Science & Research Jobs in Ghent, Belgium (Now Hiring) — 68 open

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 80 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

Our research at BogaertsLab focuses on the cognitive science of learning and language. This position is part of the FWO-funded project “Growing a Statistical Mind: The Interplay Between Emerging and Existing Linguistic Knowledge” (STATMIND). STATMIND aims to investigate the dynamic interplay between previously acquired linguistic knowledge (including semantic properties of language structures) and the incidental learning of new patterns. To this end, we employ a range of methods, with a focus on behavioral experiments and electroencephalography (EEG).

What are your tasks?

• At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.
  • Synthesizing existing literature
  • Designing learning experiments
  • Collecting data from adults and children
  • Performing data analyses
  • Writing scientific articles
  • Presenting at national and international conferences
• As part of an interdisciplinary and international research team, you are expected to actively contribute to project meetings and activities. 
• Contributing to the supervision of Master’s and PhD students.
• Providing support for (limited) teaching activities.

The Department of Experimental Psychology (Ghent University) will be your home base, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Louisa Bogaerts. Our team will closely collaborate with the lab of Prof. Dr. Luca Rinaldi (University of Pavia).

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a talented postdoctoral researcher with a strong interest in psycholinguistics and human learning.

Requirements:

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate in psychology, psycholinguistics, cognitive (neuro)science, or a related discipline (obtained max. 6 years ago. This term of 6 years is determined by the date written on the above-mentioned required diploma).
• You have a strong research profile, including publications in peer‑reviewed journals.
• You have experience setting up quantitative research and can readily program experiments.
• You have strong statistical skills and can work with scripts, for example in R or Python/Matlab.
• You have a command of English at an academic level, both spoken and written.
• You are able to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team. You are proactive.

Preferred (but not required):

• Experience with or an affinity for research on statistical learning or other forms of language learning.
• Experience with EEG research and/or analyses.
• Experience conducting research with children.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration with a maximum term of 2 years.
• Your contract will start on 1/11/2026 (November 1st) at the earliest.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• 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, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
• If the conditions for an appointment as a postdoctoral scholarship holder are met, a full-time scholarship agreement may be offered.

INTERESTED?

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV (pdf file)
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter (maximally 2 pages, pdf file)
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
• In the field “other documents”: contact information of two referents (specify name, function and e-mail)

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

If you are selected for the interview stage, interviews will take place online, preferably on 22/09/2026.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Louisa Bogaerts ([email protected]). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via [email protected].