School VI Medicine and Health Sciences comprises the fields of human medicine, medical physics and acoustics, neurosciences, psychology and health services research. Together with the four regional hospitals, School VI forms the University Medicine Oldenburg. Furthermore, there is close cooperation with the University Medicine of the University of Groningen.

In the Department for Psychology is available

1 PhD position (m/f/d)
(E13 TV-L, 75%)

starting on 1^st October 2024 for an initially limited period of 3 years. There is the possibility of personal scientific qualification [doctorate].

The DFG-funded Research Training Group “Neuromodulation of Motor and Cognitive Function in Brain Health and Disease” (GRK 2783) aims to understand neural mechanisms of non-invasive neuromodulatory approaches and promote technology development to improve motor and cognitive functions in patients with stroke and Parkinson’s Disease. PhD students will receive a comprehensive and transdisciplinary training in the field of neuromodulation (magnetic/electric brain stimulation, psychopharmacology and neurofeedback) and specialize in state-of-the-art neuroimaging and neurophysiological methods, experience sampling, patient’s expectations or sensor-based assessment of brain activity and behaviour in daily life scenarios.

Project: Transcranial Pulse Stimulation: Neuro-navigated ultrasound-based brain stimulation to treat cognitive deficits in Parkinson’s disease.

Main PI and collaborators: Roheger, Herrmann, Witt, Thiel

Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) is a new and promising, non-invasive method to modulate brain functions. Its feasibility and safety have been demonstrated in human studies and first clinical studies have shown the safety and feasibility of TPS in healthy controls and patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, the PhD project will extend the current knowledge and test the impact of TPS as a neuromodulatory tool on the primary sensory cortex and on cognitive functions in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Also, further brain stimulation techniques and their impact on cognition can be studied in this PhD project.

Applicants should hold (or hold at the date of employment) an academic university degree (Master or equivalent) in psychology, neuroscience or a related discipline. Prior experience with brain stimulation, programming and advanced data analysis, including software skills (e.g., R, Matlab), are desirable. As candidates are expected to work with patients with Parkinson’s disease, proficiency in German is essential (native speaker or at least B2 level). Workplace is Oldenburg. Details about the project and required qualifications are listed on our website and below: https://uol.de/en/neuromodulation/open-positions

We offer:

• Payment in accordance with collective bargaining law (special annual payment, company pension scheme, asset-related benefits) incl. 30 days annual leave
• Option for 4 year funding to complete the PhD
• Support and guidance during your induction phase
• A family-friendly environment with flexible working hours (flexitime) and the possibility of pro-rata mobile work
• Benefits from the company's health promotion programme
• An extensive free further education programme as well as our own scientific promotion of young academics (https://uol.de/en/school6/early-career)

The University of Oldenburg aims to increase the proportion of women in the academic field. Therefore, women are strongly encouraged to apply. According to § 21 para. 3 NHG, female applicants should be given preferential consideration if their qualifications are equivalent. Applicants with disabilities are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

Please send your electronic application (as one single pdf file) including a cover letter, CV, publication list (if applicable), list of two potential referees, and copies of certificates of academic grades to the RTG Office . The application deadline is 11^st August 2024. For general questions contact Ms. Prof. Dr. Mandy Roheger by email .