PhD Researcher Computational Neuroscience of Face Perception in Forensic Contexts

Welcome to Maastricht University!

For the project “False Clarity” we are looking for a doctoral researcher with a passion for interdisciplinary research and affinity with computational brain modeling. Are you analytically strong, curious, and motivated to connect computational modeling with legal practice? We would love to meet you.

PhD Researcher Computational Neuroscience of Face Perception in Forensic Contexts

Our goal. We are looking for a PhD candidate who can bridge computational neuroscience and legal psychology. The goal of this project is to understand and model how image quality and AI enhancements affect face recognition. You will build computational models of how the brain processes faces and use them to investigate how poor image quality or AI-enhanced images affect the ability to identify a person generating both scientific insights and practical guidance for forensic settings.

Your colleagues. You will be based at the Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, with a strong collaborative tie to the Forensic Psychology Section at the Department of Clinical Psychological Science. This dual affiliation places you at a rare intersection of disciplines, embedded in an interdisciplinary and international team. You will be supervised by Dr. Mario Senden (Cognitive Neuroscience), Dr. Anna Sagana (Forensic Psychology) and Dr. Judith Peters (Cognitive Neuroscience), bringing together complementary expertise in computational neuroscience and legal psychology.

What you do

As a PhD candidate you are expected to:

• Develop biologically realistic computational models of face processing.
• Conduct behavioural experiments with human participants.
• Analyze intracranial EEG data and use it to validate computational models
• Integrate findings across computational and behavioural levels of analysis.
• Lead the effort to publish findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Translate research insights into accessible outputs for forensic practitioners, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Present findings at national and international scientific conferences.
• Bring a proactive, collaborative approach to working across disciplines and departments.

What you bring

• Academically well-grounded –MSc degree in (cognitive) computational neuroscience, or a related discipline. Additional background in or affinity with legal/forensic psychology is a plus.
• Strong in modelling and programming –Can translate theoretical ideas into working models with ease. Candidates with limited modelling experience but a strong drive to develop these skills rapidly are encouraged to apply.
• Experimentally minded –Experience with or a genuine interest in conducting behavioural experiments with human participants.
• Committed to open science – Committed to transparent, reproducible research and being familiar with practices such as pre-registration, open data, and open materials.
• Independent and proactive – Take ownership of your own research development.
• Fluent in English – Both in writing and in conversation and comfortable in an international academic environment.
• Collaborative and organised – Strong interpersonal skills and able to work across disciplines, and departments.

What we offer

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

• A 12-month contract (1,0 FTE) with the prospect of a permanent contract based on mutual satisfaction. OR A 12-month contract (1,0 FTE) with the prospect of a 3 year extension.
• A gross monthly salary between €3059,00 and €3881,00 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

About the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN)

At FPN, we share a curiosity about the human brain and behaviour. Together with our students, we explore how our brains function and learn why we do what we do. We connect perspectives and contribute to living together in society.

Interested?

Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Mario Senden via mario.senden@maastrichtuniversity.nl . The end date of the publication is 20 May 2026. The first interviews will take place on 1 June 2026.

Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University

At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

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

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

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