"Postdoctoral Researcher on Computational Modelling of Emotional Memory Binding"

What are you going to do

• Conduct a comprehensive review and synthesis of literature on the cognitive neuroscience of (emotional) episodic memory processing (event separation and memory integration);
• Develop a formal model for (emotional) memory binding over time which can inform predictions for the empirical studies in the wider project;
• Together with a PhD-student, set-up and run a neuroimaging study involving multiple sessions spanning several weeks;
• Analyse BOLD-MRI data using representational similarity analysis or similar techniques;
• Disseminate findings through empirical papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present results at (inter)national conferences and/or for collaborators;
• Contribute to teaching (0.15-0.2 FTE) in the Clinical psychology program, including research project supervision and teaching of research skills.

What do you have to offer

For this position, it is essential that you:

• Have a PhD in computational cognitive neuroscience or closely related field. The degree must be obtained/approved before November 2025;
• Are proficient in spoken and written English;
• Have a record (appropriate to career stage) of international peer-reviewed publications that demonstrates experience with modelling neurocognitive processes;
• Are committed to open science practices (e.g., preregistration, data sharing).

In addition, you satisfy some (nobody fits all of the criteria) of the requirements listed below:

• Hands-on experience with neuroimaging research, preferably functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, including experimental design, data acquisition, preprocessing, and analysis;
• A solid background in cognitive modelling. Familiarity with hybrid modelling frameworks is a plus;
• Experience or affinity with experimental psychopathology research and affective neuroscience;
• Excellent programming skills, preferably R or Python;
• Ability to stay focused and organised, even when juggling multiple tasks;
• Ability to work in a team, as well as independently, and being open to feedback;
• Experience or affinity with teaching.

What do we offer you 

We offer a temporary position of 38 hours a week for a term of 2.5-3.5 years, depending on teaching load (to be negotiated) and salary scale. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended. The preferred starting date is October or November 2025.

You will be supervised by a supportive, engaged, and enthusiastic team that values initiative and input. You will have regular meetings with the principal investigator and occasional meetings with collaborators, depending on the stage of the project. In addition, the University of Amsterdam offers excellent possibilities for professional development and education, in an inspiring and international working environment located in the heart of Amsterdam. There is a designated budget for organizing and attending national and international symposia and conferences.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will work

You will be based at the Department of Psychology at the University of Amsterdam, in the Clinical Psychology program group, and you will be a member of the Amsterdam Emotional Memory lab. The lab addresses fundamental questions about memory malleability, investigates mechanisms of change in the treatment of mental disorders, and contributes to treatment innovation. You will be supervised by Dr Renée Visser (PI) and collaborate with other group members, as well as people in the wider department (Psychological Methods, Brain and Cognition).

About the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the field of social and behavioural sciences in Europe. Here, we explore societal and human-centered issues, driven by scientific curiosity but also with an eye for current themes. For example, the impact of media and communication on individuals and society, healthcare challenges, global urbanization, human development, the role of political institutions, understanding the human mind, growing inequality, diversity issues, and changing social relationships.

In Europe and beyond, the FMG holds a leading position, thanks in part to its more than 1,300 staff members who contribute to education and research. Will you be one of them?

Read more about the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Important to know

Your application & contact

If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role, we look forward to receiving your application by August 20^th, 2025. Applications in .pdf should include:

• a curriculum vitae (max. 4 pages, no photo). Please include a list of education and academic qualifications, earlier positions, research and teaching experience, a list of (most relevant) journal publications, preprints and conference presentations, and links to other research output such as code repositories and datasets;
• a letter, describing your motivation and some provisional ideas about the direction you would like to go in the research, and how your skills match our requirements (max 2 pages).
• The names and contact details of at least two referees (preferably including your PhD supervisor), including email addresses and phone numbers. No letter of recommendation at this stage.

Please combine all documents into a single PDF file and name it using the following format: LastName_FirstName_Vidi_PostDoc.pdf

Please note that applicants from outside the European Union must meet the requirements of the Employment of Foreign Nationals Act.

Interviews will likely take place August 29^th, with the PhD position preferably starting October or November 2025 (with room for negotiation). If you have questions regarding this position, please contact Dr Renée Visser, r.m.visser@uva.nl.