Postdoctoral researcher in Cognitive Neuroscience

The Department of Psychology invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher within the research project “How the brain coordinates the flexible switching between languages” (Principal Investigator: Dr Roger Johansson; Co-Principal Investigator: Prof. Mikael Johansson).

The project leverages recent methodological advancements in cognitive neuroscience to investigate the neurocognitive basis of flexible switching between multiple languages, focusing on the roles of memory and cognitive control systems. Alternating between languages is a skill extensively trained by early bilinguals and multilinguals. Over the past two decades, a substantial body of research has deepened our understanding of how these abilities are related to memory, context, and cognitive control. Despite this progress, the specific neurocognitive mechanisms that enable the rapid regulation of multiple languages remain poorly understood. This project seeks to fill this gap by examining the temporal dynamics of language and code-switching, moving beyond merely identifying brain regions to enhance our knowledge of the timing and interactions of the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms.

By employing advanced multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) techniques with electroencephalography (EEG), we aim to decode language-specific neural representations as they are dynamically regulated in real time. The project will be carried out within the research programme TEAM (Transdisciplinary Approaches to Learning, Acquisition, Multilingualism), coordinated by Prof. Marianne Gullberg and Prof. Jonas Granfeldt. TEAM applies a transdisciplinary approach to study the complex interaction between linguistic, cognitive, neurological, and social prerequisites that underpin language acquisition and multilingualism at the level of the individual and of social interaction. The TEAM programme offers a unique cross-faculty platform at Lund university with researchers from the Humanities, Social Sciences, Educational Science and Medicine, with the ultimate goal to propose an empirically based integrated, transdisciplinary model of variation in acquisition and multilingualism to generate new hypotheses and guide applied and translational research forward.

The project’s principal investigators (Roger Johansson, Mikael Johansson) are part of Lund Memory Lab, which specialises in high-time resolution research techniques (EEG, eye tracking) and machine learning approaches (MVPA) to reveal the temporal dynamics of cognition. Here are some examples of recent related work from the Lund Memory Lab:

Bramão, I., Jiang, J., Wagner, A. D., & Johansson, M. (2022). Encoding contexts are incidentally reinstated during competitive retrieval and track the temporal dynamics of memory interference. Cerebral Cortex, 32(22), 5020-5035. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhab529

Kerrén, C., Bramao, I., Hellerstedt, R., & Johansson, M. (2021). Strategic retrieval prevents memory interference: The temporal dynamics of retrieval orientation. Neuropsychologia, 154, 107776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2021.107776 

Johansson, R., Pärnamets, P., Bjernestedt, A., & Johansson, M. (2018). Pupil dilation tracks the dynamics of mnemonic interference resolution. Scientific reports, 8(1), 4826. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-23297-3

We offer
Lund University is a state authority, which means you get special benefits, generous holidays and a favorable occupational pension. Read more on the university's website about being employed at Lund University, Work with us.

Work duties
The main duty involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Involvement in the co-supervision of students is desirable.

The post-doctoral researcher is expected to take an active role in all stages of the research project. The post-doctoral researcher will be responsible for preparing stimulus material, designing and programming experiments, collecting and analyzing behavioral, eye-tracking, and EEG data, and for reporting and presenting the research results.

Qualification requirements
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent, in psychology, neuroscience, or linguistics, completed no more than five years before the date of employment decision.

Assessment criteria:

•  Experience and publications in cognitive neuroscience, neurolinguistics, psycholinguistics, cognitive control, multilingualism.
• Experience in collecting behavioral and EEG data.
• Good knowledge of EEG/MEG data analysis using EEGLAB, Fieldtrip, MNE-Python, etc.
• Knowledge of signal processing, image analysis, machine learning, statistics; experience in mathematical analysis is a plus.
• Proficiency in programming (MATLAB, R, Python, etc.).
• High quality of previous scientific contributions, such as published reports and other research outputs.
• High proficiency in English (oral and written communication skills).

Terms of employment
The employment is a fixed-term employment of three years, 100% with a start date of 2025-01-01) or as agreed. The postdoctoral fellow is expected to be present and work on-site.

How to apply
The application is to be made electronically via Lund University's search portal.

The application is to be submitted in English and must include the following:

• A cover letter (max. 2 pages) introducing the applicant, highlighting important qualifications, and describing why the applicant is interested in the project.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications.
• Certificates demonstrating the applicant’s qualifications.
• Two reference letters with referees' contact information.

Interviews are expected to be held in early September.

We look forward to receiving your application!