Postdoc Position at the Donders Centre for Cognition - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

1. Introduction

Are you passionate about leveraging machine learning techniques to enhance neurotechnological systems such as brain-computer interfaces? Do you possess a solid foundation in neuroscience and machine learning for EEG signal analysis and neural decoding? If so, you are invited to become part of our Data-Driven Neurotechnology lab at the Donders Centre for Cognition. We invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher position to set up an experimental protocol for auditory attention decoding, acquiring an extensive EEG dataset, and performing sophisticated EEG analysis. The position is to be filled as soon as possible.

2. Job description

Neurotechnological systems such as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) allow researchers to record and interpret the ongoing brain activity of users in response to external stimuli. This enables them to design closed-loop applications for monitoring, for communication, for the control of devices or to support rehabilitation training. As brain signals are individual, noisy, and high-dimensional, machine learning methods play a crucial role in these systems.

This project focuses on developing a neuro-steered hearing device to address challenges faced by individuals with hearing loss, particularly in noisy environments. Even with hearing aids, many users struggle to focus on a single speaker in crowded spaces while ignoring background conversations. The goal of this project is to decode auditory attention, that is, determining, from ongoing brain activity, which of several speakers a person is actively listening to. This process, known as auditory attention decoding (AAD), leverages findings that EEG signals synchronise with the speech envelope of the attended speaker. Our research explores innovative stimulus protocols and advanced machine learning techniques to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of decoding auditory attention, paving the way for more effective hearing support systems.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be responsible for designing, setting up, and conducting non-invasive EEG experiments involving auditory speech stimuli with healthy human participants. You will also explore and implement various machine learning models using Python. The role includes disseminating findings through a high-impact publication in a scientific journal.

We value a strong commitment to open and reproducible science, which involves publishing well-documented code and adhering to FAIR principles for data sharing. Proficiency in English is essential, as it is the lingua franca in our international research lab.

We offer a part time (40%) position for an overall duration of 10 months. Throughout the project, you will receive guidance from Dr Jordy Thielen and Prof. Anne-Marie Brouwer, and be an integral part of the Data-Driven Neurotechnology Lab. The lab is situated within the AI department of the Donders Institute, offering additional opportunities for collaboration with experts in artificial intelligence, cognitive neuroscience, and other relevant fields. The position is part of a larger project on ’optimising intake of information’ on the broader topic of attention monitoring using neurophysiological signals. 

3. Profile

• You have obtained a PhD degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Cognitive Neuroscience, or a related discipline.
• You have a strong interest in neurotechnological systems such as brain-computer interfaces.
• You have experience with neuroscientific data such as EEG.
• You have an excellent background in mathematics and machine learning.
• You have strong Python programming skills, and you are familiar with libraries for neuroimaging data as well as for machine learning.
• You are used to collaborating on larger software projects, tools and infrastructure like computer clusters, version control etc.
• You have a passion for research.
• You have enthusiasm and the ability to work in an international team.
• You possess excellent written and spoken English language skills. 

4. We are

The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is a world-class interfaculty research centre that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Research at the Donders Institute is focused around four themes: 1. Language and communication, 2. Perception, action and decision-making, 3. Development and lifelong plasticity, 4. Natural computing and neurotechnology. Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Donders Institute has been assessed by an international evaluation committee as ‘excellent’ and recognised as a ‘very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for young talent’. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary and supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute.

The Data-Driven Neurotechnology lab is embedded in the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and in the department of Machine Learning and Neural Computing. Our research focuses on data-driven neurotechnology, i.e. domain-specific machine learning methods which allow to decode brain states in single trial and methods which permit to modulate the ongoing brain state.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract till 1 December 2025.
• Your salary within salary scale 11 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Dr Jordy Thielen. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on Friday 20 December. You will preferably start your employment as soon as possible.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information.