PhD candidate in Cognitive Neuroscience

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – Department of Psychology

Perception is more than meet’s the eye; how we see the world is critically shaped by attention (what is relevant) and as a growing body of work indicates, by past experience (what is likely). Overturning the classical notion of perception as a largely bottom-up process, the idea that our brain is a prediction machine, continually trying to predict what is ‘out there’ based on past experience, is quickly growing in stature and influence. The goal of this PhD project is to further our understanding of how predictions shape perceptual experience, independently and/or in interaction with attention, through the use of multiple methods, including EEG, fMRI and deep brain stimulation.

The project is part of a larger research program lead by Dr. Heleen Slagter and funded by the European Research Council.

Job description

The PhD project will be conducted within the Department of Psychology at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, which is ranked 11^th in the QS World University Rankings. PI Slagter’s laboratory is well embedded into the Brain and Cognition Research Priority Area of the University and has access to state-of-the-art research facilities TOP andSpinozacentre.

The PhD candidate will develop and execute experimental studies in the context of the research project, and report results at conferences and in international journals, leading to a PhD dissertation. The PhD candidate may also provide teaching assistance (15%).

Requirements

We are looking for highly motivated candidates preferably with a 2-year research master diploma in Cognitive Neuroscience or a closely related field, and with demonstrable interest in the topic of the PhD project. Experience with human brain imaging techniques (EEG and/or fMRI) and strong technical skills (programming) are a must. Applicants should also possess strong writing skills and have an excellent command of English. Applicants should be able to spend several months at Vanderbilt University, the United States, as part of the project.

Further information

For more information about the larger research program lead by Dr. Heleen Slagter:

• Dr. Heleen Slagter

Requests for further information:

• Dr. Heleen Slagter

Appointment

The appointment for the PhD candidate is for four years (initial employment is 12 months and after a positive evaluation, the appointment will be extended further with 36 months) and should lead to a dissertation. The preferred start date is June 1^st 2016, although applicants who can only start later are also encouraged to apply. Based on an appointmt of 38 hours per week the gross monthly salary will be €2,173 in the first year, increasing to €2,778 in the fourth year (conform the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Job application

For full consideration, applications should be send by email to bc-secretariaat-fmg@uva.nl before the 22^nd of February 2016, and include a curriculum vitae, a letter of motivation, a grade list, the expected date of availability and the names of 2 references. Please put 'PhD position 1 application' in the subject line.

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.uva.nl/en/about-the-uva/working-at-the-uva/vacancies/item/16-031-phd-candidate-in-cognitive-neuroscience.html