Vacancy Postdoctoral Researcher in Quantitative MRI, Blood Biomarkers, and Lifestyle Intervention Effects in Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Researcher to join the project “Plasma p-tau217 biomarker enriched analyses in a multidomain AD prevention trial.” This project investigates how plasma p-tau217 -one of the most promising blood biomarkers for early Alzheimer’s disease (AD)- can improve the detection of at-risk individuals and help explain how lifestyle interventions influence brain health, vascular function, and cognition.

This position is embedded at the intersection of several leading groups at Radboud University and Radboudumc. Together, these groups offer a unique multidisciplinary environment at the forefront of AD prevention, aging research, cognitive neuroscience, and quantitative neuroimaging.
 
Position
You will work with the HELI study: a completed 6-month, multicentre, randomized lifestyle intervention in 100 older adults with modifiable AD risk factors. The goal is to combine blood biomarkers -including newly measured p-tau217- with advanced MRI measures (ASL, QSM) to understand who benefits most from lifestyle-based AD prevention.

You will contribute to high-impact translational research that informs future AD prevention trials, especially participant selection and mechanistic understanding of lifestyle interventions. 

Flexible hybrid working is possible: data analysis and statistical work can be done remotely, with regular on-site meetings for team collaboration and integration with clinical and imaging experts.
 
Responsibilities

• Analyse plasma p-tau217 and other AD-related biomarkers to stratify participants into AD+ and AD− subgroups.
• Investigate how p-tau217 status modifies cognitive outcomes of the lifestyle intervention.
• Use longitudinal QSM and ASL MRI to study changes in cerebral blood flow, oxygen metabolism, and brain iron load (between baseline (0 months) and after 6 months).
• Work closely with specialists in geriatric medicine, cognitive aging, nutrition, and MRI to integrate datasets into a coherent mechanistic framework.
• Prepare manuscripts, present findings at international conferences, and contribute to grant proposals and new collaborations.

 What makes this position attractive?

• Work at a European leader in AD prevention research, with access to a uniquely rich intervention dataset.
• Join a team combining clinical medicine, neuropsychology, nutrition, and quantitative imaging—a rare interdisciplinary environment.
• Contribute to urgent, high-impact questions about early detection and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Collaborate across institutes within the Donders Institute and Radboudumc, known for outstanding neuroscience and medical research.
• Engage with a vibrant international research network and opportunities for follow-up projects and career development.

This position offers the opportunity to understand how blood biomarkers and brain imaging can predict and track the impact of lifestyle on Alzheimer’s disease risk—paving the way for better-targeted prevention strategies.

We have obtained funding for a 2-year full time post-doc position, starting date between February 2 (earliest) and May 4 (latest) 2026.

To read more on the  HELI study: doi: 10.2196/69814. For background on QSM and arterial spin labeling MRI, to derive brain iron concentration and quantify regional cerebral blood flow, brain metabolism and oxygen extraction, see Ayton et al. Brain 2017, Biondetti et al. Neuroimage 2023, and our own publications: Chan & Marques, 2021, Marques et al., 2010. 

Place of work

Your main base will be the Research Department of Geriatric Medicine, located on the top floor in the new main builiding of the Radboudumc together with the clinical department. Our research group has two Research Group Leaders (Marcel Olde Rikkert and Jurgen Claassen) and three senior scientists, a post-doc, and a group of PhD candiates and research assistants. This group will provide you with a warm and social workbase, and it will expose you to various research methods and clinical research specific to dementia and ageing medicine. 

For your research, you will also have access to the research facilities of the renowned Donders Institute for Cognitive Neuroimaging, which is just across the street from Radboudumc. 

Your supervisors for this project will be dr Jurgen Claassen (Radboudumc, geriatrician, associate professor), dr José Marques, MRI researcher (Donders), prof. Esther Aarts (Donders, nutritional scientist and PI of the HELI study) and prof. Joukje Oosterman (Radboud University, neuropsychology).
All supervisors have also been involved in the HELI study.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where our research groups strive for innovative solutions that make impact on health and healthcare. We challenge the status quo to overcome current and future health challenges. Our goal is to shape the future of healthcare for generations to come. Our focus is on prevention, sustainability, and meaningful care, which we achieve through our in-depth understanding of disease mechanisms, clinical science, public health research, medical technology and data science. Our approach is centered on breakthroughs that can truly enhance personalized healthcare and public health. 

At Radboudumc, a comprehensive range of research programs provide the compass for our research efforts. Each program has a clear goal, where collaboration within and outside our organization is highly valued. We integrate care, education and research in partnership with our patients to ensure that our research programs have significant impact on health and healthcare. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a healthy future for all.

Profile

The ideal candidate has established experience in brain MRI imaging, preferably with experience in QSM and ASL. You also have statistical skills to perform multifactorial analyses. You can work independently but know when to ask for help or guidance. Your work attitude shows scientific integrity and helps maintain a work environment with social and psychological safety. 

What you bring

• PhD in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, psychology, medical imaging, epidemiology, or related field.
• Experience with clinical or neuroimaging data analysis.
• Skills in statistics, programming (R, Python, or MATLAB), and preferably familiarity with MRI (ASL, QSM) or biomarker research.
• Strong motivation to work across disciplines and connect biological, imaging, and behavioral outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset.

Employment conditions

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• A gross monthly salary between € 3.598 and € 5.669 (scale 10) for full-time employment (36 hours per week). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and, depending on the position, an allowance of 47% to 72% for working irregular hours.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week. 

And there is more..

• An Employment Conditions Selection Model, allowing you to use part of your employment conditions to your choosing. For example, you can use your gross salary to purchase additional vacation hours or hours for providing informal caregiving. Or, for example, you can use your gross end-of-year bonus to purchase a bicycle, so you pay less tax.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. 
• Your well-being and vitality are a priority. For example:
  • Save time for work-life balance leave. 
  • You can enjoy unlimited access to a variety of activities five days a month and take advantage of all the facilities at Radboud Sport & Culture for only €27.05 per month (instead of €41)
  • Healthy Professionals program to help you manage your energy. 
  • Company Support Team and a personal coach if you are going through a life-changing event.
  • Financially beneficial working less through a Generation Scheme as you approach state pension age.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. Examples:
  • Advice and courses on, for example, 'Millennial dilemmas' and 'Your Career After 57'.
  • Activities at our own mindfulness center.
  • Informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• In addition to statutory pregnancy and maternity leave, Radboud university medical center offers 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid. In addition, as a partner you can take a maximum of five weeks of supplementary partner leave. During supplementary partner leave and parental leave, we supplement the UWV benefit up to 100% of your salary.
• Pension accrual at the ABP Pension Fund. Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. 
• Discounts on supplementary packages of two group health insurances and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your commuting costs of € 0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km one way. If you use public transport to commute, we will fully reimburse the public transport costs (2nd class). If you regularly work from home, you will receive a working from home allowance of € 2.40 per day.

 

Application procedure

Are you ready to think further for our patients and our care? We would like to receive your application before 29 December 2025. We will then contact you shortly.

Good to know

• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).
• You can find more information about our application procedure and frequently asked questions on our website.
• Will you be our new colleague? Then you will be given the time and space to get to know your role, your workplace, and your colleagues. An induction day for all new colleagues is an integral part of your onboarding program. 

We are recruiting for this position ourselves. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated, but do feel free to share the vacancy in your network!

Contact

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then send an email to Jurgen Claassen, associate professor, research group leader, geriatrician. Use the Apply button to submit your application.