Description
About the position and project
This three-year PhD position 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 candidate to join the lab early 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 emotion perception can help us to better understand emotional aging brain. We are running a multi-modal study in which we examine social-emotional processes among individuals with late-life depression. We will examine the whole brain as well as regions that are critical for stress and emotional response, such as the locus coeruleus. The use of 7T MRI scanner will allow us to better characterize these deep structures and identify how their structural and functional integrity will change as a function of disease. For more information on the projects and papers we have published, please visit this website: Brain Health Platform | Maryam Ziaei OR Maryam Ziaei - NTNU.
As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in research.
Your immediate leader will be group leader Maryam Ziaei.
Duties of the position
Carry out research of excellent quality, contributing to the research project outlined abovedesign of studies
data collection (fMRI and behavioral testing)
data analyses
Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
Academic publications and popular science dissemination
Participate in the research group's activities
Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.
Requirements
Required selection criteria
Proficiency in analyses of imaging data such as structural MRI and functional MRI
Experience in programing (e.g. Matlab or Python)
Proficiency in literature review and advanced statistical analyses
Excellent written communication skills in English
A statement of research interest that aligns with the lab’s goal
You must have a relevant Master's degree in psychology, neuroscience, biomedical sciences or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis.
Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme (link), see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.
You must have a strong and relevant academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.
Preferred selection criteria
Experience in working ultra-high field imaging data
Experience in data collection and management of behavioral and imaging data
Experience of working with older adults and/or clinical populations
Experience in machine learning and advanced analytical approaches
