Postdoc Position for The Neurocognition of Pictures and Visual Narratives

**Tilburg University | Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences**

is looking for

**Postdoc position for the neurocognition of pictures and visual narratives**

Department of Communication and Cognition and Visual Language Lab

Location: Tilburg

Contract size: 0,8 - 1,0 fte (32 - 40 hours per week)

Full-time gross monthly salary: €3,546 - €5,538

Contract duration: 12 + 36 months

Desired starting date: 1 February 2026

**Your position**

The PICTREE Project aims to study how the brain processes pictures and sequences of pictures, like in comics. These PhD positions will study how sequences of images combine images together into hierarchic relationships, which allow for storytelling like comics to have complex sequential relationships. This work will require students to blend linguistic theories and psychological research on visual narrative sequencing and sentence structure, particularly syntax. Postdocs will design and carry out cognitive neuroscience (EEG/ERP) experiments examining these issues and will be encouraged to additionally contribute to theory-building. They will also participate in weekly lab meetings and seminars, and will assist in teaching courses and advising thesis projects related to their research.

**Your profile**
- PhD degree in psychology, linguistics, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive science, and/or a related field.
- Motivated to carry out cutting-edge research
- An accessible attitude, can function well in a team, and can establish and maintain interpersonal relations, with excellent communication skills in English.
- Ability to take initiative, be organized, be flexible, and work independently
- An interest in comics, drawing, language, linguistics (particularly syntax/grammar and semantics), and (neuro)cognition.
- Previous experience running experiments with language, pictures, and/or comics examining behavioral cognitive processing and/or event-related potentials (EEG/ERP) is a plus.

**Our offer**

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

- A position based on 0,8 - 1,0 fte (40 hours per week).
- Salary between €3,546 and €5,538 gross per month for full-time employment (UFO-profile Researcher 4, salary scale 10). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
- This is a vacancy for a temporary position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 5 CLA DU. You will be given a temporary contract for the duration of 12 months with a possible extension of 36 months.
- Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
- Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
- The opportunity to work partly on campus and partly from home with a home office allowance of €2 per day.
- Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.
- A monthly internet allowance of €25.
- An options model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle or personal training at our Sports Center.
- Employees from abroad may be eligible for a tax-free allowance for extraterritorial expenses equal to 30% of taxable salary.
- A pension with ABP; the largest Dutch pension fund.
- Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research. Or a language course at our Language Center.
- A work culture in which we embrace differences, everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities.
- A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities.
- A complete CV, including listing of publications and theses (created drawings/comics also welcomed).
- Cover letter (maximum one page) explaining your interest in this project.
- Contact details of two references.
- Copy of one publication, thesis, or essay as a writing sample, preferably of a related topic.

Letter selection is scheduled on 30 October; you will receive notification from us shortly thereafter. The selection interviews will take place in the first weeks of November.

The selection committee consists of:

- Neil Cohn, Associate Professor
- Tessa van Leeuwen, Associate Professor
- Joost Schilperoord, Assistant Professor (retired)

You will ideally start working for Tilburg University on 1 February 2026.

**About Tilburg University**

Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainably, and inclusion. For current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge for the requirements of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.

We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we exceedingly focus on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy tr