Postdoc mesoscale cerebellar MRI

About the project
The human cerebellum is an intricately shaped brain region, implicated in a wide range of functions. The cerebellar cortex, a thin layer of grey matter, is very tightly folded, resulting in a highly convoluted architecture. Its visualisation requires detailed imaging, beyond what is currently possible in humans in vivo.

In this NWO-funded Vici project headed by Wietske van der Zwaag, we will leverage Ultra-High Field MRI (7T) with recent advances in MRI hardware, acquisition strategies and image analysis to bring the cerebellar mesoscale organisation into view. With multimodal submillimetre MRI data including structural, microstructural, vascular, and functional MRI, we will pinpoint the mesoscale functional subunits within the human cerebellum.

The postdoctoral research project (32 months) will focus on ultra-high field, high-resolution cerebellar imaging, including pTx, multiple relevant contrasts for (micro)structural and vascular imaging and advanced image analysis to visualise results on the cerebellar surface. The position will provide the opportunity to supervise PhD student(s) and space to obtain independent funding.

What you will be contributing
We are looking for a researcher who has, or is about to receive, a PHD in MR physics or a closely related field. The ideal candidate should be familiar with 7T MRI and/or the Philips sequence development platform, to enable a smooth transition to supervision of the PhD student(s). A vivid interest in high-resolution imaging or the human cerebellum would be a plus. Proficiency in spoken and written English is required.

What do we offer
You will be part of the Vici project-team consisting of 3 PhD students, a postdoctoral researcher and the PI. You will be joining a highly collaborative research environment of the Ultra-High Field Neuroimaging group of the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience and the Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging. This research environment combines state-of-of the art neuroimaging expertise and facilities, including 7T MRI, with a diverse interdisciplinary community of MR-physicists and cognitive and clinical neuroscientists.

This is a position for 1.0 fte (38 h/week) for the period of one year with the possibility to extend up to 32 months in total. You will have ample opportunities for further development of knowledge and technical and personal skills (e.g. supervision) through courses at the Academy and (inter)national conferences.

More information
General information about the group, the institute and the project can be found on our websites: https://spinozacentre.nl/zwaag/, www.nin.nl/ https://sites.google.com/view/cerebellum-mesoscale/

For more information about the vacancy, please contact Dr. Wietske van der Zwaag (w.vanderzwaag@spinozacentre.nl).

Application Procedure
You can submit your motivation letter and curriculum vitae no later than June 5th, 2026. We will aim to conduct the first-round, online interviews later in June.

About the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience
The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is the country’s leading fundamental neuroscience research institute, in the international and progressive city of Amsterdam. It provides a critical mass of scientists (spanning more than 27 nationalities) and neuroscience facilities, in a highly interactive, dynamic, multi-cultural environment, with English as the working language.

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 3546,- and the maximum salary is € 5538,- gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 10, cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.