Postdoctoral Researcher in Machine Learning for Precision Neuropsychiatry

Tilburg University | Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Center of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join an interdisciplinary, NWO-funded project in collaboration with University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Altrecht GGZ, and Avans Hogeschool.
The project aims to explore how normative modeling and EEG-based brain monitoring can support early detection and personalized treatment strategies in psychiatry. This research combines recent advances in machine learning and cognitive neuroscience to contribute to future clinical tools for diagnosing and monitoring neuropsychiatric disorders.

Your position
The postdoc will play a key role in the research team, contributing to both the technical development and human-centered aspects of the project, including data collection from healthy individuals and clinical populations. The key responsibilities include:

• Coordinate and conduct EEG data collection from both healthy participants and psychiatric patients
• Supervise and collaborate with students and clinical partners
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of analytical methods for processing and modeling EEG data
• Take the lead in writing scientific publications and presenting at conferences
• Help manage collaborative workflows with external academic and clinical partners
• Contribute to the development and release of open-source research software

The candidate should:

• Hold a PhD in neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, computer science, psychology, biomedical engineering, or a related field.
• Have experience with EEG data acquisition, preferably including clinical populations
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to work across disciplines.
• Be able to manage participant recruitment and coordinating experimental procedures
• Have a strong academic publication record
• Have programming experience in Python (e.g., MNE, scikit-learn, etc.); experience with EEG toolboxes is a plus
• have a good command of English (spoken and written)
• Dutch language proficiency is a plus due to interaction with patient populations and clinical staff

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment: 

• Employment of 0.8-1.0 fte (32-40 hours per week).
• Salary between €3,546  and €4,728 gross per month for full-time employment (UFO-profile Researcher 4, salary scale 10). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
• This is a vacancy for a temporary position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 5 CLA DU. You will be given a temporary contract for the duration of 12 months.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
• Hybrid working with home working allowance (€2 p/day) and internet allowance (€25 p/month).
• Reimbursement sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.
• Options model for additional leave, pension, a bicycle or personal training.
• Moving allowance (subject to conditions).
• 30% rule for international employees (if applicable).
• Pension through ABP.
• Ample training offer: personal development, leadership, education, research or language courses.
• Inclusive work culture: everyone welcome, equal opportunities.
• A green, inviting campus that’s easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, please see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities. 

Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainably, and inclusion. For current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge for the requirements of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.

We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we exceedingly focus on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy transition, and digitalization.

About Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence center

The Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence center at Tilburg University is part of the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences. The center emphasizes innovative cutting-edge research in those areas of cognitive science that bring together psychological and computational theories and methodologies. The group is responsible for the Bachelor and the Master program Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence, is co-responsible for the university-wide data science Master program Data Science & Society and is affiliated with the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (http://www.jads.nl). Researchers in the Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence track have access to computer clusters, experimental lab facilities, and the virtual and mixed reality DAF Technology Lab and its sensing technologies (https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/campus/experiencing-virtual-reality/ ). Moreover, researchers play an important role in Mind Labs (http://www.mind-labs.eu ), an initiative that fosters collaborations between knowledge institutions and corporations in the field of interactive technologies and behavior. Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences

You will be embedded in the Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence center at Tilburg University, known for its interdisciplinary research at the intersection of AI, neuroscience, and cognitive psychology. You will join the Machine Learning for Precision NeuroPsychiatry (ML4PNP) lab, which focuses on responsible, translational machine learning techniques for brain and mental health applications.

Want to know more? 

Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Dr. Seyed Mostafa Kia, s.m.kia@tilburguniversity.edu.