Postdoctoral fellow - Department of Experimental Psychology

Last application date Nov 30, 2025 23:59

Department PP02 - Department of Experimental Psychology

Degree Doctoral degree

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

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.

YOUR TASKS

You will join the ERC Consolidator Grant project “InterCom: An interdisciplinary community neuroscience approach to characterize multigenerational interactions” (PI: Prof. Suzanne Dikker). The project investigates how neurophysiological and behavioral alignment supports naturalistic communication between children, adults, and older adults—both within and beyond family contexts. Combining laboratory experiments with real-world community-based data collection in museum and community settings in Europe (The Netherlands) and the United States, InterCom pioneers a “community neuroscience” approach to understanding social communication across generations.

Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading multimodal neurophysiology data collection in real-world environments (e.g., community storytelling events, public spaces, and art/science installations).
- Applying mobile brain-body imaging (MoBI) and hyperscanning methods (EEG, physiology, motion tracking) to study neural and behavioral synchrony.
- Collaborating with an interdisciplinary team and international partners on cross-cultural and lifespan-diverse data collection, including fieldwork in the United States, The Netherlands, Belgium, and beyond.
- Contributing to the development of open-source tools for multimodal data integration and real-time feedback.
- Supervising junior researchers and assisting with data management, dissemination, and outreach activities.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

- 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.
- Expertise in multimodal neurophysiology data collection and signal processing using multiple technologies and techniques.
- Experience with research in real-world or naturalistic settings involving populations across the lifespan.
- Experience in art–science collaborations or creative neuroscience engagement.
- Ability and interest in conducting community-based fieldwork.
- Ability to communicate in English, Dutch and/or Spanish.
- Strong programming skills.
- Strong statistical skills.
- Excellent scientific communication and teamwork skills.

- The grant can only be awarded within the framework of international scientific mobility. This is the case if:
(a) 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
(b) the researcher is funded by the Marie- Sklodovska-Curie Action (MSCA) and thus meets the associated mobility conditions.
(c) Only for postdoctoral researchers in international mobility

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

- We offer a full time position as a postdoctoral fellow, with a minimum period of one year, which can be extended twice taking into account the maximum period of 36 months.
- In deviation from 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 February 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. For more information about our salary scales: https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent/welcoming-new-staff/salaryscales
- 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. For a complete overview of all the staff benefits

INTERESTED?

Send your cv, a copy of your diploma (if already in your possession) and a motivation letter to [emailprotected]
We do not accept late applications.