Join Us!
What could be more interesting than unravelling brain mechanisms of how we see, feel and interpret the world around us? The Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience group, part of the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, is seeking a highly qualified and motivated candidate to conduct collaborative research and teaching in Perceptual and Cognitive Neuroscience.
Our research focuses on neuronal mechanisms of perception, multisensory integration, representation, prediction and consciousness. These topics are addressed in relation to brain health and disease, using methods such as ensemble recordings in behaving subjects, two-photon Calcium imaging, optogenetics, computational modelling, advanced data analysis and human psychophysics as well as brain imaging.
You are eager to conduct studies on neural coding at the cell and population level during perceptual and cognitive operations focusing on methods such as in vivo two-photon neuronal Calcium imaging, optogenetic and related optical techniques, thereby closely interacting with other team members as well as engaging in external collaborations.
This is what you will do
You are enthusiastic about developing neuronal optical imaging and interventional techniques for studying collective neuronal behavior during perception and behavioral decision-making. The focus of the research is expected to be the experimental study of perceptual and cognitive brain systems, including but not limited to the field of consciousness, predictive coding, memory encoding and retrieval, categorization of sensory information and formation of representations. This focus can be strengthened using computational and molecular methods, and by harnessing its translational potential. In addition to two-photon Calcium imaging, other techniques preferably fitting your profile include imaging using genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) and all-optical neurophysiology using holographic photostimulation to manipulate specific cell assemblies. Part of the following tasks can be gradually built up during your employment:
Tasks and responsibilities:
- conducting independent as well as collaborative research and acquire external funding for research, publishing in high-level journals, presenting work at conferences;
- working closely together with other group members; (co-)supervising junior scientists and providing support in completing PhD theses;
- dedicating a substantial part of your time to teaching and coordination activities within the Bachelor curriculi Psychobiology and/or Biomedical Sciences and/or the Master curriculum Biomedical Sciences; creatively contribute to teaching programmes involving neuroscience;
- carrying out organizational tasks for the group and helping to run and maintain neuronal imaging facilities; supporting data analytics (mostly in Matlab/Python);
- actively contributing to and developing national and international research networks and other forms of cooperation.
What we ask of you
Your experience and profile:
- a PhD in Neuroscience, Biophysics or related field, and preferably several years of post-doc experience, which have resulted in publications in international peer-reviewed academic journals.
- experience in neuronal in vivo imaging, optics, optogenetics, surgical procedures for rodents, in vivo electrophysiology in vivo, programming and data analysis, animal behaviour and histology;
- preferably experience with acquisition of funding for research projects through government agencies or the private sector;
- preferably experience with management tasks, a track record and enthusiasm in teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels and in developing and organising education;
- fluency and excellent communication in English, both written and spoken. Non-native Dutch speakers must be willing to obtain A2 level proficiency in the Dutch language within three years of the start of the employment contract.
- You have obtained a University Teaching Qualification (BKO) or are willing to obtain this within two years after the start of the employment.
This is what we offer you
We offer an employment contract for 38 hours a week, for 18 months during which you should show your competence in research and teaching. The preferred starting date is September 1st, 2026. You will be offered a permanent position after positive assessment and evaluation.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €4,728 to €6,433 (scale 11). You get an additional 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Assistant Professor 2 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
Curious about our extensive secondary benefits package? You can read more about it here.
You will work in this team
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.
The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences is located in the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. The Swammerdam Institute is one of the eight institutes of the Faculty of Science (FNWI) of the University of Amsterdam. With approximately 240 employees, the Swammerdam Institute conducts high-quality international life science research and provides education within various university programs. Research is also conducted in close collaboration with the medical, biotechnological, chemical, food & agriculture, neurotechnology and other high-tech industries, and revolves around four main themes: Neuroscience, Cell & Systems Biology, Microbiology, and Green Life Sciences.
The Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience Groupfocuses on neuronal and systems-level mechanisms of perception, multisensory integration, representation, prediction and consciousness. These topics are addressed using methods such as ensemble recordings in behaving subjects, optogenetics, computational modelling, analysis of neuronal population behavior, and EEG and fMRI in healthy humans as well as psychiatric patients. Group members frequently work together and maintain a congenial working culture. The group leads various (inter)national initiatives, such as consortia in Neurotechnology and in Adversarial Collaboration on brain mechanisms of consciousness.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
Are you passionate about neuroscience and eager to contribute to groundbreaking research on neuronal mechanisms of perception and cognition? The Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam is looking for an ambitious Assistant Professor to join our interdisciplinary research team of the research group Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience.
Join Us!
What could be more interesting than unravelling brain mechanisms of how we see, feel and interpret the world around us? The Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience group, part of the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, is seeking a highly qualified and motivated candidate to conduct collaborative research and teaching in Perceptual and Cognitive Neuroscience.
Our research focuses on neuronal mechanisms of perception, multisensory integration, representation, prediction and consciousness. These topics are addressed in relation to brain health and disease, using methods such as ensemble recordings in behaving subjects, two-photon Calcium imaging, optogenetics, computational modelling, advanced data analysis and human psychophysics as well as brain imaging.
You are eager to conduct studies on neural coding at the cell and population level during perceptual and cognitive operations focusing on methods such as in vivo two-photon neuronal Calcium imaging, optogenetic and related optical techniques, thereby closely interacting with other team members as well as engaging in external collaborations.
This is what you will do
You are enthusiastic about developing neuronal optical imaging and interventional techniques for studying collective neuronal behavior during perception and behavioral decision-making. The focus of the research is expected to be the experimental study of perceptual and cognitive brain systems, including but not limited to the field of consciousness, predictive coding, memory encoding and retrieval, categorization of sensory information and formation of representations. This focus can be strengthened using computational and molecular methods, and by harnessing its translational potential. In addition to two-photon Calcium imaging, other techniques preferably fitting your profile include imaging using genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) and all-optical neurophysiology using holographic photostimulation to manipulate specific cell assemblies. Part of the following tasks can be gradually built up during your employment:
Tasks and responsibilities:
- conducting independent as well as collaborative research and acquire external funding for research, publishing in high-level journals, presenting work at conferences;
- working closely together with other group members; (co-)supervising junior scientists and providing support in completing PhD theses;
- dedicating a substantial part of your time to teaching and coordination activities within the Bachelor curriculi Psychobiology and/or Biomedical Sciences and/or the Master curriculum Biomedical Sciences; creatively contribute to teaching programmes involving neuroscience;
- carrying out organizational tasks for the group and helping to run and maintain neuronal imaging facilities; supporting data analytics (mostly in Matlab/Python);
- actively contributing to and developing national and international research networks and other forms of cooperation.
What we ask of you
Your experience and profile:
- a PhD in Neuroscience, Biophysics or related field, and preferably several years of post-doc experience, which have resulted in publications in international peer-reviewed academic journals.
- experience in neuronal in vivo imaging, optics, optogenetics, surgical procedures for rodents, in vivo electrophysiology in vivo, programming and data analysis, animal behaviour and histology;
- preferably experience with acquisition of funding for research projects through government agencies or the private sector;
- preferably experience with management tasks, a track record and enthusiasm in teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels and in developing and organising education;
- fluency and excellent communication in English, both written and spoken. Non-native Dutch speakers must be willing to obtain A2 level proficiency in the Dutch language within three years of the start of the employment contract.
- You have obtained a University Teaching Qualification (BKO) or are willing to obtain this within two years after the start of the employment.
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 20 July 2026. If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:
- Prof. Dr. C. Pennartz, Full Professor, c.m.a.pennartz@uva.nl T: +31 642930552
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):
- a detailed CV including the total amount of months (not just years) of teaching and other work experience;
- a letter of motivation;
- a list of publications;
- the names and email addresses of two referents who can provide letters of recommendation.
A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines).
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.
