PhD candidate 'Effects that the gut microbiome exerts on emotion regulation in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)'

We are looking for motivated scientists to work on the effects that the gut microbiome exerts on emotion regulation in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). You will join the team The IMPACT2 project, part of the IMPACT consortium.

According to the DSM-5, ADHD is a condition with no intrinsic emotional component. However, literature on childhood ADHD shows that emotion regulation problems are frequent and strongly affect quality of life in terms of education, profession, social functioning.

Our project will investigate biological underpinnings of emotion regulation including neural substrates (through structural and functional MRI), genetic risk factors, and environmental influences. It will generate new insights into the influence of diet and the microbiome on neurobiological determinants of ADHD taking into account the influence of host genetics, lifestyle, socio-economic environment, and variations in food culture. For this study, we can rely on extensive, high quality infrastructure of existing datasets. In addition, new data are also collected. The project will set-up a novel approach combining brain imaging with microbiome research and is supervised by Dr. Martine Hoogman, Dr. Alejandro Arias-Vasquez, Prof. Han Brunner and Prof. Barbara Franke. The position is funded for 48 months, starting early 2018.

You will be employed at the Department of Human Genetics of the Radboudumc and have the opportunity to collaborate and interact with renowned experts in the fields of psychiatry, microbiology, neuroscience, bioinformatics and genetics. You will have plenty of opportunities to learn novel (analytical) techniques, ‘-omics’ analysis and work with cutting edge approaches. Also, you will participate in carrier-developing training opportunities and receive direct advices to develop as a successful and happy independent researcher.

Tasks and responsibilities
The applicant will:

• Become a member of the IMPACT2 hands-on team and will contribute to (neuroimaging) data collection for the IMPACT2 project;
• Become a member of the international IMPACT group taking part in (international) scientific meetings;
• Contribute to development of new knowledge on the subject of emotion regulation in ADHD;
• Perform scientific research, writes scientific publications and presents findings at meetings.