Tenure-Track Assistant Professor position in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Welcome to Maastricht University! How does the developing brain shape the way we learn and feel? And how can that knowledge help us optimize education and child health care? At Maastricht University, the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience group is addressing exactly these questions. We’re looking for an enthusiastic colleague to help us push the field forward.

Our Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (DCN) section investigates behavioral and brain mechanisms underlying cognitive, language, socio-emotional, and sensorimotor development from infancy to adulthood, and how these mechanisms shape individual differences in learning, behaviour, and mental health.

Our lab is embedded in the Cognitive Neuroscience (CN) department at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN), Maastricht University. You will join an international and collaborative research community of around 50 permanent staff members and 60 temporary staff (PhD candidates and postdocs). Together, we work across dedicated research lines aimed at understanding and modelling the neural mechanisms and trajectories of cognition, behaviour, and development.

The CN department offers an environment that combines cutting‑edge methodological approaches—integrating neuroimaging (EEG, ECoG, fMRI, fNIRS), high‑precision behavioural tracking (eye‑tracking and motion‑capture), neuromodulation (NIBS, neurofeedback), and computational modelling. We take an active translational approach, enabling direct impact on healthcare and education. For example, the “Brain and Language” team within the DCN section develops educational neuroscience applications, including digital tools for the early prediction and intervention of reading problems.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious developmental cognitive neuroscientist. Depending on your unique expertise and research interests, your work will advance our understanding of neuro‑behavioural mechanisms at the intersection of self‑regulated learning, socio‑emotional development, and motivation. We offer the flexibility to shape this agenda within the broader field of educational neuroscience. Your research aims to understand and model individual differences in children’s neuro‑developmental trajectories, inspiring innovative applications in education (e.g., adaptive digital tools).

You are also driven to generate novel ideas and translate them into proposals for individual and collaborative research funding.

• Conduct Educational Neuroscience research at the intersection of self‑regulated learning, socio‑emotional development, and motivation
• Computational/Statistical modelling of (longitudinal) brain and behavioural data
• Generate novel ideas and translate them into grant proposals
• Contribute to the development of educational applications
• Collaborate with scientists and professionals in education/child mental healthcare
• Teach in our Developmental Psychology master and adjacent programs
• Supervise BA, MA and PhD students

Do you recognize yourself in this?

• You have a PhD and postdoctoral experience in (Developmental) Cognitive Neuroscience or a related field such as Cognitive psychology, Computational Neuroscience, Developmental science, Neuropsychology, Neuroscience;
• You have strong analytical, writing and communication skills and are interested in translating neuroscience research into educational applications;
• You have hands‑on expertise in developmental cognitive neuroscience methods, and affinity with advanced statistical analysis or computational modelling (e.g., growth curve modelling, machine learning, large language models);
• You have excellent English communication skills (oral and written). Basic Dutch understanding and speaking skills, or a willingness to learn, are a considerable advantage;
• You are an experienced and enthusiastic teacher and have demonstrated skills in teaching.

At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 12‑month contract (1,0 fte) with the prospect of a permanent contract based on…