Doctoral Candidate (PhD student position) / DC2 for MSCA Doctoral Network “Brain Health in Menopaus (KHS-41562)

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

The Department of Neurology at Jena University Hospital offers a PhD position for a doctoral candidate/MSCA fellow for the project: “Neurocognitive assessment and brain changes in postmenopausal women”. The position is part of the EU-funded Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network MenoBrain “Brain Health in Menopausal Women” with full-time employment for a duration of 3 years, starting in February 2026.  

Objective of the project: This PhD project aims to investigate neurocognitive changes and brain ageing processes in postmenopausal women. The doctoral candidate will conduct longitudinal neurocognitive assessments and analyse trajectories in attention, memory, and executive functions. These data will be linked to structural brain changes through longitudinal BrainAGE modelling, developed in close collaboration with methodological expertise at UKJ. Systemic and metabolic markers will be integrated to explore their association with cognitive and brain changes. The project is designed to advance understanding of menopause-related cognitive ageing and its possible relevance for dementia risk. The candidate will be trained at the interface of neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and data analysis within an interdisciplinary European research network.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

We expect the applicant to hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) in Health and/or Life Sciences (e.g., Psychology, Cognitive Sciences, Neurobiology). In addition, the applicant should demonstrate the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team, and have at least basic proficiency in German. Desirable methodological skills: A strong theoretical background in cognitive and neural functions, experience in cognitive assessment and neuroscientific research, advanced knowledge of statistics, as well as an interest in neuroimaging techniques and complex data analysis are highly desirable. Very good language skills in English are required.  

MSCA eligibility (must-have): At the time of recruitment, candidates must be in the first four years of their research career, must not hold a doctoral degree, and must not have resided in Germany or carried out their main activity (work or study) there for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the recruitment date.

We offer you even more:

We offer a fully funded MSCA fellowship with network-wide training weeks, summer schools, international conference participation, and interdisciplinary training through secondments (Barcelona, Uppsala).  

Salary and allowances are provided according to Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) funding rules, including mobility and, if applicable, family allowances.  

Selection process: Interested candidates please send a motivation letter, a CV including publications (if available), copies of university degrees and courses (including obtained grades), and the names and e-mail addresses of two scientists who can provide references (all summarized in one pdf) to menobrain@med.uni-jena.de. Please indicate the DC position (DC2) you applying for. Applications that do not meet the profile and/or the above criteria cannot be considered. Preferential treatment will be given to applications received before 15 December 2025.  

For more information concerning the research project please contact Prof. Dr. Kathrin Finke (phone: +49-3641-9323474, email: Kathrin.Finke@med.uni-jena.de.

Reference number: DM41/2025

* Limited to 36 months

Regardless of origin, age, gender or disability - you are welcome here at Jena University Hospital.

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