Body memories are defined as the sum of all bodily experiences that are stored in memory and influence behavior. Body memories have high clincial relevance because they contribute to the development of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety disorders or somatic symptoms. However, the neuronal mechanisms that underlie human body memories are poorly understood. In this project, we will uniquely combine ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging (UHF-fMRI) with electrophysiological recordings in patients to precisely investigate the representation and storage of multimodal (interoceptive, gustatory and tactile) bodily experiences.
The position will be situated at the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research(HIH), an internationally leading institute that is part of the German University Excellence Initiative at the Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Germany. The HIH, together with the Neurology Hospital, forms the Hertie Center for Neurology (HZN), which is dedicated to research, treatment and teaching focused on the diseases and disorders of the human brain. The candidate will work in close collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics Tübingen where a human 9.4 Tesla MRI scanner is located.
About the Project: The position will be based in the Translational Imaging of Cortical Microstructure Research Group lead by Prof. Dr. Esther Kühn. The successful applicant will investigate the representation and storage of human bodily experiences using a uniquely multidimensional approach via combining ultra-high field fMRI, electrophysiological single-unit recordings in patients, and digital symtom tracking (via a novel App). The position will critically contribute to understanding the impact of body memories on mental health and will contribute to establishing a larger-scale research program on this topic in Tübingen. The successful applicant will become part of the Graduate Training Center of Neuroscience (GTC), a structured PhD program where courses can be selected from a wide program, including courses on machine learning, computational modelling, soft skills, presentation skills, time management, and that includes co-supervision by an advisory board whose members (PIs) the successful applicant is free to select.
