Postdoctoral Position in the Cognitive Computational Neuroscience of Language

Job description

• You will be responsible for directing, planning, and executing project(s) investigating the processing of spoken language processing using contemporary data analysis techniques (e.g., machine learning, dimensionality reduction), and computational models applied to and validated against magnetoencephalography (MEG) data.
• You will build a range of neuroimaging data analysis pipelines, as well as devise, implement, and test computational models, and write papers in collaboration with the group leader.
• This position also involves supervision and mentoring of junior researchers (e.g., PhD students, masters students, and interns) and consistent contributions to group meetings and activities, as well as Institute-level activities.
• You will have the opportunity to publish first author papers, contribute to related projects as a co-author and present your work at international conferences and institutions.
• You will be given an exceptional opportunity to develop your research skills and ask exciting scientific questions that catalyze your own research project(s) in this new area of research using cutting edge approaches.

Requirements

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., cognitive neuroscience of language, cognitive computational neuroscience, computational neuroscience, computational cognitive science, or computer science with a strong affinity for language, linguistics, and psycholinguistics).
• You must have good computational skills and proven experience in this area (e.g., during PhD or other training). Experience with language processing, speech processing, computational modelling, neural oscillations, cognitive computational neuroscience, the cognitive neuroscience of language, or mathematical and formal modelling are highly desirable. 
• Enthusiasm for the work and the subject area (i.e., language, structured representations, neural oscillations, symbolic-connectionism, dynamical systems, dimensionality reduction techniques in computational neuroscience, manifolds).
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Experience supervising students at any level would be advantageous.
• We encourage early career stage researchers and recent graduates to apply.

What we offer you

• Exciting research environment addressing cutting edge questions with interdisciplinary colleagues and collaborators (both local and international).
• State of the art laboratory and computing facilities, excellent resources, infrastructure and offices.
• Excellent mentoring, training and career development support and opportunities. Including local support and funding to attend external conferences and training courses when needed.
• The salary is according to the German TVöD (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst) and is classified in salary group E13 (depending on the experience of the applicant between EUR 5.709,87 and EUR 7.0235,87 gross per month, based on full time employment).
• Full time position (1.0 FTE), 39 hours per week (lower FTE will be considered if desired by candidate).
• Desired start date September - December 2026 and term of appointment is 4 years.

Application procedure

Applications must be in English and include:
A complete application includes the following information, saved as YourFirstnameLastname.pdf:

• Statement of why you are interested in this post and a good match for the post and research group (max. 500 words).
• CV including publication list.
• Names, email addresses and contact numbers of three referees who would be willing to provide letters of recommendation.    

Please submit your application directly via this link in the application portal.
*If you encounter any issues with uploading to the application portal, we recommend trying a different browser, as this often solves the problem.
For any questions and informal enquiries, contact Ms. Emma Gerards (Secretary to Dr. A E Martin): emma.gerards [at] mpi.nl (emma[dot]gerards[at]mpi[dot]nl) 
Please use the subject line: LaCNS Post-doctoral application - 2026.

Deadline for applications is June 12, 2026.
 

The employer

About our institute

The Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics is a world-leading research institute devoted to interdisciplinary studies of the science of language and communication, including departments on genetics, psychology, development, neurobiology and multimodality of these fundamental human abilities.
We investigate how children and adults acquire their language(s), how speaking and listening happen in real time, how the brain processes language, how the human genome contributes to building a language-ready brain, how multiple modalities (as in speech, gesture and sign) shape language and its use in diverse languages and how language is related to cognition and culture, and shaped by evolution.
We are part of the Max Planck Society, an independent non-governmental association of German-funded research institutes dedicated to fundamental research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise the positive value of diversity and inclusion, promote equity and challenge discrimination. We aim to provide a working environment with room for differences, where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Therefore, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Our institute is situated on the campus of the Radboud University and has close collaborative links with the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and the Centre for Language Studies at Radboud University. We also work closely with other child development researchers as part of the Baby & Child Research Center.
Staff and students at the MPI have access to state-of-the art research and training facilities.