PhD candidate in Neuro-AI

Join our cutting-edge research team and help decode how the brain makes sense of everyday sounds by developing AI-driven neurocomputational models for real-world auditory scenes!

Job Description
As a PhD candidate in our research team, you will develop neurocomputational models that integrate deep neural networks with neuroscientific mechanisms and data to understand how the brain processes natural auditory scenes. You will design and implement AI models for auditory scene analysis, working with large-scale sound datasets, as well as with neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG, iEEG) and behavioral data.

This PhD position is part of the Natural Auditory Scenes in Humans and Machines (NASCE) project, funded by the ERC Synergy Grant, and hosted at Maastricht University in collaboration with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in Marseille. You will work at the Maastricht Center for Systems Biology (MaCSBIO) and join the Auditory Cognition in Human and Machines (ARCHIE), a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including experts in neuroscience, AI, and cognitive psychology of audition. Prof. Elia Formisano, principle investigator in the NASCE project, will supervise your work. The position offers access to cutting-edge facilities, including computational infrastructure and ultrahigh-field MRI, with strong support for academic growth and collaboration.

Your work will involve:

• Developing, training and testing AI models to simulate brain activity during real-world listening tasks.
• Collaborate with cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists to refine computational frameworks based on experimental findings. 
• Contribute to the development of a theoretical framework for natural auditory scene analysis.  
• Disseminating research findings through scientific publications and conferences. 
• Support knowledge transfer by engaging with interdisciplinary teams and potential commercial or societal partners.
• Teaching in computational neuroscience or computer science education at Maastricht University (max. 0.1 fte).

Below, you will find a detailed overview of the qualifications and skills we are looking for in an ideal candidate.

Requirements
We are looking for a highly motivated student with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. You should have excellent communication abilities, both written and verbal (English), and be able to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team and present research findings clearly. You should be adaptable and capable of integrating insights from neuroscience, AI, and cognitive psychology. 

The ideal candidate will have:

• A master degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computational Neuroscience, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, or related disciplines;
• Strong programming skills in Python (programming in MATLAB, R is a plus);
• Experience with deep learning and machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch);
• Familiarity with computational modeling of neural processes;
• Background knowledge in neuroscience, cognitive science, or a related field;
• Ability to work with large-scale datasets and computational tools;
• Previous research experience in audio processing, speech processing, or related topics is a plus;
• Willingness to start immediately.

What we offer
As a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Science & Engineering, 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 according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary from €2901,00 in the first year and €3707,00 gross per month in the fourth year (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 extension 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 'Recognition and Reward'. 

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 Science and Engineering  
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.  FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.  The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!  

Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology
At the Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology (MaCSBio) we strive to perform cutting edge research in the interdisciplinary fields of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics. We aim to understand, simulate and manipulate biological systems using advanced mathematical and computational methods that can be data-driven, or biology-based. MaCSBio has been growing steadily since its foundation in 2015 and current research themes include Systems BioMedicine, Computational Neuroscience, and Systems Biology of Plants. We are closely involved in several Bachelor programs and host the 2-year Master in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics. 
Click here https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/macsbio for more information about MaCSBio.
 

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses  
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.  
 

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Elia Formisano at e.formisano@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. Do you have any questions regarding the procedure, please contact Bas Knoet (HR-advisor) at bas.knoet@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD candidate? Apply now, no later than 30 March 2025, for this position.
 

Please upload your CV, motivation letter, grade list, contact information of 2 referees. 

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.