Our lab at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has an opening to be filled by either a PhD student (4 years) or junior PostDoc (2-3 years), financed by an NWO-CAS grant.

Outline of research project

In this project, we will study the interplay between top-down and bottom-up processing in perceptual bistability using functional imaging of cortical laminae at 7T. This project will answer cognitive neuroscience questions from a systems neuroscience perspective. The project involves mathematical modelling of behaviour, detailed psychophysics and eye tracking, as well as the development of state-of-the-art analysis techniques for submillimeter resolution functional imaging. Therefore, the successful applicant will have a background in computation, be a fluent programmer and preferably have experience with high-resolution functional imaging.

The project is a collaboration with the Zhang lab at the Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing and the He lab at the University of Minnesota, and will involve regular travel between these labs.

Information & Application

Feel free to contact Tomas Knapen for informal inquiries. More information on bistable perception can be found in our soon-to-appear review of the topic on the Annual Reviews of Psychology website. The lab website can be found at tknapen.github.io, and we are part of the cognitive psychology group in the department of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at the VU.

A formal application should contain a CV, two-page statement of interest and two names of persons that can provide letters of recommendation, and be sent to Barbara Goudriaan, with reference number 00034515 in the subject line of the application email. We will entertain applications continuously from now.

Further particulars


The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel. As an indication, this is a minimum of €2191 gross per month for a PhD position, and €2717 for a PostDoc position, depending on experience.

The appointment will be initially for 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it will be extended. You can find information about benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl