Dear all, We are happy to announce the opening of a PhD position in the group of Dr. Demian Battaglia within the Functional System Dynamics team at the University of Strasbourg, France ( [ https://funsyteam.org/ | https://funsyteam.org/ ] ). The recruited graduate student will work in close collaboration with the group of Dr. Laura Harsan and the IMIS team at the University Hospital of Strasbourg, specialized in rodent and human neuroimaging. The project aims to develop new approaches for modeling large-scale brain activity by combining mechanistic connectome-based models with modern machine-learning methods. Mean-field brain models grounded in structural connectivity provide mechanistic interpretability and allow researchers to reverse-engineer the dynamical principles underlying brain activity, but they remain simplified and only partially faithful to empirical data. In contrast, artificial neural networks can achieve high predictive accuracy when modeling neural time series, yet they are often difficult to interpret mechanistically. The project will explore the concept of a “hybrid twin,” a modeling framework that couples mechanistic brain models with data-driven neural networks to jointly achieve interpretability and empirical fidelity. These methods will be applied to the analysis of rodent and human fMRI data across multiple pathological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, and alcohol use disorder. We are seeking candidates with a background in computational neuroscience, computer science, physics, mathematics, or related fields, and a strong motivation to work on digital neurohealth applications. Applicants should have solid programming skills (e.g., Python, C/C++, Matlab), good communication skills in English (oral and written), and the ability to work effectively in an international team. Curiosity and open-mindedness are particularly valued, as our group tends to develop original methods tailored to specific scientific questions rather than simply applying existing ones. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: March 22, 2026 Please send your application, including a CV, motivation letter, publications if any (preprints accepted), and the contact details of at least two academic references who can provide recommendation letters. Pre-selected candidates will be interviewed over Zoom. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to a formal oral interview before a local committee for final qualification and selection. The University of Strasbourg hosts a dynamic and growing neuroscience community spanning research from molecules and cells to whole-brain imaging and behavior, closely connected with clinical research. The city’s location at the crossroads of France, Germany, and Switzerland fosters interactions with leading transnational computational neuroscience centers. Strasbourg, one of the capitals of the European Union, offers a vibrant cultural and student life and is well connected by high-speed train to major European cities (e.g., less than two hours from Paris and Frankfurt). We strongly encourage applications from candidates belonging to groups underrepresented in STEM. CONTACT: Demian Battaglia ( dbattaglia@unistra.fr) Laura Harsan ( harsan@unistra.fr)