PhD Position: Computational Cognitive Neuroscience – Multisensory Perceptual Inference, Learning and Attention

1. Introduction

Are you fascinated by how the brain makes sense of the senses in a complex, dynamic, multisensory world? Curious about how it forms perceptual decisions under uncertainty? How it flexibly binds information from multiple senses and adapts to ever-changing environments?

2. Job description

Join our multidisciplinary team to study the computations and neural mechanisms underlying some of the brain’s most fundamental challenges: perceptual inference and decision making, learning, attention and probabilistic/statistical computation.

Your research will combine computational modelling (Bayesian, neural network), psychophysics, and/or neuroimaging (fMRI, including ultra-high-field (7T) fMRI, MEG/EEG) to explore these processes.

As a PhD candidate, you will also have the opportunity to develop valuable skills by mentoring students, participating in international conferences, and collaborating with leading researchers. We offer access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a 7T fMRI scanner, and a supportive environment for your academic and professional development. Your teaching load may be up to 5% of your working time.

3. Profile

• You have an MSc or BSc degree in neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, psychology, computer science, physics, engineering, or a related field with a strong quantitative background.
• You are enthusiastic about research and excel academically.
• You have excellent data analysis and statistics skills and are proficient in relevant programming languages and software.
• Prior experience with psychophysics, fMRI, MEG/EEG or computational modelling (e.g. Bayesian, neural network) would be a plus.
• Prior research in perception, attention, statistical learning or related fields would be advantageous.
• You are proactive, self-motivated, enjoy working independently and are also a team player who thrives in a collaborative and open lab culture. 

4. We are

The PhD position is based in the Multisensory Perception,Learning and Attention lab, headed by Prof. Uta Noppeney, at the Donders Centres for Cognitive Neuroimaging and Neuroscience. Our lab aims to understand how the brain processes and interacts with the multisensory world. We employ a multidisciplinary approach combining computational modelling (Bayesian, neural network), psychophysics, and neuroimaging (3T & 7T fMRI, MEG, EEG, TMS). We are committed to fostering a friendly, inclusive, and collaborative lab culture.

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. 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 Cognitive Neuroimaging centre is equipped with four MRI scanners (7T, 3x 3T), a 275-channel MEG system, an EEG-TMS laboratory, several MR-compatible EEG systems, and high-performance computational facilities. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary and supportive research environment with diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute. The Donders Institute is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such encourages applications from women and minorities.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1,5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).     
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,901 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,707 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• 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 Uta Noppeney. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. The first interviews will take place on 16 January. Starting date is flexible but ideally between April and September 2025. 

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