Postdoc position in detecting cognitive strategies in EEG data
Solliciteer nuPostdoc position in detecting cognitive strategies in EEG data
The ultimate objective of this project is to detect cognitive strategies in single-trial EEG data. In very broad terms, we will use the HMP method (https://github.com/GWeindel/hmp) to discover cognitive operations in existing data, label these operations, and then train transformer models to predict sequences of operations in unseen data. Please see Weindel, Borst, & van Maanen, eLife, 2025, Weindel, van Maanen, & Borst, Imaging Neuroscience, 2024, and Den Otter, Weindel, Stuit, Van Maanen, Plos Computational Biology, 2026 for more information about these methods. The goal of the project is to be able to track differences in strategy use between novices and experts on a task and map their learning trajectory.
Postdoc position in detecting cognitive strategies in EEG data
Solliciteer nu
What are you going to do?
You will be responsible for coordinating and carrying out this project, in collaboration with the two PIs (Jelmer Borst and Leendert van Maanen). We envision that you will: (1) develop a standard HMP analysis protocol and use that to analyze and label existing data, (2) develop EEG-to-sequence classification that allows for the decoding of the continuous EEG signal into a sequence of cognitive event labels, and (3) apply this to data of expertise development. The intended duration of the project is 2 years, although the initial contract will be for 1 year, with a potential 1-year extension.
Who are you?
The ideal candidate has the following qualifications:
– interest in human cognition
– experience with neural data, especially EEG or MEG
– experience with machine learning models for classification or decoding of neural data
– programming skills, especially Python
What can you expect from us?
- In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 4.251 (schaal 10.4) up to a maximum of € 4.599 (schaal 10.5) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
- 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
- The University of Groningen offers, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities; a full-time position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE) a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance.
Where will you be working?
At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.
The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) provides teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines, from physics and biology to artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and pharmacy. In close collaboration with partners from industry, healthcare, and society, we contribute to the urgent challenges of our time, such as energy, sustainability, digitization, and medical technology. Our community is open and informal, with more than 7,000 students, 1,000 PhD students, and 1,400 staff members from all over the world. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Science and Engineering, visit rug.nl/fse.
This position is part of a long-term collaboration between Prof. dr. Jelmer Borst at the University of Groningen and Dr. Leendert van Maanen at Utrecht University. You will be officially appointed at the University of Groningen, where you will work in the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computing Science and Artificial Intelligence. You will be based in the research group of Jelmer Borst, which is focused on computational cognitive neuroscience. Secondly, you will work with the group of Leendert van Maanen at Utrecht University, who investigates how people use different cognitive strategies to perform cognitive tasks. Both groups consist of several PhD students, partly working on connected topics.
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Application procedure
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.
The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.
We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.
We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.
After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!
Interested?
Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.
Please add the following documents to your application:
- letter of motivation
- CV
- proof of interest in human cognition and experience of machine learning applied to neural data, e.g., via a statement and/or recent publication(s) that connect(s) to the project
- name of 3 referees and your relation to them
Do you have any questions or need more information?
-
Questions about the content of the job?
Jelmer Borst
Associate Professor
J.P.Borst@rug.nl -
Questions about your application process?
Jelmer Borst
Associate Professor
J.P.Borst@rug.nl
Information about applying
When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.
The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy.
Acquisition is not appreciated.
Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP Application Code.
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