Research Assistant at DCC

As a Research Assistant at DCC, you will investigate the role of different memory systems in second language (L2) word and grammar learning across different individuals and learning situations, using methods ranging from behavioural to brain imaging techniques.

How people learn a second language (L2) is rarely investigated from the perspective of neurocognitive memory research. Together with the team, you will investigate the role of different memory systems in L2 word and grammar learning across different individuals and learning situations and with different methods, ranging from behavioural to brain imaging techniques.

We are only slowly beginning to understand the different ways in which memories can be formed and retained in long-term memory. Different memory systems in our brain (e.g. the hippocampus vs. neocortical structures) are involved, depending not only on whether and how long ago the information was learned, but probably also on the individual learner, the type of learning material and the learning situation.

As part of the team of the ERC consolidator project ’MultiMemoryL2 - Multiple routes to memory for a second language’, you will contribute to the study of how different memory systems are used for L2 word, pronunciation and grammar learning, and how this differs between individuals and learning contexts. The project makes use of behavioural, electrophysiological and brain imaging techniques. You will collaborate with the project team, consisting of several junior researchers, as well as with project leader Prof. Kristin Lemhöfer.

Your main tasks will be to prepare, carry out and help analyse behavioural and brain imaging experiments with healthy adult participants. Furthermore, you will support the professional handling of data archiving and ethical approval as well as other administrative tasks within the ERC project. Ideally, you have the skills required for maintaining the project’s website and the programming of the experiments. Currently, we are especially looking for someone with experience in the analysis of fMRI data (but this is not a strict requirement). This position is well suited to you if you wish to qualify and prepare for a later PhD position.

“I quickly found my rhythm at Radboud University because of the great support, friendly environment and likeminded people.”

Yuxuan Dai, PhD Candidate at the Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging

Does this sound like you?

• You should hold at least a BA degree (or equivalent) in Psychology, Linguistics, Cognitive Neuroscience, Education, or another relevant field of study.
• You have native or near-native proficiency in Dutch (required for the interaction with our participants) and are fluent in written and spoken English.
• You enjoy, and possibly have experience with, communicating with research participants and possibly also with analysing experimental data.
• You have good communication skills, you are good in planning and time management and like to work in a team.
• You are somewhat flexible with respect to working hours during intensive testing phases.
• It would be advantageous if you are experienced in programming (e.g. in PsychPy/Python), and / or the analysis of fMRI data.

What we offer you

• We will give you a temporary employment contract until 31 October 2027.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Where you will be working

The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is a world-class interfaculty research centre that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Research at the Donders Institute is focused around four themes:

1. Language and communication.
2. Perception, action and decision-making.
3. Development and lifelong plasticity.
4. Natural computing and neurotechnology.

Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary and supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute.

The PI group 'Cognition of Multilingualism' is based at the Donders Centre of Cognition, conducting research under Donders Theme 1.

Faculty of Social Sciences

At the Faculty of Social Sciences, humanity and society are our focus; we study how people behave, think and feel. Within this context, we look at themes such as human behaviour and the human psyche, education and upbringing, communication, society and culture. Our research is carried out within three research institutes: the Donders Centre for Cognition, the Behavioural Science Institute, and Radboud Social Cultural Research.