Postdoc | Stressed eyewitnesses: good or bad for memory? | 1.0 FTE

Eyewitness memory researchers report memory-impairing effects of encoding stress. Fundamental memory researchers report the opposite: encoding stress enhances memory. Bridging these two fields is one important scientific aim of this project.

In this current project, you will take the lead in a meta-analysis on the effects of stress on eyewitness memory and possible moderators. In addition, you will develop a new stress protocol that combines standardized stressors and naturalistic eyewitness paradigms. Drawing from the meta-analysis and using the newly developed stressor protocol, you will test eyewitnesses’ recall and recognition performance as a function of stress in multiple laboratory experiments. This will show us how stress during a crime affects eyewitness reports of an event and recognition of perpetrators.

Throughout this project, the (inter)national research team will promote theory-guided research in the eyewitness field. You will design several studies, collect and analyze data, publish the findings in high-quality journals, and disseminate the findings on (inter)national conferences. In your work, you will adhere to the principles of open science. Next to conducting research, you will teach in the psychology Bachelor and Master programs at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

This postdoc position provides a unique opportunity for exploring diverse theoretical and methodological approaches within the eyewitness, memory, and stress fields. Given its interdisciplinary nature, the project presents unique prospects to refine and expand your advanced research skills. Moreover, alongside the primary project, you will have the chance to actively participate in ongoing (inter)national projects and take the lead in initiating new studies. You will receive support in your career development and in the preparation of potential grant proposals.

• You have a PhD degree in legal psychology or cognitive psychology or related disciplines (e.g., neuropsychology, clinical neuroscience);
• Proven affinity with research in the field of eyewitness memory and/or stress and memory;
• You are able to initiate, develop, and carry out high quality research;
• Experience with advanced data analysis are considered an advantage;
• Experience with meta-analysis is not required but considered an advantage. In case of no experience, you should be willing to quickly acquire proficiency in this;
• You have experience with the principles of open science and preregistration;
• You have a strong proactive, collaborative, and creative working approach;
• You have excellent communication (oral and written) skills in English;
• Preferably you hold a Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO), or are willing to acquire this qualification in the near future;
• You have a promising publication track record and documented or ambitions to attract own funding.

The position (1.0 FTE) is temporary for the duration of 3.5 years.

Salary is dependent on education and experience and will be in accordance with scale 10 CLA NU (min. €2,960 and max. €4,670). An 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance is also provided.

In addition to good primary employment conditions, UM also offers an attractive package of secondary employment conditions.

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 www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

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 22,000 students and about 5,000 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. 
For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl.