The SpringLab at Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) is recruiting two fully funded PhD students to join research projects in the areas of social cognition, neurodegeneration, and loneliness in young adults. The positions are supervised by Professor Dana Samson, with collaborations involving Jan Van den Stock (KU Leuven) and Pegah Masrori (Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc). The research topics include: (1) Social Cognition & Neurodegeneration, focusing on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying social processes in neurodegenerative diseases, and (2) Social Cognition & Loneliness in Young Adults, investigating the psychological and cognitive factors contributing to loneliness and social functioning in younger populations.

These PhD positions offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment at UCLouvain, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and collaborations with leading Belgian institutions. The projects are ideal for candidates with a background in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, or related fields, and a strong interest in social cognition, neurodegenerative disorders, or loneliness research. The positions are fully funded, covering tuition fees and providing a stipend for living expenses.

Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence, relevant research interests, and proficiency in English. The application deadline is 15 February 2026. For more information and detailed application instructions, visit the SpringLab website or contact the lab directly. This is an excellent opportunity for motivated students to pursue doctoral research in cutting-edge topics at a leading European university.