PhD Candidate: Computational Cognitive Neuroscience – Multisensory Perceptual Inference, Learning and Attention

We conduct weekly interim selections; therefore, we advise you to apply in a timely manner. The vacancy will close on August 1st or earlier if we find a suitable candidate before then.

Are you fascinated by how the brain makes sense of the senses in a complex dynamic multisensory world? How it flexibly adapts to changes in its environment? Join our multidisciplinary team to study the computations and neural mechanisms of how the brain addresses some of the most fundamental challenges: perceptual decision making, inference, learning, attention and probabilistic/statistical computation.

Your research will combine computational modelling (Bayesian, neural network), psychophysics, and/or neuroimaging (fMRI, including ultra-high-field (7T) fMRI, MEG/EEG) to explore these processes.

As a PhD candidate, you will also have the opportunity to develop valuable skills by mentoring students, participating in international conferences, and collaborating with leading researchers in the field. We offer access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a 7T fMRI scanner, and a supportive environment for your academic and professional development. Your teaching load may be up to 5% of your working time.

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1,5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,770 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,539 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

The PhD position is based in the Multisensory Perception,Learning and Attention lab, headed by Prof. Uta Noppeney, at the Donders Centres for Cognitive Neuroimaging and Neuroscience. The lab aims to understand how the brain processes and interacts with the multisensory world. Research methods include computational modelling (Bayesian, neural network), psychophysics, and neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG, EEG, TMS).

The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is a world-class interfaculty research centre that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Cognitive Neuroimaging centre is equipped with four MRI scanners (7T, 3x 3T), a 275-channel MEG system, an EEG-TMS laboratory, several MR-compatible EEG systems, and high-performance computational facilities. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary and supportive research environment with diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute. The Donders Institute is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such encourages applications from women and minorities.