We are looking for an enthusiastic, driven and highly motivated PhD student to perform scientific research on learning efficacy in a digital 3D learning environment, with a focus on cognitive load.
You will be embedded in a multidisciplinary research group mostly focused on innovation of education. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is currently working on renewing its Bachelor's and Master's education. Digitization and active learning play an important role in this, as does the development of competence-oriented education, tailored to the individual quality and needs of our students.

We are looking for a PhD candidate with a strong affinity with cognitive neurosciences and education, preferably with experience in EEG technology and analysis. You are a creative and independent thinker who can deepen a research question, an excellent communicator (both orally and in writing) and a team player. As you will join an international team, fluency in English is required. In addition, a strong background in statistics will be an advantage. Your findings will be published in peer reviewed journals and you will attend national and international conferences.

We offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to an ambitious and national and international education programme with highly motivated students and to conduct your own research project at a renowned research university. You will receive appropriate training, personal supervision and guidance for your research development, which will provide an excellent start to an academic career.

You will be offered a temporary position (1.0 FTE), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period. The gross salary ranges between €2,395 in the first year and €3,061 in the fourth year of employment (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where Veterinarians are trained, but is is also where Researchers are working together on innovative scientific research. In addition, the faculty provides specialist clinical care in the largest academic veterinary hospital in Europe. Thanks to this position, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a point of contact for all veterinary matters, both nationally and increasingly internationally. The faculty employs approximately 900 Veterinarians, Scientists and support staff and counts 1,500 students.

Digital 3-dimensional (3D) environments are increasingly used for learning in higher education. Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR) and eXtended Reality (XR) are examples of these environments. They offer the opportunity to better align competence development and learning by allowing to study complex 3D relationships in a full 3D context. In addition, they offer excellent opportunities for active, collaborative and experimental learning. However, new learning technologies often involve new cognitive mechanisms that can influence learning efficacy.

At the Utrecht University Veterinary Faculty, in close collaboration with the Leiden University Medical Center, we are investigating the use of new learning technologies in our curricula. Previous research in the context of learning 3D Anatomy with AR technology (Microsoft HoloLens) revealed that the students’ cognitive profiles affect their learning efficacy in a 3D digital learning environment. The project aims to identify the role of cognitive load in that process. Methods will be developed to monitor various aspects of cognitive loads in real time during the 3D learning process. Currently we focus on biometric measurements like pupil diameter/eye tracking and mobile electric encephalography (EEG).