Scope of duties

The Functional Neuroimaging research group is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join an ERC-funded project, combining neuroimaging and machine learning to advance our understanding of functional connectivity in neurological disorders, with a focus on neuro-oncology and neurodegeneration. During your three-year doctorate period you will be supervised to: · Implement, and maintain a scalable research database, integrating multimodal neuroimaging data (structural MRI, resting-state fMRI), along with clinical, demographic, and acquisition metadata. · Design and develop AI-based methods for anomaly detection in brain connectivity data. · Develop and maintain processing pipelines for large-scale neuroimaging datasets (structural and resting-state fMRI). · Perform MRI preprocessing, quality control, and functional connectivity analysis. · Integrate imaging data with demographic and acquisition metadata for machine learning applications. · Work with large multi-cohort datasets and collaborate in an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, imaging scientists, and AI researchers - including international research partners · Contribute to cutting-edge research with the goal of publishing in leading international journals.

Our requirements

· Master’s degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computer science, physics, data science, or a related field, with an excellent academic record (e.g., excellent GPA, first-class degree, or equivalent).

· Experience with scientific programming (Python preferred); familiarity with SQL and database systems is desirable. Experience with MATLAB, R, or similar languages, as well as basic scripting skills (e.g., Bash), is welcome. · Experience working with Linux-based computing environments and large-scale datasets is beneficial. · Basic understanding of machine learning or deep learning methods. · Strong interest in neuroimaging, brain connectivity, and machine learning. · Familiarity with neuroimaging data formats and tools (e.g., NIfTI, BIDS, FSL, AFNI, FreeSurfer) is advantageous; experience with functional MRI (fMRI) analysis is a plus. · Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. · Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment. · Very good written and spoken English.

Our offer

· A dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment at LMU Klinikum, one of Europe’s leading medical institutions.

· An established and structured research group with a strong publication track record, striving for high-impact publications. · A collaborative and supportive team culture, including regular group meetings, structured supervision, and one-on-one mentoring. · Strong research infrastructure, including dedicated support in biostatistics, clinical data science, AI algorithm development, and project management. · Opportunities for career development, including mentorship, grant writing support, and international networking. · Flexible and family-friendly working conditions, including options for remote work where appropriate. · The position is limited to three years. · PhD degree awarded through the Medical Faculty of LMU Munich (PhD in Medical Research, or Dr. rer. nat., or Dr. hum. biol.) · Remuneration is based on the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Länder (TV-L) including all allowances customary in the public sector.