PhD in the Kavli Institute’s Aging Neuroscience Group

1000scholars; Trondheim; On-site; NOK 522,000 - 638,000; Full time

Job summary

NTNU invites applications for a three-year PhD position in the Aging Neuroscience Group. The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge imaging research (7T MRI) and behavioral testing to understand emotional aging and social-emotional processing in late life. The project collaborates with St.

Olav's Hospital and international partners. The role requires a Master’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, biomedical sciences or equivalent and proficiency in English.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to analyze imaging data (MRI)
• Ability to design studies and conduct data collection and analyses
• Must meet admission requirements for the faculty Doctoral Programme, with a strong academic record and an average grade of B or better
• Strong written English and ability to publish in scientific journals

Responsibilities

• Carry out high-quality research contributing to the Aging Neuroscience project
• Design studies and collect data (fMRI and behavioral)
• Perform data analyses and interpretation
• Complete doctoral education to obtain a PhD
• Publish academic and popular science outputs
• Participate in lab activities and international conferences/research stays

Skills

Imaging data analysis

Programming (MATLAB/Python)

Statistics & literature review

English written communication

Research alignment & motivation

Master's degree requirement

Education

Master's degree in psychology, neuroscience, biomedical sciences or equivalent

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

//# PhD in the Kavli Institute's Aging Neuroscience GroupKavliinstitutt for nevrovitenskapTrondheim, NorwayPhD / Doctoral07 Nov 2026## About the position## PhD in the Kavli Institute's Aging Neuroscience GroupWe have a vacancy for a## This is NTNUNTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.## About the position and projectThis three-year PhD position will be part of the Aging Neuroscience Group, which explores the structural and functional neural networks underlying social and emotional processing in aging.We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic candidate to join the lab early 2027, to help better understand the emotional and brain changes that occur in aging.Dr Ziaei's group aims to explore how individual differences in emotion perception can help us to better understand emotional aging brain. We are running a multi-modal study in which we examine social-emotional processes among individuals with late-life depression. We will examine the whole brain as well as regions that are critical for stress and emotional response, such as the locus coeruleus. The use of 7T MRI scanner will allow us to better characterize these deep structures and identify how their structural and functional integrity will change as a function of disease. For more information on the projects and papers we have published, please visit this website: Brain Health Platform | Maryam Ziaei OR Maryam Ziaei - NTNU.As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in research.Your immediate leader will be group leader Maryam Ziaei.## Duties of the position- Carry out research of excellent quality, contributing to the research project outlined above- design of studies- data collection (fMRI and behavioral testing)- data analyses- Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate- Academic publications and popular science dissemination- Participate in the research group's activities- Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutionsBe prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.## Required selection criteria- Proficiency in analyses of imaging data such as structural MRI and functional MRI- Experience in programing (e.g. Matlab or Python)- Proficiency in literature review and advanced statistical analyses- Excellent written communication skills in English- A statement of research interest that aligns with the lab's goal- You must have a relevant Master's degree in psychology, neuroscience, biomedical sciences or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master's thesis.Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.- You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme (link), see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.- You must have a strong and relevant academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works.The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.## Preferred selection criteria- Experience in working ultra-high field imaging data- Experience in data collection and management of behavioral and imaging data- Experience of working with older adults and/or clinical populations- Experience in machine learning and advanced analytical approaches## Personal characteristicsTo complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:- Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject- Work independently in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them- Present and discuss your research with other professionals- Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback- Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions- Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as neededEmphasis will be placed on personal qualities.## We offer- Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleaguesThe working environment in KISN provide great opportunities for students to learn across discipline and have access to world leading groups in memory, space, and hippocampus in animal and human. This position is in close collaboration with geropsychiatry department at St.Olav's hospital and international collaborators.As a student and employee, you will have access to cutting-edge science and infrastructure across KISN and NTNU. Additionally, we provide opportunities for PhD students to learn essential scientific skills for image analyses, and opportunities to attend relevant workshops and conferences in the field of imaging, neuroscience, and aging. We also encourage PhD students to upskill themselves with interpersonal skills crucial for the next stages of one's career path. These include effective collaboration and communication, public speaking skills, preparing for job interviews and time management.- An exciting job with an important mission in society- Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment- Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period- Working capital that can be used to implement the project- Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU- Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.## DiversityDiversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.## Salary and conditionsIn the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.The employment period is 3 years.For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in neuroscience within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.The position is conditional on external funding.As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically