23 Dec 2025
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
University Medical Center Groningen- Department
Ophthalmology- Research Field
Neurosciences » Neurobiology
Medical sciences » Medicine
Computer science » Modelling tools- Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)- Positions
PhD Positions- Country
Netherlands- Application Deadline
27 Feb 2026 - 12:30 (Europe/Amsterdam)- Type of Contract
To be defined- Job Status
Full-time- Offer Starting Date
1 Mar 2026- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Horizon Europe - MSCA- Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number
101226270- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
15 funded PhD positions in Computional Neuroscience
IndiBrain (Characterizing Individual Differences in Brain Plasticity and Dynamics to help ensure Effective and Sustainable Health Care and Rehabilitation), is a new European Marie-Curie doctoral training network. Fifteen doctoral candidates will explore how individual differences shape brain plasticity and behaviour. IndiBrain brings together universities and industry partners across Europe to train the next generation of leaders in computational neuroscience. Through cutting-edge neuroimaging, computational modelling, and neurotechnology, our network will drive breakthroughs in understanding the human brain and pave the way for personalized diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation in neurological and ocular disorders. The PhD projects are hosted in labs across Europe. an overview of the participating researchers, their research interests and the PhD project topics can be found at https://indibrain.eu .
Institutional Locations
- University Medical Center, Groningen, the Netherlands
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- NordicNeuroLab, Bergen , Norway
- University of York, York, United Kingdom
- University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Fondiazone Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
Program
IndiBrain advances a new era of personalised computational neuroscience, focused on understanding how and why brains differ from one another.
Although all human brains share a similar structure, every individual shows unique neural patterns, developmental trajectories, and responses to disease or treatment. Understanding these individual differences is essential for transforming neuroscience — from group-averaged knowledge to brain-specific prediction, diagnosis, and rehabilitation.
IndiBrain brings together expertise in:
- Advanced neuroimaging (including ultra-high-field and ultrafast MRI)
- Computational and network neuroscience
- Machine learning and biologically inspired AI
- Vision science and predictive coding
- Clinical neuroscience and neurotechnology
Vision serves as our core model system, allowing us to link detailed neural mechanisms to perception, behaviour, and disease.
With this in mind, IndiBrain focusses on three key research topics:
1) Build next-generation computational models of the human brain. We develop tools and models that capture individual brain structure and function — including methods for modelling brain dynamics, neural circuit interactions, and excitation–inhibition balance.
2) Understand individual variability in brain networksWe investigate how individual differences shape perception, cognition, and recovery in both healthy individuals and people with visual or neurological conditions.
3) Translate neuroscience into personalised brain healthBy developing biomarkers and mechanistic models, we aim to improve early diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and rehabilitation strategies for visual and neurological disorders.
Training
We offer 15 (3-year) full-time PhD positions. As a PhD student, you will follow a multidisciplinary PhD training consisting of a number of high-level training courses and workshops. As you will be able to experience working in industrial, health care and academic environments, you will have the opportunity to develop both your academic as well as your entrepreneurial skills. For more detailed information, see: https://indibrain.eu/training-networ
Requirements
IndiBrain is supported by a MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE grant from the European Union which requires transnational mobility.
Therefore, to be eligible for a PhD position, you cannot have resided or carried out your main activity in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months during the previous 36 months at the time of appointment. Furthermore, we can only recruit researchers who are not already in the possession of a doctoral degree at the date of appointment. Please keep this in mind when applying.
Benefits
By joining IndiBrain, doctoral candidates become part of a cutting-edge European Doctoral Network dedicated to understanding individual differences in brain structure and function — and translating these insights into innovative diagnostics, neurotechnologies, and personalized rehabilitation strategies.
IndiBrain brings together world-leading expertise in computational neuroscience, advanced neuroimaging, clinical neurology, psychological science, and neurotechnology, connecting universities, hospitals, industry partners, and patient-centred organizations across Europe. Through this collaborative, interdisciplinary network, our researchers will work at the frontier of personalized neuroscience.
Where to apply
- Website
- https://indibrain.eu/recruitment/
Requirements
- Research Field
- All
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
Additional Information
Eligibility criteria
IndiBrain is supported by a MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE grant which requires transnational mobility.
Therefore, to be eligible for a PhD position, you cannot have resided or carried out your main activity in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months during the previous 36 months at the time of appointment. Furthermore, we can only recruit researchers who are not already in the possession of a doctoral degree at the date of appointment. Please keep this in mind when applying.
Selection process
Phase 1a: Eligibility check
After you have submitted the requested documents we will evaluate your application based on the EU eligibility criteria (see above).
Phase 1b: Evaluation of CV and ML
In case you pass this eligibility check, we will assess you on: (i) program and relevant research skills, (ii) current knowledge and expertise of the field, (iii) capacity and motivation to participate in high-level international and inter-sectoral research training program, (iv) creativity and the level of independence, (v) evidence of exceptional academic performance, (vi) expected impact of the IndiBrain research training on the candidate’s future career.
Phase 2: Essay-based assessment
In case you pass Phase 1 (i.e., you’ve been selected as one of the top-ranked candidates), you will be invited to write a 2-page (max) essay related to an IndiBrain project of your choice. As an indication, from experience we know that successful candidates in previous selection rounds spend about 2 days on writing and revising their essay. In order to submit the essay, you can simply reply to the e-mail with the invitation and include the essay as an attachment. The document will then be uploaded in Workable automatically.
Phase 3: Remote interview
In case you pass Phase 2 (i.e., you’ve written a high quality essay), you will be invited for a remote interview with a local selection committee at the host of your preferred project.
Phase 4: Scientific Presentation
In case you pass Phase 3, you will be invited to give a scientific presentation on your precious research Work.
Phase 5: Final selection
Soon after scientific presentations, the final selection will be made.
- Website for additional job details
https://www.indibrain.eu
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 3
- Company/Institute
- University Medical Center Groningen
- Country
- Netherlands
- Geofield
- Number of offers available
- 2
- Company/Institute
- University of Coimbra
- Country
- Portugal
- Geofield
- Number of offers available
- 2
- Company/Institute
- Tilburg University
- Country
- Netherlands
- Geofield
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience
- Country
- Netherlands
- Geofield
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- NordicNeuroLab
- Country
- Norway
- Geofield
- Number of offers available
- 2
- Company/Institute
- University of York
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Geofield
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- University of Pisa
- Country
- Italy
- Geofield
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Fundazione Stella Maris
- Country
- Italy
- Geofield
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- University College London
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Geofield
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg
- Country
- Germany
- Geofield
Contact
- City
Groningen- Website
http://www.indibrain.eu- Street
Antonius Deusinglaan 2- Postal Code
9713AW
networkmanager@indibrain.eu
STATUS: EXPIRED
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