Postdoc Position in Neuroscience (Radboud University)

Employment: 0.8 FTE Gross Monthly Salary: €4,728 – €6,433 Required Background: PhD Application Deadline: 24 March 2026 Project Description A driven postdoctoral researcher in neurocomputational models of adaptive learning is welcome to join our ERC-funded project. Together we investigate how people make approach–avoidance decisions under threat within a dynamic, interdisciplinary team. We seek a motivated postdoctoral researcher with expertise in neurocomputational models of adaptive learning. You will be funded by an ERC Advanced Grant entitled HEART2ADAPT: Autonomic balance for adaptive decision making. Together with a team of postdoctoral researchers and PhD candidates, we will investigate how people make approach–avoidance decisions under states of threat. Why do some people stay calm and make flexible decisions under pressure, while others freeze or flee? HEART2ADAPT aims to answer this by building a new model to understand how the body’s autonomic stress state shapes responses to danger, and how the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity guides adaptation in dynamic environments. Using cutting-edge tools to track brain and body activity in real time — including heart rate, posture, and advanced neuroimaging — we will explore how stress affects decision-making. Causal mechanisms will also be tested through pharmacological interventions and transcranial ultrasound stimulation. You will collaborate closely with colleagues at the Donders Institute and the Behavioural Science Institute as well as international partners. Responsibilities may also include management, mentoring (PhD, MSc, and BSc students), and teaching-related tasks. Candidate Profile You are a good fit if you: Hold a PhD in a relevant field (e.g., cognitive or affective neuroscience, computational psychiatry, human decision sciences) Have demonstrable interest and experience in probabilistic and/or other modelling approaches to decision making Possess expertise in neuroimaging techniques (preferably MEG and/or fMRI) Have an interest in psychophysiological threat states and autonomic changes in anxiety patients Demonstrate good social, communication, and organisational skills Are a team player Preferred Experience: Human psychophysiology Supervising students at various levels What We Offer Temporary employment contract of four years Salary within Scale 11, depending on prior education and relevant experience (38-hour working week). If your dissertation is not yet approved, you will initially be placed in salary scale 10.4. Once approved, you will move to scale 11 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus Extra days off: with full-time employment, choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20 Additional Employment Conditions: Flexible working hours, various leave arrangements, and working from home Option to exchange income for extra leave or receive sports reimbursement 34% discount on sports and cultural activities at Radboud University Pension plan and professional development opportunities Work Environment Affective Neuroscience Group – Led by Prof. Karin Roelofs, Faculty of Social Sciences Appointed by the Faculty’s Behavioural Science Institute (BSI) BSI participates in the Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (DCCN) BSI: Interdisciplinary research institute addressing societal issues Research facilities: observational studies, experiments, eye-tracking, EEG, GSR recording, psychobiology, behavioural measurements in real and 3D virtual environments DCCN: Conducts cutting-edge research in cognitive neuroscience Equipment: 4 MRI scanners (7T, 3x 3T), 275-channel MEG system, EEG-TMS/TUS lab, MR-compatible EEG systems, high-performance computing Hosts over 100 PhD candidates and postdocs from more than 25 countries Faculty of Social Sciences: Education and research on human behaviour, society, and culture Employs 700 staff and provides education to 6,000 students Research institutes: Donders Centre for Cognition, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud Social Cultural Research Radboud University: Committed to groundbreaking research, high-quality education, collaboration, and inclusivity Encourages staff from diverse backgrounds and perspectives Application Procedure Apply only via the application button Address your letter to Prof. Karin Roelofs Required documents: detailed in the application form Important Dates: First interviews: Thursday, 9 April 2026 Second interviews: Monday, 20 April 2026 Preferred start date: 1 June 2026 (some flexibility possible) Note: Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be appreciated. Contact Prof. K. Roelofs (Karin) Email: karin.roelofs [at] donders.ru.nl Phone: (024) 361 07 50 If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Employment: 0.8 FTE
Gross Monthly Salary: €4,728 – €6,433
Required Background: PhD
Application Deadline: 24 March 2026

Project Description

A driven postdoctoral researcher in neurocomputational models of adaptive learning is welcome to join our ERC-funded project. Together we investigate how people make approach–avoidance decisions under threat within a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.

We seek a motivated postdoctoral researcher with expertise in neurocomputational models of adaptive learning. You will be funded by an ERC Advanced Grant entitled HEART2ADAPT: Autonomic balance for adaptive decision making. Together with a team of postdoctoral researchers and PhD candidates, we will investigate how people make approach–avoidance decisions under states of threat.

Why do some people stay calm and make flexible decisions under pressure, while others freeze or flee? HEART2ADAPT aims to answer this by building a new model to understand how the body’s autonomic stress state shapes responses to danger, and how the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity guides adaptation in dynamic environments.

Using cutting-edge tools to track brain and body activity in real time — including heart rate, posture, and advanced neuroimaging — we will explore how stress affects decision-making. Causal mechanisms will also be tested through pharmacological interventions and transcranial ultrasound stimulation.

You will collaborate closely with colleagues at the Donders Institute and the Behavioural Science Institute as well as international partners. Responsibilities may also include management, mentoring (PhD, MSc, and BSc students), and teaching-related tasks.

Candidate Profile

You are a good fit if you:

Hold a PhD in a relevant field (e.g., cognitive or affective neuroscience, computational psychiatry, human decision sciences)
Have demonstrable interest and experience in probabilistic and/or other modelling approaches to decision making
Possess expertise in neuroimaging techniques (preferably MEG and/or fMRI)
Have an interest in psychophysiological threat states and autonomic changes in anxiety patients
Demonstrate good social, communication, and organisational skills
Are a team player

Preferred Experience:

Human psychophysiology
Supervising students at various levels

What We Offer

Temporary employment contract of four years
Salary within Scale 11, depending on prior education and relevant experience (38-hour working week). If your dissertation is not yet approved, you will initially be placed in salary scale 10.4. Once approved, you will move to scale 11
8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
Extra days off: with full-time employment, choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20

Additional Employment Conditions:

Flexible working hours, various leave arrangements, and working from home
Option to exchange income for extra leave or receive sports reimbursement
34% discount on sports and cultural activities at Radboud University
Pension plan and professional development opportunities

Work Environment

Affective Neuroscience Group – Led by Prof. Karin Roelofs, Faculty of Social Sciences

Appointed by the Faculty’s Behavioural Science Institute (BSI)
BSI participates in the Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (DCCN)

BSI:

Interdisciplinary research institute addressing societal issues
Research facilities: observational studies, experiments, eye-tracking, EEG, GSR recording, psychobiology, behavioural measurements in real and 3D virtual environments

DCCN:

Conducts cutting-edge research in cognitive neuroscience
Equipment: 4 MRI scanners (7T, 3x 3T), 275-channel MEG system, EEG-TMS/TUS lab, MR-compatible EEG systems, high-performance computing
Hosts over 100 PhD candidates and postdocs from more than 25 countries

Faculty of Social Sciences:

Education and research on human behaviour, society, and culture
Employs 700 staff and provides education to 6,000 students
Research institutes: Donders Centre for Cognition, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud Social Cultural Research

Radboud University:

Committed to groundbreaking research, high-quality education, collaboration, and inclusivity
Encourages staff from diverse backgrounds and perspectives