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Post-doctoral position / tenure-track potential / neuroimaging
MRI imaging of the impact of air pollution on school age children
A postdoctoral position is available in theNeurosmog projectin the Szwed lab in the department of Psychology at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, to work on the impact of ambient air pollution on the developing brain in school-age children. The successful candidate is expected to take the role the associate leader in the ongoing collection and the planned analysis of the rich Neurosmog neuroimaging data (task and RS- fMRI, DWI, structural, myelin mapping).
The Neurosmog project endeavours to investigate the effects of air pollution on behavioural and neural changes in school-age children.It combines four scientific teams in the fields of pollution assessment, child psychology, neuroimaging and epidemiology with the common goal of determining the impact of ambient air pollution on the developing brain in school age children. It uses MRI imaging and in-depth psychological testing of 300 cases of an ADHD group and 500 cases of a control group selected from the general population. Data collection has already began, and its end is foreseen in July 2022.This post is fully funded by a 3.5M EUR grant awarded by the Foundation for Polish Science (Fundacja na rzecz Nauki Polskiej, FNP)
The candidate is expected to take the role the associate leaderof a large-scale neuroimaging project with an enormous relevance to urgent public health issues.The position is initially for 33 months, and can be extended and converted into a tenure-track position on the condition of receiving external funding. The Institute of Psychology will support and encourage this extension. It will also cover the cost of the necessary advanced degree (Habilitation) required for career advancement.
The candidates’ job will be to:
· * supervise ongoing MRI data collection
· * With the help of the projects’ data manager/programmer and a PhD student, and in liaison with the epidemiology/child psychology groups, and plan, build and execute MRI data analysis
· * Present and publish project results
· * Plan an expansion of the neuroimaging data analysis by using the vast amount of unique data gathered under Neurosmog. Options include, but are not limited to fields such as green space research, socioeconomic research, ADHD research, or similar
· * In the last year of the postdoc contract, apply for new funding schemes
The candidate will be based in Institute of Psychology at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. JU Institute of Psychology, ranked number one in Poland for psychological research. Located in a newly renovated building in the very heart of Kraków, a vibrant city famous for its architecture, culture and quality of life, the Institute is a renowned centre of excellence and hosts research teams working on themes ranging from neuroimaging and neuroplasticity to health and social psychology.
Applicants must have a PhD (or equivalent) degree in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field including, computer science, applied mathematics, biology etc., obtained not earlier than in 2012(extensions possible for parental leave). Previous experience in MRI imaging is indispensable.Experiences with neuroimaging packages (SPM, FSL, Freesurfer and similar),structural MRI and DTIor large-scale MRI datasets will be a plus, but are not obligatory.
Terms of employment:
The position is initially available for is initially for 33 months (until end of December 2023). Salary for this position will be approximately 7300 PLN (Net) – for candidates who obtained their PhD after 2015, and approximately 8500 PLN (Net) – for candidates who obtained their PhD between 2012 and 2015. Both are sufficient for a high standard life in Kraków, where living costs are substantially lower than the EU average.
The position can be extended on the condition of receiving external funding. The candidate will be expected to apply for Polish and international tenure-track funding schemes such as the NAWA Chair Programme the NCN/Max Planck Dioscuri Programme (before beginning of the contract), and the NCN funding schemes (OPUS, SONATA, SONATA BIS, during his/her postdoc contract).
Benefits include health coverage (NFZ) for the candidate and his/her family, summer and winter holiday benefit for children and teenagers, childcare subsidy and sport and leisure activities/subsidies. The NeuroSmog project provides ample research funding for equipment, database access, software, conferences and collaborative travel.
To apply send aCV including a list of publications, research experience and scientific interests, and email addresses of two science or professional mentors for possible references to:m.szwed@uj.edu.plEnquiries are welcome, and should be sent to the same email address
Deadline for application is 26.02.2021.
Starting date is April 2021 but can be postponed in exceptional cases