A Postdoc (1.0 fte) position for three years is available at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The position is funded by an ERC advanced grant "What to expect when you are not expecting it: How implicit regularities drive attentional selection" (LEARNATTEND). The postdoc will work closely with Jan Theeuwes and the other members of his ERC group (see https://www.theeuweslab.com/).

The Research Project
The proposed research program investigates the mechanisms underlying visual statistical learning (VSL), focusing on how, when and what information is extracted by the visual system and how this affects attentional selection processes. We seek to understand under what circumstances learning takes place, and how this affects attentional representations within putative priority maps across the visual hierarchy. The approach will use behavioral techniques of measuring the attentional selection, as well as eye tracking and EEG decoding techniques. In collaboration with the Spinoza Center Amsterdam, there is the opportunity to conduct fMRI experiments.

• a PhD in the field of cognition (cognitive psychology, experimental psychology,cognitive neuroscience, artificial intelligence or closely related discipline
• Extensive research training and experience in cognitive experimenting and modeling
• A background in attention, and/or statistical learning research is desirable
• Experience with specifically EEG, eye tracking, fMRI or other advanced techniques is desirable
• Excellent programming and data analysis skills
• Demonstrated to be able to publish quality scientific papers
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Be able to start spring 2022

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €2,836 (scale 10)
and a maximum €5,922 (scale 12), depending on your education and experience. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1 FTE.

The appointment will be for 3 years.
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• discounts on collective insurances, healthcare- and car insurance

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor - from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 26,000 students. We employ over 4,600 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
The Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences focuses on the broad domain of behaviour and health. Our teaching and research programmes are devoted to current developments in society, from healthy aging to e-health, from juvenile crime to dealing with depression, from training for top athletes to social media as a teaching tool. We are unique in that we combine three academic disciplines: psychology, movement sciences and education.

Working at Behavioural and Movement Sciences means working in an ambitious organization that is characterized by an informal atmosphere and short lines of communication. Our faculty offers tremendous scope for personal development. We employ more than 600 staff members, and we are home to around 3,400 students.