项目介绍

2026年5月9日

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.

1. Introduction

Are you passionate about affective neuroscience and ultrasound deep brain modulation? Come and join our PhD project on approach-avoidance decisions under threat, funded by the ERC Advanced Grant HEART2ADAPT, and work with a dynamic team.

2. Job description

Why do some people remain calm and make flexible decisions under stress, while others freeze or flee? HEART2ADAPT aims to answer this question. We are developing a new model to understand how heart – brain interactions shape decision making under threat and support adaptation in dynamic environments.

Using state-of-the-art methods to track brain and bodily signals, we will investigate how stress influences decision-making in healthy participants and in patients with anxiety disorders. A key component of this PhD project is testing causal mechanisms using ultrasonic neuromodulation, a novel technique to non-invasively reach deep brain targets that we will combine with behavioral and fMRI measurements.

Funded by a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant, HEART2ADAPT offers you the opportunity to contribute to protocol development, data collection and computational modelling of behavioural and neural data. You will apply ultrasound stimulation to key nodes of our model, including the amygdala, ventral striatum and dorsal ACC.

You will work closely with colleagues at the Donders Institute (including the Verhagen lab) and the Behavioural Science Institute, as well as with international collaborators. Responsibilities may also include mentoring of BSc and MSc students.

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate. 

3. Profile

• You have a Master’s degree in cognitive neuroscience or an adjacent field (psychology, biology, biomedical sciences, computer sciences, or other relevant MSc).
• You have a strong interest in fundamental research in cognitive and affective neurosciences.
• You have experience with applying functional MRI (acquisition and analyses), including the use of Matlab, Python, SPM, FSL and/or other software tools, or you have experience with MEG (acquisition and analyses).
• You have experience in non-invasive neuromodulation (preferably Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation) or you are willing to master this technique.
• You have experience in the acquisition and analysis of peripheral psychophysiological data (e.g. autonomic nervous system measures).
• You have the capacity to participate in an interdisciplinary and translational research environment.
• You have interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate and communicate in academia.
• You have a proactive and goal-directed attitude and good organisational skills.
• You are fluent in written and spoken English. 

Even if you do not meet all criteria, you are encouraged to apply if the role interests you.

4. We are

Your position will be embedded in the Affective Neuroscience group led by Prof. Karin Roelofs at the Faculty of Social Sciences. You will be appointed by the Faculty’s Behavioural Science Institute (BSI). BSI participates in the Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (DCCN) where you will be based.

Both BSI and DCCN are known for their successful graduate schools and strong dedication to open science and team science. Together, they create a warm, inclusive and cooperative research environment in which staff are well-supported in a work culture that promotes collaboration and respect. 

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).     
• You will receive a starting salary of €3,059 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,881 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• 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. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Karin Roelofs. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on Wednesday 17 June. Any second interview will take place on Monday 29 June. You will preferably start your employment 1 September 2026.

We can imagine you’re curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. 

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.