Open PhD Position

PhD position as part of Innovation Training Network available in Nadine Lehnen’s group at the University Hospital Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München

Our group investigates mechanisms underlying functional disorders (FD), i.e., bodily complaints that greatly impact functioning and quality of life but are insufficiently explained by organic disease. We aim to directly translate our findings to a clinical setting in order to improve diagnosis and treatment options.

The open position is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovation Training Network (ITN) “Encompassing Training in fUnctional Disorders across Europe“ (ETUDE), funded by the European Commission, Horizon 2020 Program. For more information on the program structure, planned international research visits and eligibility see here.

The PhD candidate will investigate whether there is a trans-diagnostic mechanism underlying FD by examining sensory-motor processes in patients with different functional symptoms. The project builds on prior work indicating dysfunctional brain interaction between sensory input and expectations about sensory consequences of one’s own actions in FD (key papers see here and here).

Being an interdisciplinary project, the PhD candidate can choose approaches from behavioral, neurophysiological and/or computational neuroscience.

We are looking for candidates with a strong interest to work in an interdisciplinary team and welcome applicants with a degree in medicine, psychology, physiotherapy, behavioral, systems or computational neuroscience, health or sport sciences, engineering, computer science or mathematics.

Interested candidates are welcome to contact N.Lehnen@tum.de.