The positions are part of an ERC-Synergy grant RELEVANCE jointly awarded to prof. de Gelder (Maastricht), Giese (Tübingen), Vogels (KU Leuven)

The project RELEVANCE aims to understand how the brain evolved special structures to process highly relevant social stimuli like bodies and to reveal how social vision sustains adaptive behavior. The project will develop a mechanistic and computational understanding of the visual processing of bodies and interactions through integrating advanced methods from multiple disciplines: psychophysics, Ecog and high-field functional imaging in combination with computer animation, virtual reality and neural stimulation in humans; single unit electrophysiology with  causal techniques in monkeys, and development of biologically-Informed deep neural network models that unify the data. 

For Maastricht University (http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/):

The student will be integrated in the research that takes place at the Department for Cognitive Neuroscience and the Maastricht Brain Imaging Center at Maastricht University, which has access to a new MR-lab with 3 Tesla, 7 Tesla and 9.4 Tesla human MRI systems (www.scannexus.nl). 

The primary responsibilities of the PhD student will be:

• to actively participate in the experimental design, analysis (and acquisition) of 7 Tesla functional MRI data;
• collaborate to the other parts of the research program and
• writing and publishing of articles.

Preferred starting date: September 2020.

Candidates should have a (research) master degree in one of the following disciplines:

• (Cognitive) Neuroscience
• (Biomedical) Engineering
• Computer Science or Mathematics.

In addition to these requirements, candidates should preferably have a:

• Theoretical interest in the area of visual perception and experience with scientific programming (Matlab, Python or any other language).
• Research experience (during the master thesis or research internships) in one or more of the following topics/techniques will be strongly valued: functional MRI acquisition/analysis, machine learning, multivariate pattern recognition. 

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

• 38 hours per week;
• Remuneration will be according to standard salary levels for PhD candidates starting with a salary of € 2.395,- with a yearly growth to € 3.061,- gross a month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours/week). An 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance is also provided;
• We offer a 4 year full-time appointment as PhD candidate. The first year will be a probation period, after a positive assessment the position will be extended for another 3 years, which happens in the vast majority of cases;
• We offer an attractive package of fringe benefits such as, reduction on collective health insurance, substantial leave arrangements, selection model for designing a personalised benefits package, use of UM Sport facilities against reduced rate, and application for attractive fiscal arrangements for employees from abroad;
• We offer a rewarding career at a young university in the heart of Europe, with a distinct global perspective and a strong focus on innovative research and education;
• We provide a stimulating, collaborative and interdisciplinary work environment with excellent opportunities for professional and personal development;
• Maastricht University has an excellent international reputation, and Maastricht itself is a beautiful, open-minded city located in the center of Western Europe.
• The appointment will be at the The Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (M-BIC)

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

Maastricht University

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 18,000 students and 4,400 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience

Department of Cognitive Neuroscience

Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands; Brain and Emotion group, Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC).

Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre
The Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (M-BIC) is a research center founded by the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience of Maastricht University. It offers research facilities that were newly established within the Brains Unlimited project, including high (3 Tesla) and ultra-high (7 and 9.4 Tesla) magnetic fields MR scanners. The research core of M-BIC is formed by the Cognitive Neuroscience field, one of the four departments through which the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience conducts its research