We are looking to support our rapidly growing team as soon as possible: PhD Position in the European TRACE-PD project Nuklearmedizin TV-L: 25 h/week (64,94%) limited for 3 years according to WissZeitVG (Third-party funded project) Your salary will be based on TV-L TV-L: 25 h/week (64,94%) limited for 3 years according to WissZeitVG (Third-party funded project) Your salary will be based on TV-L Your tasks Project Overview: Together with our team in Cologne, the PhD candidate will focus on identifying and analysing domain-specific cerebral resilience factors in Parkinson's disease. Using cutting-edge imaging methodologies, the research aims to clarify how structural and functional brain characteristics contribute to motor resilience in early Parkinson's stages, potentially leading to breakthroughs in early intervention strategies. Key Responsibilities: Collaborate with our project partners in Germany, Sweden, Czech Republic and the Netherlands Curate extensively available multimodal neuroimaging data Analyse and interpret complex neuroimaging data Present findings at international conferences and publish results in reputable international journals Your profile Master’s degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, or related fields Interest and ideally previous experience in neuroimaging (MRI/PET) Knowledge of data analysis software (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R) Strong communication skills, teamwork capability, and proactive engagement in collaborative projects Required documents for application: Please submit your letter of motivation, CV, copies of transcripts, contact details of two potential referees. Our offer Everything but ordinary: You can expect a secure job in a challenging, innovative environment – including company pension schemes and regular working hours without business trips. Work-life balance: Whether full-time or part-time, with or without children – with numerous support options, we will find the right path together. Team spirit in R(h)ine culture: You will be warmly welcomed by an interdisciplinary team that values mutual respect and helpfulness. Strong perspectives: We offer extensive training opportunities – so you can continuously grow and set new goals. Your future with us We are one of the leading university hospitals in Germany and network research, teaching and health care at the highest level. That's why many things are a lot bigger for us: the spectrum of exciting development opportunities. The limitless openness with which specialists from all over the world work together here. Or our commitment as an employer to support all employees as best we can in reconciling their job with their goals and life situations. This is the University Hospital of Cologne: Everything but ordinary. Your future in detail Join our international research team in the project TRACE-PD: Tracking the mechanisms of disease progression and functional compensation in the early phase of Parkinson’s disease. The project is funded by the European JPND research framework and explores early mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease progression and functional compensation. Our consortium brings together state-of-the-art multimodal neuroimaging techniques (including 7T-MRI, novel PET ligands, and MEG) and leading neuroscientists from Germany (Universities of Marburg and Cologne), Sweden (Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm), the Netherlands (Donders Institute, Nijmegen), and the Czech Republic (Central European Institute of Technology, Brno) to shape the future of Parkinson’s disease research and therapy. The position is at the University Hospital Cologne with the MultiModal NeuroImaging group led by Prof. Dr. Thilo van Eimeren and will be co-supervised by Dr. Merle Hönig, expert in neuroimaging and resilience neuroscience. What We Offer: PhD position for 3 years, covering salary and associated research costs. A stimulating, international research project within a prestigious European consortium. Excellent research environment given the close collaboration between the University Hospital Cologne, the Research Center Juelich and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Exceptional training opportunities, professional growth, and a structured PhD program. Access to advanced neuroimaging facilities and a broad network of leading scientists. Applications from female candidates are expressly welcome and will be given priority in the event of equal suitability, competence and professional performance. People with disabilities are welcome to apply and will be treated preferentially in the event of equal suitability and qualification. Contact Dr. Merle Hönig Tel: 49 221 478-82837 Universitätsklinikum Köln AöR Geschäftsbereich Personal Kerpener Str. 62 50937 Köln Application deadline: 11.05.2025 Job-ID: o7femzcg We look forward to receiving your application and getting to know you