Doctoral Grant, Effect Of Hearing Loss And Vestibular Decline On Cognitive Function In Older Subjects University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Belgium

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is seeking to fill a full-time (100%) vacancy in the Department of Translational Neurosciences for a

Doctoral Grant by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) in the area of “Effect Of Hearing Loss And Vestibular Decline On Cognitive Function In Older Subjects: Correlation With Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials And MRI Brain Volume Changes”

The world population has been aging dramatically, with 12% aged 60 years or older, and a rising number developing dementia. Yet, until now no cure or therapy to slow down the disease has been identified. Recent studies have established that hearing loss increases the risk for developing dementia. Because hearing loss can be treated with a hearing aid or cochlear implantation, this could potentially delay the onset of dementia. Many studies have reported improvement in cognition after hearing rehabilitation, but this might have been caused by just hearing the mostly verbal tests better. Many studies have demonstrated that balance organ function, located in the inner ear, also has an effect on cognition. However, while hearing loss and balance organ function loss often occur simultaneously, it has not been systematically evaluated in older adults. Our aim is to study the effect of hearing loss and balance organ function loss on learning and memory (i.e. cognition) in older subjects (55 years or older) and patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. We will do so by systematically evaluating hearing and vestibular function in these subjects, by using a cognitive assessment tool that is adapted to a potentially hearing-impaired population, by using objective measurements of electrical activity in the auditory cortex evoked by sound and by analyzing MRI volume changes in relevant areas of the brain to detect who is at risk for developing cognitive impairment.

Job description

• You prepare a doctoral thesis and publish scientific articles related to the research project of the assignment.
• You contribute to teaching and research in the faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Profile and requirements

• You hold a master’s degree in Medicine, Biomedical Sciences or Audiology.
• You can submit outstanding academic results.
• Foreign candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Your academic qualities comply with the requirements stipulated in the university’s policy.
• You are quality-oriented, conscientious, creative and cooperative.
• Experience with neuroimaging, audiovestibular testing and cognitive testing is recommended.

We offer

• a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years, with the possibility of renewal for a further two-year period after positive evaluation;
• the start date of scholarship will be March 1st, April 1st or May 1st 2019;
• a gross monthly grant ranging from € 2.373,36 tot € 2.516,73;
• a dynamic and stimulating work environment.

How to apply?

• Applications may only be submitted online until the closing date January 15th 2019 and should include a copy of your CV and a cover letter.
• A pre-selection will be made from amongst the submitted applications.
• The remainder of the selection procedure is specific to the position and will be determined by the selection panel.
• The interviews of the candidates, preselected by a selection panel, will take place on January 31st 2019.
• More information about the application form can be obtained from vacatures@uantwerpen.be.
• For questions about the profile and the description of duties, please contact prof. dr. Vincent Van Rompaey (vincent.vanrompaey@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp is a family friendly organization, with a focus on equal opportunities and diversity. Our HR-policy for researchers was awarded by the European Commission with the quality label HR Excellence in research.

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