项目介绍

2026年6月1日

You will conduct research at the intersection of child and adolescent psychiatry and paediatric neurology, and will therefore be part of two research groups (the Centre for Developmental Psychiatry (CDP) and the Locomotor and Neurological Disorders research group). Your research ties in with ongoing studies into behavioural characteristics of potential psychiatric comorbidities in children with complex neurological disorders. This PhD programme therefore benefits from the synergy between these two departments.

Project

Psychiatric diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) occur at substantially higher rates in children with neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy).However, it remains unclear whether these psychiatric constructs are phenotypically equivalent when occurring in the context of underlying brain pathology. The validity of diagnostic instruments in this population remains unclear. Furthermore, the impact of diagnosis on intervention and support is yet to be investigated.
In this PhD, you will first study the phenotypic expression of psychiatric disorders in children with complex neurological disorders. Afterwards, you will evaluate the adequacy of diagnostic methods in this population. Finally, you focus on the impact of diagnosis on intervention and support.

Profile

You have acquired a masters’ degree in medicine and are a trainee in (child- and adolescent) psychiatryYou have excellent knowledge of Dutch and English, both verbally and writtenYou have a good knowledge base and some experience in child- and adolescent psychiatryYou can critically review theoretical information and empirical studies. You have a smooth writing style.You’re interested in working with complex phenotypical presentations in an often overlooked population with many needs.You can work independently but are also a team player and you’re not afraid to take initiative.You’re able to finish a doctoral thesis with guidance and support

Offer

We offer a full time position for 1 year, renewable for up to 4 years. The research should result into a PhD after 4 years. 

Interested?

Please include in your application file: 

• a cover letter with a clear motivation (1 page max)
• a CV

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Lyssa de Vries, mail: lyssa.devries@kuleuven.be or Mr. Sam Geuens, mail: sam.geuens@kuleuven.be.You can apply for this job no later than June 12, 2026 via the online application tool