Researcher - Brain & Cognition Team

Introduction

The Brain and Cognition Team is at the forefront of cutting-edge research exploring the neural and cognitive processes underlying human behavior. Our interdisciplinary team conducts both lab-based and online research, utilizing advanced methodologies such as eye tracking, EEG, text mining, and artificial intelligence (AI). We are committed to advancing our understanding of the brain and its role in cognitive function through innovative, data-driven approaches.

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled researcher to support our team in a wide range of research activities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in psychology, with a passion for research methods and emerging technologies. You will assist with various aspects of experimental design, data collection, and analysis, helping to push the boundaries of cognitive neuroscience and behavioral research.

Job description

- Assist in the design, implementation, and analysis of lab-based experiments, including eye-tracking and EEG studies;

- Contribute to internet-based research using platforms for online experiments and data collection;

- Work with advanced research tools for text mining and AI applications in cognitive and behavioral research;

- Support data preprocessing and analysis, including programming tasks (e.g., using Python, R, or MATLAB);

- Collaborate with team members in preparing research presentations, reports, and publications;

- Help maintain research equipment and manage data integrity and confidentiality.

Job requirements

- Master’s degree in Psychology or a related field;

- Strong interest in research methods and a curiosity about cognitive neuroscience;

- Familiarity with lab-based research tools such as eye tracking or EEG is a plus;

- Experience or interest in AI, text mining, and internet-based research is highly desirable;

- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;

- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a research environment.

Experience in any of the following areas would be a plus:

- basic programming skills (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB, EPRIME);

- internet-based research or lab-based research with eye tracking or EEG;

- AI, text mining.

Employment conditions and benefits

We offer you an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

The start date of this position is 6 January 2025 and you will be based at Campus Woudestein - Rotterdam, in Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB). This position is for 1.0 fte. The salary is € 3.345 to a maximum of € 3.502 gross per month, scale 10 on a fulltime basis (38 hours), in accordance with the CAO-NU. The contract is offered for a period of 1 year.

Everything else we offer you, you can find below!

-        Everything you need for a good work-life balance: the option to work from home in consultation with your manager, 41 days of paid leave with a 40 hour contract, 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a significant discount on a subscription for our on-campus sports centre!

-        Sustainable, inclusive and diverse work environment with an open culture, where you can be yourself and we pay attention to each other and to the world around us. Make the most of our bicycle budget, or join networks such as Young@EUR, FAME or QuEUR.

-        Time and space for your development in the broadest sense: development days and a personal career budget and free access to our university library.

-        Good pension with ABP that EUR contributes 2/3rds towards, discounts on various collective insurances with Zilveren Kruis Achmea, Loyalis, and Allianz, and compensation for travel, working from home and home internet use.

-        Are you currently combining your job with parenthood, or do you want to do so in the future? EUR offers partially paid parental leave and fully paid additional birth leave for partners, and our campus features a daycare (daycare not paid for by EUR).

-        Moving to the Netherlands for your job with EUR? Then you may be eligible for the 30%-ruling if you meet the requirements of the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax agency), and with our Dual Career Programme we will also help your partner find the right job for them.

Employer

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 4.100 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Faculty / Institute / Central service

The Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences is home to a vast diversity of scientific disciplines: public administration, pedagogical sciences, psychology and sociology. In addition, the Erasmus University College, IHS, and two research institutes RISBO and DRIFT are linked to the faculty. This also reflects in the content of the (international) bachelor's and master's programs and in research.  Our activities are always focused on people and society. At the ESSB fundamental, internationally oriented research is of paramount importance. In addition, social research for professionals, policy makers, and the society is part of our research activities. ESSB offers a stimulating research environment where major national and international research grants are received. Appealing guest researchers and ambitious PhD candidates come along to conduct their research. Our education is small-scale and works with innovative forms of education. Both the Dutch and English programs are highly ranked by students and alumni. ESSB is home to over 4000 students and more than 400 staff-members. The different disciplines are supported by the Faculty Office (for more information, please visit www.eur.nl/essb).

Group

Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies (DPECS)

Our department consists of 6 teams covering the disciplines of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Pedagogical Sciences; three closely related disciplines with each their own profile. The different psychological specialization areas of DPECS focus on understanding cognitive, physical, and social functioning and well-being in the context of mental health, education, and work. The educational sciences focus on issues regarding effectiveness and inclusion in primary, secondary and tertiary education. The pedagogical sciences focus on issues related to everyday as well as problematic development and upbringing within families, at school and in youth care. The disciplinary perspectives of DPECS complement each other and share the mission to generate societal impact with high-quality scientifical research on timely societal issues, and with the use of innovative methods and techniques and open science. The bachelor and master programs of DPECS build on this mission and educate students to become scientifically trained professionals for the society of the future.

More information about the research at DPECS can be found here: https://www.eur.nl/en/essb/information/researchers/lab-society

More information about the education programs offered at DPECS can be found here: https://www.eur.nl/en/essb/education

Our department also has access to an excellent laboratory for research and education purposes. The Erasmus Behavioural Lab offers state-of-the art facilities, including video observation, EEG, eye-tracking, virtual reality, experience sampling, and biofeedback: https://www.eur.nl/en/essb/information/researchers/erasmus-behavioural-lab

Department

The mission of our team Brain & Cognition is to explore and investigate fundamental questions about brain and cognition conform the principles of open and responsible science. Our strengths lie in both fundamental and applied research, covering topics of memory, language, and perception as well as artificial intelligence, large language models and their effects on human cognition. Our team offers future-proof, engaging courses about the brain and cognition within the bachelor program Psychology and the master specialization Brain & Cognition, which also address relevant societal issues, such as conspiracy thinking, stereotypes, and spatial navigation, aligning with our university's strategy for tangible societal impact.

Additional information

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a dynamic and supportive research environment where you’ll contribute to meaningful advancements in the field of brain and cognition research. You’ll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology and methodologies, and have the chance to collaborate with experts in psychology, neuroscience, and AI.

You can find more information about the EUR on our website www.eur.nl.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Katinka Dijkstra via dijkstra@essb.eur.nl.

Applying

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and contact information for two references to before the vacancy closing date.
In your cover letter, please describe your interest in the position and how your background aligns with the role.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Persons of all gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, ages, neurodiversities, functional impairments, citizenships, or any other aspect are welcome to apply and join the EUR community.