Last application date Jan 01, 2026 00:00
Department PP02 - Department of Experimental Psychology
Contract Limited duration
Degree PhD
Occupancy rate 100%
Vacancy type Research staff
Job description
ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.
With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.
For the Learning and Cognitive Control Laboratory at the Department of Experimental Psychology we are looking for a
Postdoctoral fellow
YOUR JOB
The Learning and Cognitive Control Laboratory at Ghent University (Belgium) is recruiting a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to apply a control-theoretic approach to investigate the neurocognitive mechanisms of cognitive effort. The position is funded by a European Research Council Advanced Grant, “Mapping the Controllosphere” ( https://www.ugent.be/en/news-events/six-erc-advanced-grants.htm ) . The position is for 3 years with an opportunity to renew and is available to start January 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Job profile
The successful candidate will train recurrent neural networks to learn the generative structure of existing behavioral, EEG and MEG data sets (dynamical system reconstruction), and apply linear control theory to investigate the energy demands of the resulting network architecture. This project will support our goal of testing the Controllosphere Theory of cognitive effort (see doi 10.1037/rev0000467). A Ph.D. and background in computational modeling, engineering or a related discipline is required; expertise with linear control theory and dynamical systems theory are preferred but not necessary.
- You hold a doctoral degree or a diploma or certificate recognized as equivalent by law or in application of the guidelines of the European Union or a bilateral agreement.
- In exceptional circumstances and based on detailed scientific justification, researchers who do not hold such a degree may also be considered, provided they have demonstrated exceptional scientific merit.
- Exceptional scientific merit is defined as having excelled in scientific research and publications at a level at least equivalent to a doctoral degree.
- The grant can only be awarded within the framework of international scientific mobility. This is the case if:
- the researcher has resided abroad for at least 24 months out of the 3 years prior to the start date of the postdoctoral fellowship and has not worked or studied in Belgium during that period. However, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed during 24 months, such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare for the period as a postdoctoral researcher
- the researcher is funded by the Marie- Sklodovska-Curie Action (MSCA) and thus meets the associated mobility conditions.
- Only for postdoctoral researchers in international mobility
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer a full time position as a postdoctoral fellow for 36 months.
- In deviation the above, an EEA national, who has previously received a postdoctoral grant in the 12 months prior to an MSCA grant, can exceed the maximum term of 36 months under this MSCA grant provided that the entire term does not exceed 48 months.
- Your contract will start on January 1, 2026 at the earliest.
- The grant amount is equal to the net salary of a doctoral assistant (AAP 5) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral assistant. The supervisor may deviate from this and assign a higher level based on acquired experience, professional career and demonstrated competences. The grant amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation. Click here for more information about our salary scales
- All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
How to apply
Interested candidates should email their CV, a statement of research interests, and have three letters of reference forwarded to Clay Holroyd at [email protected]. Inquiries may be directed to him at this email address.
