The Department of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence (CSAI) at Tilburg University is thrilled to announce a 4-year fully funded PhD position in the dynamic field of normative modeling of functional neuroimaging data. We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our international research team and contribute to the advancement of responsible machine learning technologies for normative modeling. As a PhD researcher, you will have the opportunity to develop interpretable, fair, safe, and privacy-preserving normative models of brain activity using large-scale electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetoencephalogram (MEG) data. This groundbreaking research aims to revolutionize precision medicine (psychiatry) by significantly improving the diagnosis and prognosis of mental disorders. If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of neuroscience and harnessing the potential of machine learning techniques to positively impact mental health, we invite you to apply for this exciting and fully funded opportunity.

Job description
This position is hosted by the Computational Psychiatry group within focuses on cutting-edge research in responsible machine learning methods for applications in the mental health domain, collaborating with esteemed European and international partners. The PhD candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Seyed Mostafa Kia, Dr. Marijn van Wingerden, and Dr. Marie Postma. The PhD candidate will collaborate closely with national, European, and international partners throughout the project, fostering the development of a strong scientific network at an early stage of their career. This collaborative environment will offer unique opportunities for professional growth and the exploration of diverse research perspectives.

The candidate will be engaged in research with following key objectives:

• Compiling a comprehensive MEG/EEG dataset from diverse sources
• Developing a robust and standardized data (pre)processing pipeline
• Estimating a normative model of brain oscillations using multi-site data
• Benchmarking the model using clinical data for validation

The student is further involved in the department educational (teaching and supervision of BSc and MSc students) and organizational activities (e.g., co-organizing talks and workshops).

Our ideal candidate brings the skills listed below; however, we invite applicants who have a strong profile in a subset of these:

• A master's degree in artificial intelligence, data science, computer science, computational neuroscience/psychology, or a related quantitative field.
• Proficiency in scientific programming languages, particularly Python (Numpy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Scikit-Learn, Tensorflow, PyTorch, etc.), as well as MATLAB.
• Experience working with advanced machine learning techniques, including deep learning, generative AI models, and probabilistic modeling.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team to drive innovative research.
• Fluent spoken and written English communication skills.

Having the following additional skills would be highly advantageous:

• Familiarity with EEG and MEG data processing tools such as Fieldtrip or MNE-Python.
• Knowledge of Bayesian statistical modeling using PyMC.
• Previous experience in normative modeling applied to neuroimaging data.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The conditions of employment for this position are as follows:

• This is a full-time position (1.0 FTE).
• The starting date is negotiable but preferably no later than October 1, 2023.
• The selected candidate will initially be offered a one-year contract at Tilburg University within the Department of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence. This contract will be subject to evaluation. Following a positive evaluation after the first year, the candidate will be offered an employment contract for an additional three years.
• The PhD candidate will be classified under the Dutch university job ranking system (UFO) as a PhD student (promovendus), with a starting gross salary of €2,541 per month in the first year, increasing to €3,247 in the final year. The salary is inclusive of a holiday allowance (8% in May) and an end-of-year bonus (8.3% in December).
• The employee will be enrolled in the civil servants pension fund (ABP).
• Researchers from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a tax-free allowance equivalent to 30% of their taxable salary. The university will assist in applying for this allowance on their behalf.
• The university will provide support in finding suitable accommodation for foreign employees.
• The university offers excellent fringe benefits, including an options model for terms and conditions of employment and generous reimbursement of moving expenses. Tilburg University is known as one of the top non-profit employers in the Netherlands.

The Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence (CSAI) department at Tilburg University is a vibrant and interdisciplinary research community focused on the field of Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science. Our dedicated team of researchers and faculty members actively engage in cutting-edge research and contribute to both undergraduate and graduate programs in Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence as well as Data Science & Society.

The department is conveniently located on the Tilburg University campus in the Dante Building, providing a collaborative and stimulating environment for research and learning. Additionally, we have a presence in the Spoorzone/MindLabs in the Deprez building, further expanding our reach and fostering collaboration with external partners.

Collaboration is a key aspect of our department's philosophy, and we maintain strong ties with the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) in 's-Hertogenbosch, as well as with other departments and research institutes within Tilburg University. These connections allow us to leverage diverse expertise and resources, enhancing the quality and impact of our research endeavors.

Furthermore, we actively contribute to various professional associations and initiatives in the field of Artificial Intelligence. We are proud members of the Benelux Association for Artificial Intelligence (BNVKI) and actively participate in the Special Interest Group for AI (SIG AI) and the Tilburg University Special Interest Group for AI (TAISIG). Additionally, we have contributed to the Dutch AI Manifesto, advocating for the advancement and responsible development of AI in the Netherlands. Moreover, we are actively involved in the Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe (CLAIRE), further strengthening our collaborations and impact on the European AI landscape.