Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an undeniable clinical success in the treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Yet, DBS exhibits a large outcome variability in individual patients and patients might suffer from stimulation-induced side effects. The sophistication of DBS systems is far ahead of the present understanding and clinical exploitation of the available stimulation features offered by the technology. Finding the right frequency, amplitude, and pulse width settings for an individual patient can be a cumbersome process. Within our European research consortium (Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Uppsala, Berlin), we aim to optimize DBS treatment through biophysical and statistical modelling, with a strong focus on electrophysiology (local field potential recordings) in Amsterdam.

We are looking for a postdoc who could contribute to one or more of the following research aims: 1) localizing spatial origins of LFP oscillations through inverse source modelling; 2) biophysical modelling of the effect of stimulation on electrophysiological activity; 3) applying optimization algorithms for optimal navigation through the stimulation parameter landscape. You are expected to take initiative in conducting the work and to present the project’s outcomes in scientific papers and at international conferences. There is an opportunity to supervise student projects, participate in data collection, and to take part in working visits to partners in the consortium. The work in this project will be conducted in close collaboration with the DBS Neurology group at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers location AMC. You are expected to regularly visit the AMC hospital for attending research meetings and to conduct parts of your work, as appropriate. The project will be supervised by Dr. Bernadette van Wijk (VU University Amsterdam) and Dr. Martijn Beudel (Amsterdam University Medical Centers).

Please consider applying if you’re interested.

Kind regards,

Dr. Bernadette van Wijk

Department of Human Movement Sciences

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The Netherlands