Research Assistant at the Donders Centre for Cognition: Computational Modelling and Scientific Software

Radboud International; Nijmegen; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

1-year contract

Holiday allowance 8%

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

Extra annual leave (30 or 41 days)

Job summary

Radboud University is seeking a Research Assistant to work on Bayesian modelling in JAX and contribute to bamojax, an open-source Python toolbox for Bayesian modelling and model comparison. You will collaborate with the Uncertainty in Complex Systems lab to compare models and develop efficient search procedures for model variants.

The role focuses on robust statistical analyses and advancing scientific software, with weekly PI meetings and opportunities to contribute to state-of-the-art

Qualifications

• MSc degree in computer science, data science, AI, applied mathematics or related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience with Python and implementing statistical or ML algorithms.
• Experience with software development practices such as testing and version control with Git.
• Strong mathematical background in probability, statistics, calculus and linear algebra.
• Good communication skills.
• Passion for improving the scientific process.
• Prior experience with Bayesian statistics and/or JAX is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Implement advanced methods for Bayesian model comparison in JAX.
• Construct an efficient search procedure for variants of a given model.

Skills

Python

Statistical algorithms

ML algorithms

Communication skills

Mathematical background

Bayesian statistics

JAX experience

Testing and version control (Git)

Education

MSc in computer science, data science, AI, applied mathematics or related discipline

Tools

Git

JAX

Job description

Research Assistant at the Donders Centre for Cognition: Computational Modelling and Scientific Software

Are you interested in advanced computational modelling and state-of-the-art scientific software? Join us in creating the Bayesian multiverse: a computational framework for robust statistical analyses, applicable across empirical research domains. The position offers the opportunity to work on the combination of state-of-the-art scientific computing and Bayesian statistics, and to contribute to an open-source scientific software library.

You will be part of a larger project at the Uncertainty in Complex Systems lab (PI: Dr Max Hinne) aimed at learning which statistical and/or computational model is most suited for a provided data set and scientific question. In practice, statistical models contain many arbitrary choices that may (a) have a detrimental effect on what we can learn from it and (b) greatly reduces the reproducibility of scientific research, as different researchers make different decisions. A Bayesian multiverse is a systematic way of reducing these adverse effects and aims to make statistical analyses more robust.

We are looking for a research assistant to contribute to the development of bamojax (Bayesian modelling in JAX), our open-source Python toolbox for Bayesian modelling and model comparison. Throughout your employment, you will have the opportunity to work with others within our group to see what modelling choices they make, and how our new Bayesian multiverse tools can help with this. There will be weekly meetings with the PI to discuss the project's progress and next steps, as well as bi-weekly lab meetings.

You will have two core tasks. The first is to implement advanced methods for Bayesian model comparison in JAX. These techniques will then be used to systematically explore alternative models for user-defined statistical problems. The second task is to construct an efficient search procedure for variants of a given model.

At Radboud University, I have the opportunity to concentrate on important topics like diversity and inclusion. Inti Brazil Associate Professor of Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology

Does this sound like you?

• You have an MSc degree in computer science, data science, AI, applied mathematics, or a related discipline.
• You have demonstrable experience with programming in Python and implementing statistical or machine learning algorithms.
• You have experience with software development practices such as testing and version control with Git.
• You have a solid mathematical background in, for example, probability, statistics, calculus and linear algebra.
• You have good communication skills.
• You have a passion for improving the scientific process.
• Prior experience with Bayesian statistics and/or JAX is a plus.

What we offer you

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 1 year.
• Your salary within salary scale 7 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Where you will be working

The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is a world-class interfaculty research centre that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Research at the Donders Institute is focused around four themes:

• Language and communication.
• Perception, action and decision-making.
• Development and lifelong plasticity.
• Natural computing and neurotechnology.

Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Donders Institute has been assessed by an international evaluation committee as ‘excellent’ and recognised as a ‘very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for young talent’. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary and supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute.

Faculty of Social Sciences
At the Faculty of Social Sciences , humanity and society are our focus; we study how people behave, think and feel. Within this context, we look at themes such as human behaviour and the human psyche, education and upbringing, communication, society and culture. The faculty provides education to 6,000 students and employs 700 staff. Education is organised into six programme clusters: Psychology; Artificial Intelligence; Pedagogical Sciences and Educational Sciences; Communication Science; Sociology; and Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology, and the Radboud Centre Social Sciences as an institute for post-master education have been merged into the Social Sciences Education Institute. Our research is carried out within three research institutes: the Donders Centre for Cognition, the Behavioural Science Institute, and Radboud Social Cultural Research.
Radboud University
At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.
If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

Is this the job for you?

The first interviews will take place on Monday 2 November. Any second interview will take place on Thursday 19 November.Prior to the second-round interview, candidates will receive an assignment, which they will be asked to present during the interview.

You will preferably start your employment on 1 January 2027.