Doctoral Researcher in Oxytocin Pharmaco-Neuroimaging (EU-MSCA Doctoral Network)

The OBI-TRANSCEND project (Oxytocin and Brain Imaging) is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) TRANSCEND Doctoral Network. The project will be hosted at KU Leuven (University of Leuven) under the supervision of Prof. dr. Kaat Alaerts, in close collaboration with Dr. Edward Debbaut and Prof. Emeritus Jean Steyaert from the Leuven University Hospital’s Expertise Center for Autism, and Prof. Bart Boets from the Department of Neurosciences.
At the international level, the project is embedded within a strong collaborative network, including Prof. dr. Linda Douw (Amsterdam University Medical Center) and Prof. dr. Lara Keuck (University of Bielefeld).

Where you will work
You will be based at the Neuromodulation Laboratory within the Rehabilitation Sciences Department at KU Leuven, a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that conducts both fundamental and applied research. The university promotes multidisciplinary collaborations and provides a dynamic, supportive environment for researchers at all stages of their careers.
Located in the vibrant city of Leuven, the doctoral candidate will enjoy a lively academic setting just twenty minutes from Brussels and within a few hours of major European hubs such as Amsterdam and Paris.
As part of the TRANSCEND Doctoral Network, research visits within Europe are planned at:
• University of Amsterdam, Netherlands (Dr. Linda Douw) – translational multiscale neuroscience
• University of Bielefeld, Germany (Dr. Lara Keuck) – philosophical aspects of translational research
Being embedded within the TRANSCEND network offers high-level training, workshops, and international collaboration opportunities to support your scientific and professional development.
KU Leuven strives to foster an environment in which all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality, or disability.
For questions about accessibility or support measures, please contact [emailprotected] .

Project

Intranasal administration of the neuropeptideoxytocinhas attracted growing scientific interest as a potential therapeutic strategy for alleviating the socio-communicative and stress-related difficulties experienced by individuals with autism. Following promising preclinical findings in animal models, oxytocin has been tested in numerous human clinical trials, though results have been mixed and inconsistent. The OBI-TRANSCEND project aims to advance a deeper mechanistic understanding of the neurophysiological substrates underlying both acute and repeated oxytocin administration, employing multi-modal neuroimaging techniques such as functional and anatomical MRI. Recognizing the substantial heterogeneity within the autism spectrum, a key objective is to identify mediating factors of treatment response, including symptom severity, hormonal profiles, epigenetic regulation of the oxytocin receptor gene, neuroimaging markers, and stress- and resilience-related indicators.

In addition to examining the clinical efficacy of oxytocin treatment through quantitative analyses, the project also embraces a qualitative research component aimed at exploring participants’ expectations and perceptions of oxytocin administration. This will be achieved through semi-structured interviews and assessments with individuals participating in oxytocin trials or engaging in off-label use.

This project forms part of theTRANSCEND Doctoral Network(https://biomed.au.dk/TRANSCEND-network/), funded by theEuropean Union’s Horizon Europe program.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher who:

• Holds aMaster’s degreein Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Rehabilitation Sciences, or a closely related discipline.
• Has a strong interest intranslational research, bridging neuroscience, clinical science, and patient experience.
• Is motivated to actively engage in scientific research, includingliterature review, data collection, neuroimaging data analysis, and reporting.
• Hasexperience with MRI analysisand strong skills in data analysis and programming.
• Demonstrates a keen interest in the clinical, psychosocial, andpatient-oriented dimensionsof research.
• Demonstrates excellentwritten and oral communication skills in Englishand the ability to work effectively ininternational, multidisciplinary teams.
• Possesses stronginterpersonal skillsand a collaborative mindset, including the willingness to work with researchers and societal partners.
• Worksindependently, proactively, and flexibly, adapting to evolving project needs.
• Is willing totravelfor data analyses, meetings, and secondments.

Strict MSCA Eligibility Requirements

• You mustnot hold a doctoral degreeat the time of recruitment.
• You must comply with themobility rule: you havenot resided or carried out your main activity in Belgiumfor more than 12 months in thepast 36 months.
• You may participate insecondmentsfor up toone-third of the fellowship duration.

Offer

• Afull-time, fixed-term positionfor one year with guaranteed funding, renewable up to amaximum of four years, aiming to complete aPhD within four years
• AnticipatedPhD start date: January or February 2026
• Apleasant, motivating, supportive, and productive environmentfor early-career researchers
• The opportunity to collaborate with researchers fromvarious disciplines

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Kaat Alaerts, tel.: +32 16 37 64 46, mail: [emailprotected].

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.