PhD Position: Curiosity Classroom

PhD Position:
Curiosity in the Classroom

Are you fascinated by how curiosity shapes learning in the classroom? Would you like to investigate how children seek information, explore and learn in real-world educational settings? If so, then we invite you to apply for this PhD position on Curiosity in the Classroom at Radboud University.

Curiosity is a powerful driver of learning, yet we still know relatively little about how curiosity unfolds in the classroom and how educational environments can support children in becoming curious and actively seeking information. In this PhD project, you will investigate curiosity in 10-to 12-year-old children within authentic educational settings.

The project combines experimental research, classroom studies and computational modelling to better understand what makes children curious, how they decide which information to explore, and how different ways of structuring learning environments influence curiosity and learning. Computational models will be used to characterise individual differences in information-seeking behaviour and to examine how these differences relate to learning in the classroom. A central aim is to translate insights from fundamental research on curiosity into educational practice.

You will design and conduct studies in collaboration with primary schools and educational partners, review the scientific literature, recruit and test participants, develop and evaluate educational materials and experimental tasks, analyse behavioural data, apply computational modelling techniques, and write scientific articles that will form the basis of your dissertation.

You will work closely with your supervisors, another PhD candidate investigating the cognitive neuroscience of curiosity, and a broader interdisciplinary team of researchers in psychology, cognitive neuroscience and educational science. You will also collaborate with schools, teachers and educational organisations to conduct research in real-world learning environments.

The position involves frequent communication with children, parents, teachers, schools and other stakeholders, presenting your work to national and international audiences, and contributing to teaching for approximately 10% of your time.

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.

A PhD track at Radboud University gives you room to follow your own interests and ambitions. Mustafa Akpinar PhD candidate at the Behavioural Science Institute and lecturer in Communication Science

• You hold, or are about to obtain, a Research Master’s or Master’s degree in educational science, psychology, cognitive science or neuroscience, artificial intelligence or a related discipline.
• You have experience with designing and conducting educational or experimental research, preferably involving children between 10 and 12 years old, and/or a strong motivation to develop expertise in educational research.
• You have experience with computational modelling and/or a strong motivation to develop expertise in computational approaches to behaviour.
• You are able to communicate clearly and sensitively with Dutch-speaking children, parents, teachers and other stakeholders involved in the research. This requires a good command of both Dutch and English, as the project involves working with Dutch-speaking children and schools and communicating research findings internationally.
• You have experience with quantitative data analysis, preferably using tools such as R, Python, MATLAB, or similar software, and are motivated to further develop your quantitative and computational skills.
• You are interested in curiosity, motivation, learning and…