PhD position in structural imaging of the vulnerability to develop schizophrenia
We are seeking a highly motivated student for a doctoral position in the Behavioral Psychiatry and Neuroimaging laboratory in Geneva. This group, headed by Prof. Stephan Eliez, provides a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the prodroms of psychosis in a population at risk for schizophrenia for genetic reasons (22q11.2 deletion syndrome). The cohort of patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome recruited in Geneva since 2001 constitutes one of the largest and more extensively assessed worldwide to date, including longitudinal psychiatric and cognitive evaluations, as well as structural (T1-weighted and DTI) and functional (task-related and resting state) brain imaging data.
In the first part of the PhD, the candidate will learn a critical and independent application of image analysis techniques. A specifically emphasis will be put on the identification of predictors of the emergence of psychosis or schizophrenia based on the longitudinal data analysis. He / she will benefit from the large amount of already collected MRI data as well as participate in the ongoing data recruitment (accompany the participants to the scanner). From the beginning, the candidate will be required to actively write first author articles. Through the participation at the structured PhD program offered by the lemanic neuroscience school of the Geneva and Lausanne Universities (http://www.unil.ch/ln/page56876.html), the candidate will have the opportunity to build a larger neuroscience network of high quality.
The candidate should hold a Master’s degree in medicine, biology, psychology, neuroscience or a related field. Experience with brain imaging is an advantage. Salary is provided according to the scale of the Swiss National Science Foundation.
The starting date is October 1st, 2011. The candidates’ applications will be reviewed from July 15th, 2011. Later applications will be considered only if the position was not filled. Interested candidates should send their CV along with a letter of motivation and their detailed marks during their Master (or latest achieved degree) to Dr. Marie Schaer, marie.schaer@unige.ch.