PhD Candidate: cognitive computational neuroscience of individual differences

Welcome to Maastricht University!
Are you fascinated by how the brain predicts and adapts to the world around us? At Maastricht University, you will investigate how individuals differ in predictive processing by combining behavioural and neural testing with computational modelling. Together with colleagues in Maastricht and Radboud University, you will conduct innovative research at the crossroads of psychology, neuroscience, and computational science.

PhD Candidate: Cognitive Computational Neuroscience of Individual Differences

• Our goal: Advancing cognitive neuroscience by uncovering how individual differences shape predictive processing.
• Your colleagues: You will join the Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN), supervised by Dr. Ryszard Auksztulewicz and Prof. Sonja Kotz, in close collaboration with Prof. Andre Marquand at Radboud University. 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 show distinct neural signatures across individuals and tasks. This raises new questions: is predictive processing a unified framework with graded variability, or are there multiple distinct strategies and mechanisms?

As a PhD candidate, you will systematically study inter-individual variability in behavior and brain responses, using both online and lab-based paradigms, including EEG. You will design and optimize experimental tasks, collect and analyze behavioral and neural data, and adapt computational models to capture variability between individuals.

What you will be expected to do

• Designing and optimizing experimental paradigms.
• Deploying behavioral tasks on online platforms (e.g. Pavlovia).
• Collecting and analyzing behavioral and EEG data.
• Developing, validating and fitting computational models.
• Collaborating with researchers at Maastricht University, Radboud 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 (or will soon complete) a Research Master’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, or a closely related field.
• 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 (e.g. Bayesian) methods, strong analytical skills, and creativity.
• Programming skills – You are proficient in Python and/or Matlab.
• Research experience – Experience with psychophysics, online behavioral testing, EEG, or neuroimaging is desirable.
• Modeling expertise – Experience with computational modeling of behavioral and/or neural data 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
As PhD Candidate: cognitive computational neuroscience of individual differences at Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3059,00 and €3881,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1.0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extenstion of 3 years will follow.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

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. Sonja Kotz, and Prof. Dr. Andre Marquand, 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: cognitive computational neuroscience of individual differences? Apply now, no later than September 15th, for this position.

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

The first interviews preferably take place on September 29. The second interviews will preferably be held on October 13.

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.

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.