborative ideas across disciplines. This position is embedded within the newly established Nasjonalforeningens demensforskningssenter (NDS). As an employee, you will have access to cutting-edge science and infrastructure across KISN and NTNU. Additionally, we provide opportunities to attend workshops and conferences in the field of imaging, neuroscience, and aging. We also encourage postdocs to upskill themselves with interpersonal skills crucial for next stages of one's career path. These include effective collaboration and communication, public speaking, preparation for job interviews, management skills, and translation of research for industrial settings. - An exciting job with an important social mission - Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment - Career guidance throughout the postdoctoral program and together with you we will prepare a career plan, which contains the skills and knowledge you will acquire - Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU - Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund As a Postdoctoral Fellow at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits. ## Diversity Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals. We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education. If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time. ## Salary and conditions As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 633 400,- per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. The period of employment is 3 years. The position is conditional on external funding. As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them. For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis. The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed ## About the application The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in English. Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request. The application must include: - Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's, Master's and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position. - CV - A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, you can attach a draft of the thesis. - Research plan: a two-page summary of your proposed research plan (considering the group's work) - Two first authored papers (published or in press) - Possible recommendation letters - The name and contact information of two referees who are familiar with your science and communication background If all or parts of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation. If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result. In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal qualities. Motivation, ambitions and potential for research will also be emphasized in the assessment of the candidates. NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission). ## General information A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public list of applicants, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted. If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Maryam Ziaei, email: maryam.ziaei@ntnu.no If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Lisa Yvonne Mele, email: lisa.y.mele@ntnu.no If you find this position interesting, and in accordance with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Application deadline: 07. November 2026 For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000.The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

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