Back

The Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics (Nijmegen, the Netherlands) is offering a Senior Investigator position in the innovative area of Statistical Neurogenomics/Bioinformatics. The MPI in Nijmegen is one of the leading research institutes in the world, with a very stimulating environment, excellent facilities and resources, and no teaching obligations. It is the only institution devoted to the question of how we acquire, produce and understand language, and its investigations are highly multidisciplinary, uniting anthropology, linguistics, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and now genetics. The Language & Genetics Department represents a unique endeavour that was established in October 2010 with the central goal of defining the genetic architecture underlying speech and language. We use state-of-the-art methods and cutting-edge technologies to trace the connections between genes and language. Moreover, we benefit from close connections with expert teams in neuroscience and brain imaging at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, and in human genetics at the Human Genetics Department of Radboud University. We are seeking a Senior Investigator (Group Leader) to lead and develop new research programs. Candidates should be willing to orient their research towards the genetics of the brain, behavior and cognition. In addition, candidates should have proven expertise in developing/implementing data-analytical approaches in one or more of the following areas: - Advanced analysis of genome-wide association datasets, for example gene network/pathway approaches, expression QTLs, for behavioral, cognitive or psychiatric traits. - Next-generation-sequencing studies such as exome screening for identifying rare variants that influence heterogeneous human neurogenetic disorders/traits. - Multivariate statistical genetics approaches that are suitable for brain imaging genetics. - Bioinformatics or neuroinformatics with genomics (computational and analytic skills suited to large scale, multi-dimensional datasets). - Integrated analysis of genetic, gene expression, and other functional genomics datasets. Candidates should have a strong publication track record, excellent communication skills and experience in supervising junior scientists. The Senior Investigator will be expected to contribute significantly to major departmental research programs, and also to propose and lead independent projects. The Senior Investigator will also be involved in hiring and recruiting his/her team of junior scientists. The focus of your research should fit into our overall research portfolio - for details see our website: http://www.mpi.nl/research/research-projects/language-and-genetics-project . The position is available from May 2011. Dependent on the level of experience of the candidate, the term of appointment is 3 or 5 years, with a salary according to the German TVöD. Scientists in the Netherlands report among the highest job satisfaction ratings of any in the world. Applications will be considered on an on-going basis until the position is filled.

Additional information

For more information about the position, please contact Simon Fisher (simon.fisher@mpi.nl).

Apply for job

Applications should include: (i) a cover letter describing research background and interests, and specifically how they will be made to complement our departmental goals; (ii) a CV; (iii) a list of publications; (iv) the names and email addresses of three referees who would be willing to write letters of recommendation; Send applications to: Dr. Clyde Francks Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics Wundtlaan 1 6525 XD Nijmegen The Netherlands e-mail: clyde.francks@mpi.nl