As part of the EUTOPIA_HEALTH project, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania invites researchers, including PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, to participate in the intensive transdisciplinary training Advanced Data Analysis Techniques to Identify Biomarkers of Mental Health Disorders for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment (Neural Biomarkers – fMRI, EEG, Digital Phenotyping).
Practical information
- Dates: 5–7 November 2026
- Venue: Babeș-Bolyai University, Inspire Platform, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Duration: 3 full days
- Language: English
- Format: In-person
Course description:
As part of the EUTOPIA_HEALTH project, Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) invites researchers, including PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, to participate in an intensive transdisciplinary training focused on advanced neuroimaging approaches for identifying biomarkers of mental health disorders.
The training combines theoretical lectures with hands-on practical sessions, providing participants with an introduction to the complete functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis workflow. Planned topics include the fundamentals of fMRI, image processing, data preprocessing and quality control, statistical modelling and inference, visualization and interpretation of neuroimaging results, as well as selected advanced applications such as brain connectivity or longitudinal fMRI analyses. Practical sessions will also address common challenges in neuroimaging data analysis, data management, and troubleshooting, while dedicated time will be reserved for participants’ questions and discussion of their own datasets.
To maximize learning outcomes, the final programme will be refined based on participants’ backgrounds, prior experience, and training needs. Depending on the group’s progress, the balance between theoretical content, practical exercises, and advanced topics may be adjusted to provide additional hands-on experience and targeted methodological support.
Trainers:
Professor of Biological Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience
Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
Dr. Annika Konrad is Professor of Biological Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience at Technische Universität Dresden. Her research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying social cognition, empathy, and emotion processing. She has extensive expertise in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), advanced neuroimaging data analysis, and statistical modelling. Through her work, she combines cognitive neuroscience with translational research to investigate brain function and contributes to the development of innovative neuroimaging methodologies. In this training, she will share her expertise in fMRI research, neuroimaging analysis, and the interpretation of brain imaging data.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
Dr. Lara Maliske is a researcher at the Chair of Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden. Her research focuses on how social-affective and social-cognitive processes are represented within large-scale brain networks and how these networks interact across different contexts. She uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI), connectivity analyses, and advanced neuroimaging methods to investigate the interactions between brain regions and networks. Her expertise includes functional connectivity, social brain networks, and neuroimaging data analysis. During the training, she will provide practical insights into connectivity analyses and network-based approaches for studying brain function.
Who can apply
Researchers, including PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, with a relevant background in Health/ Health-related domains, particularly those interested in neuroimaging applications in mental health research and with little or no prior experience in fMRI data analysis.
from the EUTOPIA_HEALTH consortium:
- Widening partners: Babes-Bolyai University (UBB), Romania; University of Ljubljana (UL), Slovenia; NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA), Portugal
- Non-widening partners: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium; Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (UNIVE), Italy; CY Cergy Paris University (CY), France; University of Gothenburg (GU), Sweeden; Pompeu Fabra University Barcelona (UPF), Spain; University of Warwick (UW), United Kingdom
How to apply
- Fill in the registration form by 25 September 2026.
- Selection will be carried out by UBB by 2 October 2026, based on the number of available places, applicants’ commitment to attend all training sessions, the relevance of their academic profile, their motivation to participate, and the need to ensure balanced representation across the EUTOPIA_HEALTH partner institutions.
Software requirements
Participants should bring their own laptops with MATLAB and SPM12 installed. Installation instructions will be provided to all selected participants before the course.
Important notes
- Participation is free of charge.
- Up to 25 participants from Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) and up to 5 participants from the other EUTOPIA_HEALTH partner institutions will be selected, subject to room capacity. Depending on demand, this allocation may be adjusted.
- Selected applicants from institutions other than UBB will be responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation.
- For any questions, please contact us at health.eutopia@ubbcluj.ro