Postdoc position in Contemplative Science

Unist; Groningen; Hybrid; EUR 36,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

The Bernoulli Institute at the University of Groningen invites applications for a 1-year postdoc (0.8 FTE) in contemplative science. The position sits in the cognitive modeling group and is funded by the Consciousness Foundation grant.

You will study analytical meditation in Tibetan monastics in India, develop an experimental protocol, collect EEG data, and publish results. Travel to India is required.

Qualifications

• PhD in cognitive neuroscience or psychology required.
• Experience with EEG analysis preferred.
• Some knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism or Tibetan culture advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop an experimental protocol grounded in Tibetan monastics' epistemology.
• Collect EEG data during meditational states.
• Analyze EEG data with state-of-the-art methods and publish results.
• Travel to India for EEG research at least once.
• Coordinate with staff, students and Consciousness Foundation projects.

Skills

EEG analysis

Tibetan culture knowledge

Education

PhD in cognitive neuroscience or psychology

Job description

Psychological sciences » Cognitive science

Organisation/Company University of Groningen Research Field Neurosciences » Neurophysiology Neurosciences » Neuropsychology Psychological sciences » Cognitive science Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 29 Sep 2026 - 22:00 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 30.4 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

A 1-year postdoc position (0.8 fte) in contemplative science is available at the Bernoulli Institute of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The position is situated in the cognitive modeling group and is funded by Marieke van Vugt's Consciousness Foundation grant "Can reasoning dissolve the boundaries between self and others?". In this project, we seek to investigate the neural correlates of the dissolution of boundaries between self and others.

What are you going to do?

The successful candidate is expected to conduct research on the effects of analytical meditation in Tibetan monastics in India. In the first part of the project, you will help to develop an experimental protocol that is grounded in the epistemological framework of the Tibetan monastics we are collaborating with. Next, you will collect the actual EEG data during the meditative states, and finally, you will analyze these data using state-of-the-art EEG analysis methods and write them up for publication.

During the project, you will be required to travel to India for conducting EEG research at least once. You are also expected to interact scientifically with other research staff and students, as well as to participate in seminars. Moreover, you will be required to interact with colleagues from other Consciousness Foundation-funded projects and coordinate research methods with these projects.

Knowledge of the Dutch language is not required.

You should have a PhD degree in cognitive neuroscience or psychology with knowledge of:

• EEG analysis
• Ideally also some experience with Tibetan Buddhism or Tibetan culture

Additional Information

What can you expect from us?

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

Selection process

Interested?

Information about applying

When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible. The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy .

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP application code

Acquisition is not appreciated.

Additional comments

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Marieke van Vugt (Associate Professor): [e-mail]