The successful applicant will closely work together with Prof. Becker to develop and evaluate novel pharmacological and real-time fMRI / fNIRS-informed neurofeedback approaches to enhance emotion regulation in healthy subjects and translate these approaches into clinical application in addiction and anxiety disorders. For examples of our research in this field see also examples of recent publications below.
Research platform our group has access to 3T MRI (GE 750), including MRI-compatible psychophysiological (biopac) and eye-tracking (eyelink) equipment, and NIRS systems (NIRX) with already established real-time interfaces to allow neurofeedback and BCI applications. In addition, EEG, TMS, and genetic platforms are established and available. The lab has excellent domestic and international collaborations to facilitate scientific exchange and training.
Applicants should have a PhD in Neuroscience, Psychology, biomedical engineering or related fields. Applicants should have a strong background in experimental research, neuroimaging (fMRI or fNIRS experience is essential) or computational modelling. The successful applicant will receive strong support and will be integrated in our established domestic & international collaborations. We foster the development of an independent research track, promote new ideas and applications for domestic & international research funds.
The position Depending on the previous experience of the applicant a postdoc position (initially contracted for two years) or an associate researcher position can be negotiated, salary will be negotiated with respect to previous experience.
To apply send a curriculum vitae, statement describing research interests and relevant background, two letters of recommendation (alternatively two contacts willing to provide a recommendation), as well as relevant reprints/preprints of research articles as single pdf file to:
All application received by January 15th, 2020 will be considered. For informal inquiries & questions please feel free to contact me using the same mail contact.
Examples of our current research related to the research focus of the position:
Zhao Z, Yao S, Li K, Sindermann C, Zhou F, Zhao W, Li J, Luehrs M, Goebel R, Kendrick K, Becker B (2019) Real-time functional connectivity-based neurofeedback of amygdala-frontal pathways reduces anxiety. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 88(1):5-15.
Zhou F, Geng Y, Li J, Feng P, Liu C, Zhao W, Feng T, Guastella A, Ebstein, RP, Kendrick K, Becker B (2019) Human extinction learning is accelerated by an angiotensin antagonist via ventromedial prefrontal cortex and its connections with basolateral amygdala. Biological Psychiatry (Epub ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.07.007)
Li K, Jiang Y, Gong Y, Zhao W, Zhao Z, Liu. X, Kendrick K, Zhu C, Becker B (2019) Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) informed neurofeedback: regional-specific modulation of lateral orbitofrontal activation and cognitive flexibility. Neurophotonics 6(2):0250011
Xin F, Zhou F, Zhou X, Ma X, Geng Y, Zhao W, Yao S, Dong D, Biswal B, Kendrick K, Becker B (2018) Oxytocin modulates the intrinsic dynamics between attention-related large scale networks. Cerebral Cortex (Epub ahead of print, doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhy295)