Postdoctoral Researcher / PhD Student (f/m/x) – Digital Alzheimer’s Research

Fixed-term for 2 years, extension possible, full-time Site: Magdeburg

The German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) is a globally leading, internationally oriented research institution dedicated to discovering new approaches for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Join the Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience group, led by Dr David Berron. Our research spans the functional architecture of human memory and the medial temporal lobe, how Alzheimer’s pathology disrupts these systems from the earliest disease stages onward, and the development of disease stage-specific imaging and smartphone-based digital cognitive markers.

Your tasks will include:

• Preparing, cleaning, and harmonizing clinical, cognitive, imaging, blood-based biomarker, and smartphone-based datasets across cohorts
• Developing and applying regression and linear mixed-effects models to detect, monitor, and predict subtle cognitive impairment and future change
• Supporting ongoing data collection in local and national research cohorts, including monitoring participant adherence and communication
• Collaborating with our international partners and consortia
• Preparing manuscripts and presenting results at international conferences

• PhD in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, biostatistics, or a related field
• Passion for cognitive research and neuropsychology, and a genuine interest in cognitive impairment in early-stage neurodegenerative diseases, particularly through smartphone-based, remote cognitive assessment, and translational research approaches
• Experience with longitudinal modeling of cognitive data (e.g., linear mixed-effects models, multilevel models) and intensive longitudinal designs
• Experience with ecological momentary assessments, experience sampling methods, or remote / ambulatory cognitive testing
• Experience in programming (R and/or Python) and data visualization
• Familiarity with fluid and imaging biomarkers (blood-based / CSF; MRI) is a plus, not a requirement
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications
• Good communication skills and ability to work in a small and open international team
• Fluency in written and spoken English; German is a plus, not a requirement

Candidates who meet most, but not all, of these points are still encouraged to apply. Applications for the PhD student track are equally welcome; requirements will be considered relative to career stage.

Disease-targeting treatments for Alzheimer’s disease work best when started early, ideally before clinical symptoms appear. But there is currently no scalable way to screen for early risk or monitor subtle change outside of costly, infrequent in-clinic visits. Smartphone-based cognitive assessments, completed remotely and repeatedly at home, can detect decline that a single annual assessment would miss. Our group develops and validates such tests and combines them with other biomarkers, such as blood-based or imaging biomarkers, for research and clinical use cases in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

This project focuses on the detection, monitoring and prediction of memory decline in early Alzheimer’s disease using data from national and international research cohorts as well as a real-world cohort, and builds on our earlier work using smartphone-based assessments to detect memory decline.

We offer an excellent research environment with access to datasets from richly phenotyped, biomarker-characterized cohorts on remote and unsupervised cognitive assessment, complemented by a network of close national and international collaborators and initiatives from the EU and US as well as industry. Close 1:1 supervision, regular lab meetings, and journal club are provided within an international, open-minded, experienced, ambitious and supportive team that gets along well beyond just working together.

• Innovation and internationality – a forward-looking infrastructure, modern laboratory and office equipment, software tools, and the opportunity for international exchange with your colleagues from 65 nations
• Focus on development – training programs tailored to your individual needs and annual HR development meetings for concrete prospects and potential development
• Health promotion – through our extensive range of company health programs in cooperation with Sozialwerk.Bund
• Work-life balance – we reconcile work and private life with flexible working hours, 30 days holiday (on top free on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve) and subsidized job / Germany ticket options
• Family-conscious corporate culture – because we know that family is important, we support you with our family service
• Remuneration and conditions according to TVöD-Bund – including annual special payment, capital-forming benefits, and VBL supplementary pension scheme

Excellence in research thrives on diverse perspectives and experiences. We stand for a respectful and open culture. We promote equal opportunities, remove barriers, and welcome applications from people across all dimensions of diversity. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities.

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