AI-informed adaptive mid-field MRI for personalized treatment of depression

1000scholars; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8.3% end-of-year bonus

Public transport reimbursement

Bike scheme

BeFrank pension

Job summary

Amsterdam UMC in Amsterdam, Netherlands, seeks a postdoctoral researcher to develop AI-informed mid-field MRI methods for predicting antidepressant treatment outcomes. You will integrate MRI perfusion measurements with questionnaire data and clinical variables, aiming to shorten scan times and improve prediction accuracy in precision psychiatry.

You will design an end-to-end prediction pipeline, test adaptive MRI acquisition strategies, and translate methods to scanner deployment, while

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with strong AI/machine learning background.
• Proven programming experience in Python and ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Experience with MRI or other medical imaging is advantageous.
• Excellent written and spoken English; ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Adapt predictive models to assess mid-field perfusion MRI feasibility for antidepressant outcomes.
• Develop an AI-based prediction pipeline combining MRI data with clinical/digital data.
• Implement and test adaptive MRI acquisition strategies with prototype models on scanners.
• Design and conduct a pilot MRI study in healthy volunteers.
• Publish results and contribute to the PRESS platform with consortium partners.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Reinforcement Learning

MRI & medical imaging

Clinical prediction modelling

Digital health data science

English communication

Education

PhD in AI/CS/biomedical engineering/physics/computational neuroscience/technical medicine

Job description

# AI-informed adaptive mid-field MRI for personalized treatment of depressionAmsterdam UMCAmsterdam, NetherlandsResearcher / ScientistReinforcement LearningComputational NeurosciencePsychiatry12 days left## About the positionJob description Depression affects many people, but antidepressant treatment does not work equally well for everyone. Predicting treatment outcomes early could help clinicians make more informed decisions and tailor treatment to individual patients. In this postdoc project, you will investigate how adaptive, AI-informed mid-field MRI, guided by questionnaire data, can provide clinically useful biomarkers for predicting antidepressant treatment outcomes. By combining artificial intelligence, brain imaging and digital mood and symptom data, you will work towards a more affordable and widely accessible approach to precision psychiatry. You will focus on three main areas: Exploring how adaptive mid-field MRI can reduce scan time and improve prediction performance compared with fixed scanning protocols, while remaining feasible in outpatient clinics and settings with limited resources. Designing an MRI-based prediction pipeline using perfusion measurements from relevant brain regions, acquired with arterial spin labelling (ASL). Developing adaptive MRI acquisition methods in which AI models, including reinforcement learning, determine what to scan next based on the information already collected. You will build on data from a large randomized clinical trial on treatment outcomes in major depressive disorder. Using these data, you will adapt existing prediction models and investigate whether mid-field perfusion MRI can support the early prediction of antidepressant treatment outcomes. You will develop an end-to-end prediction pipeline and translate your methods into an adaptive MRI strategy that can run directly on the scanner. You will also design and conduct a pilot MRI study in healthy volunteers, testing a prototype model deployed on the scanner. In addition, you will share your findings with the scientific community and contribute to the further development of the PRESS platform in collaboration with consortium partners from academia and industry. Your responsibilities include: Adapting existing predictive models to explore the feasibility of mid-field perfusion MRI for predicting antidepressant treatment outcomes. Developing an AI-based prediction pipeline that combines MRI perfusion measurements with relevant clinical and digital data. Implementing and testing adaptive mid-field MRI acquisition strategies, including a prototype model deployed on the scanner. Designing and conducting a pilot MRI study in healthy volunteers. Writing scientific papers, presenting your findings at international conferences and contributing to the integration of your methods into the PRESS platform.Requirements You have a PhD in artificial intelligence, computer science, (biomedical) engineering, physics, computational neuroscience, technical medicine or a closely related field. You enjoy developing new technical approaches and applying them to clinically relevant challenges. In addition, you bring: Strong programming skills, for example in Python, PyTorch or TensorFlow, and experience with modern machine learning workflows. An affinity with, and preferably experience in, one or more of the following areas: MRI or other medical imaging, reinforcement learning or sequential decision-making algorithms, and clinical prediction modelling or health data science. Experience with perfusion imaging or ASL is an advantage. A clear interest in mental health, neuroimaging and translational research at the intersection of AI and medicine. Excellent written and spoken English, good communication skills and the ability to work independently and proactively in a multidisciplinary research environment.Conditions of employment You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV. A contract for 12 months. Classification in salary scale 10: € 3.724 to € 5.867 gross for full-time employment (depending on experience). In addition to a good basic salary, we offer 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Calculate your net salary here . Holiday hours: 194.4 per year for full time and a possibility to save additional hours. 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs. If you travel by foot, bicycle, or car, a mileage allowance of €0.21 per km applies (up to a maximum of 40 km one way by car). Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension. Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.Employer Amsterdam UMC You will work at Amsterdam UMC in a multidisciplinary research environment involving the departments of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering & Physics. You will collaborate with clinical experts, imaging physics scientists and AI researchers to develop innovative MRI methods and translate them into meaningful outcomes for patients with depression. You will also work closely with industry partners in the PRESS consortium. These partners develop the digital platform and mid-field MRI enhancement technology that support the implementation of your methods. Together, you will explore how adaptive MRI and AI can contribute to more accessible healthcare, including in community-based and resource-limited settings. This position offers the opportunity to bring AI research from technical development to practical application in precision psychiatry. You will work at the interface of engineering, clinical research and industry, contributing to methods that could help make personalized depression treatment more widely accessible. Amsterdam UMC Research BV Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided. Watch the video to find out more.This listing was collected from a public source and is reproduced here forinformation only. Always confirm the details on the original posting before applying. View the original postingApply on the source siteTakes you to Amsterdam UMC.Deadline: 10 Nov 2026Duration: 36 hours per weekPosted: 28 Oct 2026Institution: Amsterdam UMCLocation: Amsterdam, NetherlandsSalary: €3724—€5867 per month