postdoctoral researcher - part-time

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

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 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 Belgium with the possibility of fieldwork in the United States, The Netherlands, 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.
• At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate in neuroscience or psychology obtained max. 6 years ago. (This term of 6 years is determined by the date written on the above-mentioned required diploma.)
• Expertise in EEG data collection and signal processing using multiple techniques.
• Experience with research in real-world or naturalistic settings as well as laboratory settings.
• Experience in research involving children as well as adults.
• Ability and interest in conducting community-based fieldwork.
• Fluent in (spoken and written) Dutch and English.
• Strong statistical skills.
• Excellent scientific communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience in supervising and teaching junior researchers.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a contract of definite duration for 14 months for a 20% position.
• Your contract will start on December 1, 2026.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1-PD4. 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.

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 and a transcript of your academic record (merged into one pdf file)
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format.
• 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”: a sample publication or monograph.

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

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. Suzanne Dikker ([email protected])

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