Neuroimaging Postdoctoral Position

Join an innovative, multidisciplinary, and internationally collaborative research project integrating psychiatry, neuroscience, and immunology to uncover the biological mechanisms of severe mental illness.

The Psychiatric Neuroscience Lab at Taipei Medical University (TMU), jointly led by Dr. Matteo Martino (Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain, and Consciousness) and Dr. Paola Magioncalda (International Master/Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine), is recruiting a full-time postdoctoral researcher in neuroimaging.

Project description

The Psychiatric Neuroscience Lab investigates the core and multifaceted pathophysiological mechanisms underlying major psychiatric disorders—particularly bipolar disorder, but also schizophrenia and major depression—within unifying theoretical frameworks. Our research integrates clinical, neuroimaging, physiological, and immunological data to advance mechanistic models of severe mental illness.

Relevant links:

https://tmu.pure.elsevier.com/en/persons/matteo-martino

https://gimbc.tmu.edu.tw/matteo-martino/

https://tmu.pure.elsevier.com/en/persons/paola-magioncalda

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/paola.magioncalda.1/bibliography/public/

The position primarily involves leading independent neuroimaging analyses and developing innovative analytical approaches to address the scientific aims of the lab. Multiple datasets are already available in the lab, including structural, diffusion, and resting-state functional MRI data, while additional multimodal datasets are currently being collected (including neuroimaging, actigraphy, electroretinography, physiological monitoring, and blood data). The selected candidate will also contribute to integrative multimodal investigations combining neuroimaging with behavioral and biological data and will have the opportunity to collaborate with partner animal laboratories to test mechanistic hypotheses derived from imaging findings.

This ambitious project aims to develop mechanistic biological models of severe mental illness, with a focus on bipolar disorder, grounded in the theoretical frameworks published by the group in leading journals such as Nature Mental Health and Molecular Psychiatry.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent neuroimaging analyses using structural, diffusion, and resting-state functional MRI data.
• Design, implement, and optimize data preprocessing and analysis pipelines.
• Integrate multimodal datasets (neuroimaging, actigraphy, electroretinography, physiological monitoring, and blood/immune data).
• Collaborate with animal research teams to translate neuroimaging findings into mechanistic models.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation and dissemination of research findings.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Neuroscience, or a related discipline.
• Strong programming skills (Python, MATLAB) and proficiency with major neuroimaging software (FSL, AFNI, SPM, FreeSurfer, etc.).
• Experience in statistical analyses using software such as R or similar platforms.
• Ability to work independently and proactively develop analytical strategies aligned with research goals.
• Strong interest in psychiatric neuroscience and mechanistic modeling of brain function.
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken.
• Experience in computational modeling is desirable.

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time position with an initial one-year contract, renewable based on performance and project requirements.

Salary will follow the Taipei Medical University postdoctoral pay scale, including health insurance and standard employment benefits, with adjustments according to experience and qualifications and annual salary reviews.

The position is available immediately, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants are invited to submit their curriculum vitae (CV), a brief statement of research interests, and contact details of at least two referees to:

About TMU

Taipei Medical University is one of Taiwan’s leading research institutions, with a vibrant international community and strong interdisciplinary programs bridging neuroscience, medicine, and biotechnology. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and collaborative environment in Taipei, a city known for its excellent quality of life, safety, and rich cultural diversity.