PhD in Neurobiology in Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) – Netherlands

Summary

The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) is offering a temporary PhD student position in Neurobiology/Neuroinformatics in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The project focuses on measuring human mesoscale cerebellar morphology in postmortem brain tissue using Ultra-High Field MRI, providing ground truth for in-vivo experiments. The role is part of an NWO-funded Vici project within a collaborative research environment at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience and the Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging. The position is full-time (38 h/week) with a salary ranging from €3204 to €4051 gross per month, plus benefits. Applicants should have an MSc in biomedical engineering, physics, biology, or a related field, strong technical skills, programming experience (Python, MATLAB), and English proficiency. The application deadline is October 26, 2026.

Key Facts

Department	Ultra-High Field Neuroimaging group of the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience and the Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging
Position Type	PhD student
Discipline	Neurosciences
Research Area	Neurobiology, Neuroinformatics, Cerebellar Morphology
Degree Required	MSc in biomedical engineering, physics, biology or a related field
Salary	minimum salary is € 3204,- and the maximum salary is € 4051,- gross per month
Funding	NWO-funded Vici project
Contract Duration	Temporary
Language	English
Deadline	2026-10-26
Required Documents	motivation letter, curriculum vitae
Employer Contact	Dr. Wietske van der Zwaag ([email protected])

About the Project

This PhD project aims to measure human mesoscale cerebellar morphology in postmortem brain tissue. This will provide a ground truth for independent in-vivo experiments, leveraging Ultra-High Field MRI. The human cerebellum's intricately folded cortex requires detailed imaging beyond current in-vivo capabilities. The project is part of an NWO-funded Vici project and involves a range of neuroscience techniques including data analysis, tissue staining, and postmortem MRI.

Key Responsibilities

• Measure human mesoscale cerebellar morphology in postmortem brain tissue
• Provide ground truth for independent in-vivo experiments
• Work with neuroscience techniques including data analysis, tissue staining, and postmortem MRI

Required Skills

• Vivid interest in neuroscience
• Strong technical skills
• MSc in biomedical engineering, physics, biology or a related field (or about to receive)
• Demonstrable interest in the human brain
• Programming experience (Python, MATLAB)
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Experience with or an interest in microscopy (plus)
• Experience with or an interest in quantitative image analysis (plus)
• Experience with or an interest in neuroanatomy (plus)
• Experience with or an interest in MRI (plus)

Who Should Apply

This position is suitable for a First Stage Researcher (R1) with a vivid interest in neuroscience and strong technical skills. Candidates should hold or be about to receive an MSc in biomedical engineering, physics, biology, or a related field, and demonstrate an interest in the human brain. Proficiency in programming (Python, MATLAB) and English is required. Experience or interest in microscopy, quantitative image analysis, neuroanatomy, or MRI is a plus.

Benefits

• Minimum salary € 3204,- and maximum salary € 4051,- gross per month for a full-time appointment
• 8% vacation allowance
• 8.3% year-end bonus
• Travel allowance
• Internet allowance
• Home working allowance
• Pension accrual with ABP
• Excellent package of secondary benefits
• Opportunity to increase days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment) by working an extra two hours a week
• Ample opportunities for further development of knowledge and technical and personal skills through courses at the Academy and (inter)national conferences

About the Employer

The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) is an organization that offers a highly collaborative research environment. This specific position is within the Ultra-High Field Neuroimaging group of the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience and the Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging. This environment combines state-of-the-art neuroscience expertise and facilities, including 7T MRI and the Netherlands Brain Bank. It fosters a diverse, interdisciplinary community of cognitive and clinical neuroscientists and neuroimaging experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the research focus of this PhD project?

The PhD project focuses on measuring human mesoscale cerebellar morphology in postmortem brain tissue to provide a ground truth for independent in-vivo experiments, utilizing Ultra-High Field MRI.

What are the required qualifications for this position?

Applicants must have, or be about to receive, an MSc in biomedical engineering, physics, biology, or a related field, along with programming experience (Python, MATLAB) and proficiency in spoken and written English.

What is the salary range for this PhD position?

The minimum salary is € 3204,- and the maximum salary is € 4051,- gross per month for a full-time appointment, exclusive of vacation allowance, year-end bonus, and other benefits.

What benefits are offered with this position?

Benefits include 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance, pension accrual with ABP, and opportunities for professional development and increased days off.

Who should I contact for more information about the vacancy?

For more information, you can contact Dr. Wietske van der Zwaag at [email protected].

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants need to submit a motivation letter and a curriculum vitae.