Postdoctoral Researcher

• Apply before 04/03/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
• Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Department: GE34 - Hoofd en Huid
• Occupancy rate:75%
• Number of positions: 1
• Type of employment: Contract of unlimited duration with clause
• Term of assignment: 30 months
• Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
• Required diploma:PhD

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programs grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

ABOUT THE HOST LAB

The GHEP lab is a research unit investigating (ab)normal stress reactivity and emotion regulation in healthy and psychiatric patients. We especially aim for interdisciplinary research collaborations to employ state-of-the-art methods that advance the field of mental health.

The GHEP lab is closely connected to the psychiatric ward of the Ghent University Hospital, and specializes in treating mood and anxiety disorders. Hence, there is a strong background and interest in finding more efficacious treatment options using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. Working with the veterinary department we created translational animal models to examine the effects of neurostimulation on the dogs' brain. This knowledge can be incorporated into the treatment of psychiatric patients, with the goal of enhancing healthcare.

The lab is specialized in non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), theta-burst stimulation (TBS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), but also invasive brain stimulation techniques such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The researchers have initiated and collaborated in numerous studies, aiming to find working mechanisms and biomarkers to understand, predict, and enhance the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation.

YOUR TASKS

• The position is embedded in the FWO-funded WEAVE 2025 project, a collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). The project develops personalized brain stimulation protocols using MRI-guided simulations and investigates how individual differences in brain anatomy and conductivity impact treatment efficacy, especially in depression and early Alzheimer's disease. The postdoc will bridge simulation research and clinical implementation, contributing to the final work package (WP3): testing the impact of personalized TMS parameters using concurrent TMS-fMRI..
• Implement and validate MRI-based electric field simulations (using tools like SimNIBS, Chaospy).
• Integrate multimodal imaging data (T1w, T2w, dw-MRI) to generate personalized stimulation parameters.
• Set up and run concurrent TMS-fMRI sessions to evaluate effects of individualized stimulation (in collaboration with international partners).
• Analyze activation maps (focus on sgACC connectivity and clinical outcome markers).
• Contribute to manuscript writing and dissemination (high-impact journals, conferences).
• Supervise Master/PhD students and promote an open, collaborative team culture.
• At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• PhD in Medicine, Life Sciences, or related field (obtained max. 6 years ago. This term of 6 years is determined by the date written on the above-mentioned required diploma).
• Expertise in non-invasive brain stimulation, preferably TMS or tDCS.
• Proven experience in complex MRI data analysis (e.g., SPM, FSL, FreeSurfer), and multi-modal integration is a strong asset( eg DCM and/or connective analysis).
• Skilled in programming (Python, MATLAB, R).
• Experience with psychological clinical or translational psychiatric research is a plus.
• Experience with animal brain imaging analysis is a plus.
• Strong publication record and excellent English writing and presentation skills.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration with a term of 30 months.
• Your contract will start on 01/04/2026 at the earliest.
• Be a co-author on the research papers that we aim to be accepted/submitted by the end of this period.
• Participate in an exciting and rapidly evolving new research area with labs with young, dynamic and enthusiastic research staff with great team spirit.
• Integration into an exciting European multidisciplinary team.
• \"state-of-the-art\" technology ( TMS, TES, ECT, tVNS) and facilities (fMRI, EEG, fNIRS).
• A defined track for postdoc coaching and career development (see postdoc community at Ghent University community).
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

INTERESTED?

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field 'CV': your CV
• In the field 'Cover letter': your application letter in pdf format
• In the field 'Diploma': a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
• In the field \"other documents\": Upload at least one reference letter. A link to the PhD dissertation and/or published research papers should be provided (e.g. ORCID, google scholar profile).

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Chris Baeken ) by e-mail

Important: do NOT send your application by e-mail, but apply online.

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