PhD Candidate: Cognitive Computational Neuroscience of Memory and Prediction

Welcome to Maastricht University!
Are you fascinated by how the brain remembers and predicts information, and how it can tell apart representations of past and future? At Maastricht University, you will investigate how two basic cognitive processes – memory and prediction - can be disentangled by combining neural testing with computational modelling. Together with colleagues in the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience at Maastricht University, you will conduct innovative research at the crossroads of psychology, neuroscience, and computational science. The project is funded by the European Research Council’s Consolidator Grant awarded to Dr. Ryszard Auksztulewicz.

PhD Candidate: Cognitive Computational Neuroscience of Memory and Prediction

• Our goal: Advancing cognitive neuroscience by uncovering how memory and prediction processes can be disentangled.
• Your colleagues: You will join the Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology at the Faculty of
  Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN), supervised by Dr. Ryszard Auksztulewicz, Prof. Federico De Martino, and Prof. Sonja Kotz. You will also be part of the MBIC Graduate School, which provides additional training and networking opportunities.

Predictive processing is increasingly recognized as a key computational principle of brain function. Yet empirical studies often conflate the effects of memory and prediction on neural processing. This raises new questions: how can we disentangle the effects of memory and prediction on processing the present?

As a PhD candidate, you will systematically study simultaneous and dissociable implementation of memory and prediction in behavior and brain responses, using functional neuroimaging (simultaneous 3T fMRI and EEG), laminar neuroimaging (7T fMRI), and functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS). You will design and optimize experimental tasks, collect and analyze neural data, and adapt computational models (e.g. decoding / connectivity) to fit the empirical data.

What you will be expected to do:

• Designing and optimizing experimental paradigms.
• Collecting and analyzing fMRI, EEG, and fMRS data.
• Fitting computational (e.g. decoding / connectivity) models.
• Collaborating with researchers at Maastricht University and beyond.
• Disseminating results through publications and conferences.
• Contributing to teaching activities (0,1 FTE).

Are you ready to set the course for the coming years? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring:

• Strong academic background – You hold a Research Master’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, or a closely related field.
• Research experience – Experience with fMRI and/or EEG is essential; fMRS experience is an advantage. Your previous research experience should fit thematically into the topic of the project (memory and/or prediction processes).
• Curious and ambitious – You are motivated to pursue excellent scientific research and eager to grow as an independent researcher.
• Analytical and creative – You bring substantial knowledge of statistical methods (e.g. multivariate decoding / representational similarity analysis), strong analytical skills, and creativity.
• Programming skills – You are proficient in Python and/or Matlab.
• Modeling expertise – Experience with computational modeling of neural data (e.g. connectivity analyses) is an advantage.
• Excellent communication – You are fluent in English, both written and spoken, and enjoy working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

What we offer
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 12-month contract with a scope of 1,0 FTE with the prospect of a 3-year extension, based on a positive evaluation and mutual satisfaction.
• A salary graded in scale P (UFO profile Promovendus) ranging from €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month (full-time, 38 hours).
• 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (full-time), four additional public holidays, and the possibility to accrue 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours and the option to work partly from home (dependent on job requirements), including commuting and internet allowances.
• A wide range of training programmes and development opportunities, including UM initiatives such as Acknowledge & Appreciate.
• Excellent secondary employment conditions, including a strong pension scheme (ABP), company fitness, and access to extensive UM sports facilities.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities, supplemented by local UM provisions.

About the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience
The Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN) is an international faculty with students and staff from various cultural backgrounds, who are connected by their shared curiosity about human behaviour and our brains.

This curiosity inspires us to explore the wide field of psychology from different perspectives (such as a biological and cognitive viewpoint). By using small-scale and student-centred methods, such as problem-based learning and project-based learning, we encourage a similar kind of curiosity in our students, as we provide them with the tools to discover the world of the human brain.

Department
The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr. Ryszard Auksztulewicz, Prof. Dr. Federico De Martino, and Prof. Dr. Sonja Kotz, and will be employed at the Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology at Maastricht University. The department offers an international, productive, collaborative, and interactive environment.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Ryszard Auksztulewicz at ryszard.auksztulewicz@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD candidate? Apply now, no later than January 25 for this position.

Please upload your CV, motivation letter, grade list, and contact information of 2 referees.

The first interviews preferably take place on February 9 . The second interviews will preferably be held on February 23 .

A reference check will be part of the application procedure.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,000 students and 5,000 employees across five regional locations, six faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities — for yourself and the world around you. Because real answers are found together.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.