PhD student Biotype-based personalized rTMS in OCD

This PhD project is part of the NWO/ZonMw VICI grant Neuroplasticity in obsessive-compulsive disorder: from lifespan changes to better treatment outcomes. The project focuses on improving the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) through full treatment personalization.

Although rTMS is an evidence-based intervention, treatment response in OCD varies widely. Current protocols benefit only about one in three patients. This project aims to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches by personalizing rTMS at every level: target selection, stimulation parameters and alignment with the patient’s current brain state.

The project integrates three innovation lines:

• multimodal biotype identification, combining structural MRI, functional MRI, diffusion imaging, symptom profiles and behavioral measures to define neurobiological OCD biotypes;
• within-target personalized coil positioning, using MRI-guided neuronavigation and network-based metrics to optimize stimulation for each individual;
• n-of-1 trial design in clinical care, embedding intensive within-person trials in routine treatment to determine what works for whom and why.

A key strength of this PhD project is its close integration with clinical practice. Methods are developed and tested directly with clinicians and patients at Amsterdam UMC and GGZ inGeest. The project builds on ongoing and completed rTMS trials (e.g., TETRO, TIPICCO), providing access to high-quality multimodal datasets and established protocols.

As a PhD student you contribute to the development of a personalized neurostimulation framework for OCD. You work at the intersection of computational neuroscience, neuroimaging and clinical psychiatry, with direct clinical impact.

Your main activities are:

• analyzing and integrating multimodal MRI data for biotype identification;
• applying machine learning and advanced statistical models to predict treatment response;
• optimizing individualized rTMS targeting using neuronavigation and computational modeling;
• designing and conducting n-of-1 trials embedded in routine clinical care;
• disseminating findings through scientific publications and conference presentations.

You also supervise bachelor’s and master’s students and participate in graduate school training.

A four-year, full-time PhD position at Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, within the Department of Psychiatry and the Amsterdam Neuroscience research institute. You will be supervised by prof. dr. O.A. van den Heuvel (Principle Investigator), prof. dr. Ysbrand van de Werf, dr. Willem Bruin and dr. Sophie Fitszimmons. You will be enrolled in the graduate school for neuroscience (ONWAR), a nationally recognized program providing interdisciplinary neuroscience training and professional development. 

You are motivated to translate advanced methodology into meaningful clinical applications. You bring:

• a completed master’s degree in neuroscience, psychology, artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering or a related field;
• strong skills in data analysis, machine learning or computational modeling, preferably applied to neuroimaging data;
• experience with programming and data analysis (e.g. Python, MATLAB, R);
• affinity with neuroimaging research, preferably including MRI data analysis;
• excellent command of English, both spoken and written.

Dutch is helpful for clinical interaction but not mandatory.