KU Leuven is offering two fully funded, full-time PhD positions within an ambitious FWO project at the intersection of neonatology, developmental psychology, and neuroscience.
The project is led by Prof. Gunnar Naulaers (NICU, UZ/KU Leuven) and Prof. Bart Boets (Center for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven), in close collaboration with a strong interdisciplinary team across Neonatology (An Eerdekens, Bieke Bollen, Anne Debeer, Katrien Jansen, Anneleen Dereymaeker) and Obstetrics (Kristel Van Calsteren).
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Project
Early in life, infants develop both self-regulation and social connectedness, processes that rely on parent–infant synchrony and co-regulation. In very preterm infants admitted to the NICU, these processes are often disrupted. This project investigates how early non-separation and immediate kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact) may support development. We hypothesize that early contact enhances biobehavioural synchrony, enabling parents to scaffold infant self-regulation. Using a randomized controlled trial and longitudinal follow-up (NICU, 6 and 14 months), we combine behavioural, physiological (EEG, ECG), and hormonal (oxytocin, cortisol) measures to better understand developmental mechanisms and inform future NICU practices.
Profile
We offer two complementary PhD trajectories
PhD 1 – NICU / medical focus
- You will work on the implementation of non-separation and immediate kangaroo care, and conduct data collection in the NICU setting.
- Background: Master’s degree in Medicine, Obstetrics, Midwifery, or related
- Flexibility and experience is required to support preterm deliveries.
PhD 2 – Developmental / analytical focus
- You will lead the follow-up measurements at 6 and 14 months and contribute strongly to data analysis and modelling.
- Background: Psychology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, or related, with a passion for infant research.
- Experience with, or a strong motivation to learn, psychophysiological methods, programming (R, Python, Matlab) and advanced statistics is valued.
What you will do
You will engage in hands-on, interdisciplinary research, including:
- Parent–infant dual measurements (“hyperscanning”) of EEG, ECG, hormones and behaviour during kangaroo care at NICU, and during play interactions at 6 and 14 months
- Longitudinal follow-up of very preterm infants and full-term controls
- Analysis of self-regulation, co-regulation, and synchrony dynamics
- Publishing in international journals and presenting at conferences
Profile
We are looking for motivated candidates who:
- Have a strong interest in infant development, mental health and physiology
- Enjoy combining clinical data collection and analysis
- Work well both independently and in a team
- Have strong English academic writing skills
- Have sufficient Dutch proficiency for interaction with families
Offer
We offer a fulltime PhD position for an initial year, renewable for up to 4 years. Salary is competitive and in accordance with university standards. Starting date is September 2026 or flexibly afterwards.
Center for Developmental Psychiatry KU Leuven
Neonatologie UZ Leuven
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Bart Boets, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Gunnar Naulaers, mail: [email protected].
For more information, contact Bart Boets (+32 16 37 35 62,
[email protected]) or Gunnar Naulaers (+32 16 34 32 13,
[email protected]), or any of the abovementioned collaborators.
Applications should be submitted before July 1st via email at
[email protected] and through the electronic application system of KU Leuven, providing a motivation letter, full CV (including detailed university study results), and contact information of at least two referents. Job interviews are planned on July 6 or 7, and results will be communicated shortly afterwards.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
