项目介绍

2026年5月10日

Are you interested in adaptive cognition and behavior in stressful environments? The Department of Evolutionary and Population Biology (EPB) at IBED is looking for a skilled, responsible, and organized PhD researcher to develop mathematical models of adaptive cognition and behavior in stressful environments. These models will inform experimental research on human cognition.

About the position

We invite applications for a PhD position in the field of cognition in stressful environments. This position is part of a research project named “Cognition in stressful environments: An integrative approach” (CONTENTMATTERS), funded by an NWO Vici grant. 

The PhD position will be embedded in the Developmental Evolutionary Ecological Psychology (DEEP) lab (PI: Willem Frankenhuis) at the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands). You will collaborate with postdoctoral researchers working on the NWO Vici project. You will develop mathematical models of adaptive cognition and behavior in stressful environments, as described next.

Our world is experiencing very rapid social, ecological, and technological changes that affect every person’s ability to set long-term goals, make plans, monitor progress, and adjust to varying demands and priorities. Such cognitive abilities, which support goal-directed thought and action, are referred to as ‘executive functions’. Although the scientific literature is rife with claims about which levels of executive functioning are biologically adaptive in particular environmental conditions (i.e. increase survival and reproduction), this question has not been mathematically modeled. The current PhD project involves mathematically modeling three executive functions that are central to education, employment, relationships, and health: attention shifting, working memory updating, and inhibition. The PhD will develop novel (theoretical) mathematical models to understand the adaptive benefits and costs of these abilities, depending on environmental stressors: threat, deprivation, and unpredictability. These models will inform experimental research on human cognition.

The primary tasks of this PhD will be (1) to develop novel (theoretical, not statistical) mathematical models of adaptive cognition and behavior in stressful environments; (2) to ensure these models can inform theoretical predictions for empirical testing in humans; and (3) to be a kind, constructive, and reliable participant in departmental and DEEP lab meetings. The PhD will have opportunities to be involved in daily supervision of BSc and MSc students working on the CONTENTMATTERS project. 

What are you going to do?

Tasks and responsibilities:

• You will develop novel mathematical models of adaptive cognition and behavior;
• You will ensure these models inform theoretical predictions for empirical testing in humans;
• You will explain your mathematical models in an accessible manner to a broad audience by creating science communication resources for non-modelers, including the general public;
• You will be a kind, constructive, and reliable member of the department and the DEEP lab.

Your profile

Your experience and profile:

The ideal candidate will have:

• A MSc in biology, psychology, cognitive science, or an adjacent field (e.g. computer sciences);
• A strong academic track record (e.g. a high-quality MSc thesis, good grades for relevant courses);
• Experience in mathematical modeling of adaptive cognition or behavior (e.g. optimality theory);
• Advanced computational or programming skills (Matlab, Python, C++, R, or other languages);
• A commitment to transparent research practices (e.g. sharing code, scripts, and/or data);
• The ability to participate in an interdisciplinary and international research environment;
• The interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate in team work;
• A proactive and goal-directed work approach and excellent organizational skills;
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Candidates who only partially meet this profile are nonetheless strongly encouraged to apply.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended to the total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. For this position the University Job Classification profile “Promovendus” (PhD candidate) applies. Your salary will be €3,059 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3,881 in the final year, based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week. In addition, you will receive a 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance. 

A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with registration at UvA- Housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad. 

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.