The Cognition Intention and Action (CoInAct) Research Group at the Department of Psychology Faculty of Social Sciences University of Copenhagen (UCPH) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in cognitive neuroscience modelling to be filled by 1 January 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is for 2 years.
Information about CoInAct can be found at https://psychology.ku.dk/coinact/
Our group and research
You will be part of the interdisciplinary research group Cognition Intention and Action (CoInAct) at the Department of Psychology. The overall purpose of the CoInAct group is to understand the interplay between movement actions and cognition. We study basic action neuroscience and higher order cognitive functions in humans. CoInAct brings together researchers from different disciplines including philosophy psychology and human neuroscience with a common interest in understanding human cognition and action. In general we aim to improve understanding of the psychological philosophical and neural foundations of human cognition action and movement and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists and students interested in these research areas.
Job content
The postdoc will be part of a project entitled Causal Modelling in Cognitive Motor Control funded by the Carlsberg Foundation and headed by Associate Professor Mark Schram Christensen. Applicants are asked to situate and develop their research plan within the framework of the Causal Modelling in Cognitive Motor Control project. For more information about the project please contact Associate Professor Mark Schram Christensen markc@psy.ku.dk.
The larger project develops and tests the idea that hierarchical goal formation can be modelled using active inference models and be constrained by biomechanics of individual bodies. The post doc project will mainly focus on the modelling aspect of the overall idea and it will be performed in parallel with an ongoing PhD project focusing on implementation of a series of cognitive neuroscience experiments in healthy human participants.
The postdoc should be a researcher with a strong background in cognitive modelling computational neuroscience or similar and with knowledge within experimental psychology. During the employment the post doc candidate is expected to engage in the development of experimental procedures that will test the modelling approach to the overall idea in parallel together with a PhD student and the PI.
The successful candidate will be working in close collaboration with cognitive psychologists and philosophers and other cognitive scientists and should be interested in the development of new experimental paradigms modelling and theory development. The postdoc is expected to conduct independent research on the question of hierachical goal formation. It is expected that the successful candidate will be present part of the team and partake in the activities at CoInAct on a daily basis. The postdoc will be physically located at the Cognition and Neuropsychology research cluster CoInAct University of Copenhagen (ku.dk) at the Department of Psychology University of Copenhagen.
Qualification requirements
The candidate must have obtained a Phd degree in cognitive neuroscience cognitive modelling computational neuroscience cognitive psychology or related fields.
Emphasis will be placed on the following:
- Research qualifications which will be assessed in relation to the period of active research the degree of originality and academic output.
Experience in one or more of the following:
- Advanced statistical analyzes of behavioural data;
- Computational models of cognition or neuroscience data obtained from human participants;
- Designing and conducting psychological experiments;
- The applicants scientific record (publications in top journals within experimental and cognitive psychology) academic breadth and depth rigor thoroughness and accuracy as well as academic relevance in relation to the job description;
- Participation in networks national and international;
- Previous experience with interdisciplinary collaboration and research;
- Good interpersonal skills;
- Excellent skills in English written and spoken.
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Associate Professor Mark Schram Christensen markc@psy.ku.dk for more information about the Causal Modelling in Cognitive Motor Control project.
Strategy of the Faculty of the Social Sciences
The Department of Psychology is part of the Faculty of the Social Sciences. The Faculty is a successful academic community that strives to put knowledge into action by:
Engaging partners in the co-creation of knowledge learning and social change.
Empowering our students to become reflective and responsible citizens who have the vision the knowledge and the competences to change society for the better.
Energising global European and Danish communities of knowledge by innovating research methodologies and by research findings with impact
For more on the Faculty strategy see:Strategy for the Faculty of Social Science University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Terms of Employment
Further information on qualification requirements as postdoc can be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities 2019 here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/dokumenter/Ministerial_Order_no._1443_of_11_December_2019_on_Job_Structure_for_Academic_Staff_at_Universities.pdf
Terms of appointment and salary is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
The salary range starts at DKK 36200 (EUR 4861) per month + a 17.1 % contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.
The recruitment process
Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: https:/employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
An Equal Opportunity Workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background gender sexual orientation age disability ethnicity etc. For more on the diverse working place environment at the University and the Universitys participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Research see https://employment.ku.dk/working-at-ucph/eu-charter-for-researchers/
International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: https:/ism.ku.dk/
Contact information
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR e-mail: hrsc@hrsc.ku.dk please refer to ID number: 211-1477/23-2I.
Additional information about the position can be obtained from Associate Professor Mark Schram Christensen e-mail: markc@psy.ku.dk.
How to apply
Submit a complete application at our online portal. Click on the Apply now icon at the bottom of the page to apply. The documents must be in Adobe PDF or Word.
The application must be written in English and include the following documents:
- Application letter/cover letter;
- Curriculum vitae (with applicants e-mail address & telephone number);
- Documentation of qualifications (Master and PhD diploma etc.);
- Complete and numbered list of publications. The enclosed publications must be marked with *;
- Research plan (max 5 pages) including a short description of previous research and a plan for the coming years;
- Publications. Applicants may choose a maximum of three publications for assessment of which at least two must have been published within the five years immediately preceding the deadline for applications. Publication dates must be clearly marked on the publication list. The publications selected must be uploaded as attachments and listed from 1 to 3;
- Should any material submitted consist of work with named co-authors or work that is otherwise the result of collective academic endeavours the extent of the applicants contribution to the work must be clearly stipulated. The faculty may ask for a signed statement from the co-authors stipulating the extent and nature of each individuals contribution.
Only material in English will be assessed. If you do not find an upload category for your enclosure please upload under Other relevant material.
The closing date for applications is 31 August 2023 23:59 CEST
Applications or enclosures received thereafter will not be considered.
