PhD in Zebrafish Neurodegeneration & Advanced Imaging

Amsterdam UMC; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 57,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

University of York invites a motivated researcher to join the POLARIS training network, combining zebrafish disease modelling with advanced imaging and phenotyping. You will undertake planned secondments with POLARIS partners, gaining hands-on experience in behavioural analysis and preclinical imaging, while aligning readouts with clinically meaningful endpoints.

The position includes a 12-month contract with potential extension to three years, embedding in an international, interdisciplinary

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in life sciences or related field.
• Experience with microscopy and image-data analysis.
• Experience with behavioural or neurological phenotyping is advantageous.
• Experience with animal research and robust experimental design is advantageous.
• Interest in developing imaging analysis pipelines using innovative approaches.
• Experience with coding and GA3 Elements or similar software is advantageous.
• Strong interest in aligning preclinical readouts with clinically meaningful endpoints.
• Willingness to work with different disease models and benchmark assays.
• Curious, reproducible approach to research with attention to detail and planning.
• Good communication and collaboration across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and standardise behavioural assays across multiple zebrafish models of leukodystrophy.
• Characterise disease phenotypes using multimodal imaging.
• Apply advanced imaging techniques including MRI and high-resolution microscopy.
• Develop and refine imaging analysis pipelines using quantitative methods.
• Compare and benchmark preclinical outcomes across disease models.
• Identify robust readouts to support zebrafish in preclinical therapy development.
• Collaborate across research environments and interdisciplinary teams.

Skills

Microscopy & image-analysis

Behavioural phenotyping

Coding

Machine learning

Quantitative image analysis

Communication & collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in life sciences

Tools

GA3 Elements

Imaging software

Job description

University of York invites a motivated researcher to join the POLARIS training network, combining zebrafish disease modelling with advanced imaging and phenotyping. You will undertake planned secondments with POLARIS partners, gaining hands-on experience in behavioural analysis and preclinical imaging, while aligning readouts with clinically meaningful endpoints.

The position includes a 12-month contract with potential extension to three years, embedding in an international, interdisciplinary