postdoctoral researcher - part-time

Ghent University; Oost-Vlaanderen; Remote; EUR 45,000 - 60,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Contract 14 months

Part-time 20% position

Staff benefits

Job summary

Ghent University seeks a highly qualified researcher to join the InterCom project. You will lead real-world neurophysiology data collection, apply hyperscanning methods, and collaborate with international partners on cross-cultural data collection, including fieldwork in Belgium and beyond.

The role emphasizes community-based research and open-source tool development. You will supervise junior researchers, manage data, and contribute to dissemination and outreach while dedicating most of your

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience or psychology completed within the last 6 years.
• Expertise in EEG data collection and signal processing.
• Experience in both real-world and laboratory research settings.
• Experience with child and adult populations.
• Ability and interest in community-based fieldwork.
• Fluency in Dutch and English (spoken and written).
• Strong statistics skills and scientific communication.
• Experience supervising junior researchers.

Responsibilities

• Lead multimodal neurophysiology data collection in real-world environments.
• Apply hyperscanning methods (EEG, physiology, motion tracking) to study synchrony.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and international partners.
• Contribute to development of open-source data integration tools.
• Supervise junior researchers and assist with data management and dissemination.
• Spend at least 70% of time on academic research.

Skills

EEG data collection

EEG signal processing

Fieldwork in real-world settings

Supervising junior researchers

Statistical analysis

Fluent Dutch and English

Scientific communication

Teamwork

Education

Doctoral degree in neuroscience or psychology

Job description

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 fora 20% position.
• Your contract will start on December 1, 2026.
• 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 .

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