PhD position in reading research

PhD-tracks in cognitive neuroscience: Contribute to our understanding of the reading brain (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam).

How do readers recognize words from strings of letters? For most adults, this process may seem effortless and automatic. Yet, for the cognitive psychologist, human's ability to read remains somewhat mysterious. In this project, carried out by the Snell Language Lab (www.snelllab.eu) and funded by an ERC grant from the European Commission (runtime 2025-2030), we're developing and testing a new theory of the reading brain in various exciting ways. In particular, we'll look at how attention is distributed across the visual field during text reading, and at how word recognition is influenced by sentence-level representations that are (believed to be) maintained in working memory. In doing so, we hope to account for several interesting phenomena, such as how readers fail to notice the mistake in the phrase "Do love you me?". Lastly, we will investigate to what extent visuo-spatial attention operates differently in readers with dyslexia. The research project will rely on the use of behavioral measures (eye movements, response times, accuracy) and neurophysiological techniques (EEG).

Your duties

• gain knowledge of the field through literature research, discussion with team members, and internal research meetings
• contribute to our understanding of a multi-faceted cognitive skill
• plan, organize, and conduct data-collection, analyse and interpret results
• collaborate hands-on with participants and other researchers
• publish scientific articles
• present results at local, national and international scientific meetings
• supervise BSc and MSc theses

You are passionate about fundamental empirical research, with a particular interest in the brain mechanisms driving language processing. The ideal candidate should have:

• an Msc. in Cognitive neuroscience, Artificial Intelligence, or neighboring fields (degree obtained before January 1st, 2025)
• an affinity with quantitative research methods, experimental design and data analysis
• excellent analytical skills
• strong affinity with programming
• excellent writing skills and proficiency in the English language
• a creative, pragmatic and problem-solving attitude

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a starting salary of € 2.872,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.670,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• an employment contract of initially 1 year. Given a positive evaluation after the first year, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• good growth opportunities (e.g. post-doctoral positions after the PhD)
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use for free
• possibility to save holiday hours, e.g. for sabbatical leave, or exchange holiday hours for extra salary

About the team
The Snell Language Lab is led by Dr Joshua Snell (www.snelllab.eu) and is part of the Cognitive Psychology group at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The group is small but growing, and is outputting cutting-edge science on language processing in the brain. Other scientific staff members include Prof Jan Theeuwes, Prof Heleen Slagter, Prof Jan Theeuwes, Dr Mieke Donk, Dr Freek van Ede, Dr Sander Los, Dr Tomas Knapen, Dr Johannes Fahrenfort, and Dr Mattias Nau. The research group has expertise in psychophysics, eye tracking, EEG, and computational modelling, and has extensive corresponding lab facilities. The group values quality research, personal development, and social cohesion within an international atmosphere. We currently advise about 20 PhD students from all over the world. We have a bi-weekly journal club, a weekly colloquium, and drinks, as well as regular social events. The Lingua Franca is English.

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
Developing knowledge for an active, healthy and meaningful life: that is our mission at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at VU Amsterdam. We maintain a broad focus on the fields of behaviour and health. Our teaching and research programmes are devoted to current developments in society. From healthy aging to e-health, and from training top athletes to social media as a teaching tool. We combine three academic disciplines: psychology, movement sciences and education. A multidisciplinary approach allows us to arrive at a better understanding of human behaviour and movement. Our aims are to help people live healthier lives, learn better and function better.

Are you interested in joining Behavioural and Movement Sciences? You are the kind of person who feels at home working in an ambitious faculty, with an informal atmosphere and short lines of communication. We offer you all the space you need for personal development. Together with your 630 colleagues, you will take care of about 4,200 students.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

If you are excited about language processing in the brain, and you match the profile description provided above, then you are very welcome to apply for a PhD position at the Snell Language Lab.

Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process, but are only requested when you're invited to an interview.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.