Rose Bruffaerts

University of Antwerp / μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence is advertising a PhD opportunity in neurobiology of language and cognitive neuroscience . The project focuses on identifying the neural substrates of speech and language change in neurodegenerative disorders such as frontotemporal degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease . The position is embedded in an interdisciplinary research environment within the Experimental Neurobiology unit and the Computationele Neurologie research group, part of the μNEURO Center of Excellence. The post highlights expertise in neuroimaging of language and offers the chance to combine fundamental research with patient-contact study settings. Eligibility: applicants should hold a Master’s degree in psychology (theory and experimental psychology or clinical psychology), or obtain it by the start date. Strong academic results are expected, along with eligibility for an FWO Aspirant mandate . Candidates must have excellent Dutch (C2 minimum) and very good English . Experience with neurodegenerative diseases and MRI/computational skills are advantageous. Funding: the role is a doctoral scholarship for one year, renewable after positive evaluation, with monthly stipend according to doctoral scholarship rates. Additional benefits include eco vouchers, internet allowance, and bicycle/public transport reimbursement. The team also supports applications for personal funding. Deadline: apply by 18 May 2026 . Start date is expected on 1 September or 1 October 2026 . How to apply: submit your application via the University of Antwerp online portal. Include a motivation letter, CV, bachelor and master transcripts, thesis information, and contact details for at least one reference person (minimum postdoctoral level).

The University of Antwerp, a dynamic and forward-thinking institution, invites applications for a full-time PhD studentship in neurolinguistics. This opportunity is offered jointly by the Department of Linguistics (Faculty of Arts) and the Department of Biomedical Sciences (Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences). The position is embedded in an interdisciplinary research environment, with access to the Centre for Computational Linguistics, Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics, as well as the Computational Neurology group of the Experimental Neurobiology Unit. The doctoral project focuses on the psycholinguistic analysis of sentence construction and its underlying neural substrates. You will collect behavioral and EEG data from participants, analyze patterns of sentence production in spontaneous speech across diverse groups (including youth, elderly, and patients with neurological conditions), and investigate the relationship between local and global coherence in speech. The project also examines the effects of sentence construction modulation during comprehension tasks, linking linguistic phenomena to neural activity via EEG. You will disseminate your findings through scientific publications and presentations at international conferences. As a doctoral researcher, you will also contribute to teaching and research support within the departments, such as supervising bachelor/master theses related to your research. The position offers a unique chance to conduct fundamental research in neurolinguistics within a collaborative and inclusive academic setting. Eligibility: Applicants must have (or soon obtain) a master's degree in Linguistics, Language and Literature, Digital Text Analysis, or a related field. Excellent academic performance is required, and candidates must meet the criteria for the FWO Aspirant mandate. Experience in linguistic or neuroscientific research (e.g., psycholinguistics, neuroimaging) and/or quantitative data analysis is expected. Basic skills in statistics and programming (R, Matlab, Python) are required, with willingness to further develop these. Minimum B2 level in Dutch or readiness to acquire it quickly, and excellent English proficiency are necessary. Funding: The position offers a doctoral scholarship for one year, renewable annually up to four years based on positive evaluation. The monthly stipend is set according to university rates. Additional benefits include ecocheques, internet-connectivity allowance, bicycle or public transport reimbursement, and access to a wide range of doctoral training and credits via the Antwerp Doctoral School. Application Process: Applications must be submitted online via the University of Antwerp platform by 1 July 2026. Required documents include a motivation letter, CV with transcripts, information about your master thesis, and contact details of at least one reference (postdoctoral level). After the deadline, shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview in the second week of July 2026. For questions about the application process, contact [email protected]. For academic inquiries, contact Prof. Dr. Sarah Bernolet ([email protected]) or Prof. Dr. Rose Bruffaerts ([email protected]). The University of Antwerp is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities. The institution has been awarded the 'HR Excellence in Research Award' by the European Commission and offers a supportive, family-friendly work environment.