Employment0.8 – 1.0 FTEGross monthly salary€ 3,974 – € 5,439Required backgroundPhDOrganizational unitFaculty of Social SciencesApplication deadline28 August 2022

The AI Department of the Donders Centre for Cognition (DCC), part of the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, and the School of Artificial Intelligence at Radboud University are looking for a postdoctoral researcher in modelling and control of neural systems. You will be part of the Dutch DBI2 consortium, which aims to understand brain function from a computational and mechanistic perspective (www.dbi2.nl).

You will develop new models and algorithms for the estimation and control of neural systems. To this end, you will make use of recent advances in machine learning, particularly neural differential equations, create efficient implementations of large-scale computational models, and develop energy-efficient algorithms for system identification and optimal control of complex systems. You will publish your work in high-impact conferences and journals, help coordinate the AI-related component of the research programme, and be an active member of the consortium.

Profile

• You have a PhD degree in Artificial Intelligence, Physics, Computer Science or a related discipline.
• You have a strong understanding of deep learning, dynamical systems theory and reinforcement learning.
• You have excellent programming skills, including experience with modern deep learning frameworks such as Jax or Pytorch.
• You are interested in natural computing, automated scientific discovery and optimal control of complex systems.
• Experience in computational neuroscience is desirable but not essential.
• You have an excellent track record in scientific research, as evidenced by publications in top-tier conferences and journals.
• You have excellent communication skills and a proven ability to provide inspiring teaching in English.
• You are enthusiastic and able to work together with others in a team.

We are

Strategically located in Europe, Radboud University is one of the leading academic communities in the Netherlands. A place with a personal touch, where top-flight education and research take place on a beautiful green campus in modern buildings with state-of-art facilities. The successful candidate will be embedded in the AI Division of the Donders Centre for Cognition (DCC) and the School of Artificial Intelligence (AI), both part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is home to more than 700 researchers from 35 countries who collaborate in an open community and share the goal of contributing to the advancement of the understanding of natural intelligence. The objective of the position is to develop state-of-the-art AI research of international standing and to contribute to teaching on machine learning-related topics in the educational program. The DCC and the Donders Institute provide excellent facilities such as computing clusters, a robot lab, a virtual reality lab, brain imaging, behavioural labs, and a technical support group. The AI Department is also one of the founding partners of Radboud AI and the ELLIS Unit Nijmegen. You will be embedded in the Artificial Cognitive Systems group headed by Prof. Marcel van Gerven. 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, multi-disciplinary, supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute.

Radboud University

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

We offer

• It concerns an employment for 0.8 – 1.0 FTE.
• The gross monthly salary amounts to a minimum of €3,974 and a maximum of €5,439 based on a 38-hour working week, depending on previous education and number of years of relevant work experience (salary scale 11).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• It concerns a temporary employment for 3 years.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University’s primary and secondary employment conditions. 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 subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Would you like more information?

For questions about the position, please contact Marcel van Gerven, Project Lead at marcel.vangerven@donders.ru.nl.

Practical information and applying

You can apply until 28 August 2022, exclusively using the button below. Kindly address your application to Marcel van Gerven. Please fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

• A letter of motivation.
• Your CV, including the contact details of two references who may be contacted for further information.
• Two recent publications.

The first round of interviews will take place on Thursday 8 September. The second round of interviews will take place on Thursday 15 September. You would preferably begin employment on 1 October 2022.

We can imagine you’re curious about our application procedure. It offers a rough outline of what you can expect during the application process, how we handle your personal data and how we deal with internal and external candidates.

Apply now Application deadline 28 August 2022