Lunds universitet, Institutionen för psykologi

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Research project
The Department of Psychology invites applications for a doctoral student within the research project “When remembering affects new learning: Temporal dynamics of memory integration revealed by EEG and machine learning techniques” (Principal Investigator: Dr. Inês Bramão).

Episodic memory enables us to revisit the past to inform and shape current thinking and behaviour. Retrieval cues in the present bring to mind past episodes by triggering the reactivation of stored memories. Recent influential work in cognitive neuroscience has shown that reactivated memories influence the encoding of new episodes, allowing us to integrate overlapping events. However, the neural mechanisms mediating such memory integration and its behavioural implications remain to be specified.

The overarching goal of this research project is to shed light on the boundary conditions for memory integration. The current project will capitalize on recent advances in machine learning and employ multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) of high-temporal resolution electroencephalographic (EEG) data to measure memory reactivation as it unfolds during new learning, and to give insight into the temporal dynamics of memory integration.

PhD Project
The doctoral project is part of the research project described above; therefore, its final design is to be decided together with the project leaders. Nevertheless, the doctoral student will have great opportunities to influence the final design of the studies. In the final part of the doctoral studies, the doctoral student is expected to independently develop his/her own research ideas. The applicant is to submit a research plan where potential research ideas and possible studies, within current episodic memory research, are presented.

The PhD student is expected to take an active role in all stages of the research project. The PhD student will be responsible for stimuli material preparation, designing and programing experiments, collecting and analysing behavioural and EEG data, and for reporting and presenting the research results.

The doctoral project will be conducted within the Lund Memory Lab and it will be carried out in collaboration with other participants in the research team. The team has expertise with high temporal resolution techniques and its research approach combines behavioural testing with EEG and eye tracking measures. The Lund Memory Lab is led by Prof. Mikael Johansson and produces research with international impact at the forefront of current episodic memory research. The PhD project will be supervised by Dr. Inês Bramão and Prof. Mikael Johansson.

Work duties
The PhD programme in psychology comprises 240 credits, which corresponds to four years of full-time study. The programme concludes with the doctoral student defending their PhD thesis at a public defence. Those appointed to doctoral studentships shall devote themselves to their research studies. Provisions on the employment of doctoral students are provided in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. The doctoral student is expected to actively participate in the research and teaching environment at the department as well as to perform teaching duties, up to no more than 20 per cent of a full-time post. Information on research studies in psychology can be found at http://www.psy.lu.se/studera/forskarutbildning (in Swedish).

Eligibility
A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle studies if he or she has 1) completed a second-cycle degree or, 2) has completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or 3) has acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in psychology if he or she has completed at least 30 second-cycle credits in the main field of psychology, including at least 15 credits from a second-cycle degree project, or corresponding knowledge acquired in Sweden or abroad.

Provisions for the employment of doctoral students are stated in the Higher Education Ordinance SFS 1998:80. Only those who have been admitted to third-cycle courses and study programmes may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment is made, the ability of the student to benefit from the research studies must be taken into account. In addition to the obligation to focus on their own research studies, the doctoral student may be tasked to work in education, research and administration in accordance with specific provisions in the ordinance. Applicants are assessed with regard to:

  • 1) Previous experience and work within the subject area of the doctoral project. Priority will be given to applicants with documented experience within the field of cognitive neuroscience, in particular within memory research.
  • 2) The quality and feasibility of the proposed research plan. Previous work and experience will be taken into account when assessing the research plan.
  • 3) Previous experience collecting and analysing EEG data.
  • 4) Programming skills (e-prime, matlab, fieldtrip, etc.).
  • 5) The quality of previous writings, such as master's thesis, published reports and other relevant research outputs

Application
The application is to be made electronically via Lund University's search portal. The application is to be submitted in English and it must contain:

  • 1) Personal letter (max. 2 pages) containing a presentation of the applicant, important qualifications and a brief description of why the applicant is interested in the project.
  • 2) Curriculum vitae.
  • 3) Research plan (max. 5 pages) that addresses potential research questions at the forefront of current episodic memory research.
  • 4) Certificates that demonstrate that the applicant meets the requirements for admission to third-cycle studies.
  • 5) Two signed references letters with contact details

Terms of employment
Fixed-term employment, four years, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5 Section 7. 

Type of employment Temporary position
First day of employment 2020-04-01 or by agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2020/44
Contact
  • Hannah Stén, HR coordinator, +46462228769
  • Robert Holmberg, Head of Department, +46462228768
  • Dr. Inês Bramão, Principal Investigator, ines.bramao@psy.lu.se
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
Published 10.Jan.2020
Last application date 10.Mar.2020 11:59 PM CET

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