Researcher in Neuroscience

Catholic University of Leuven

(ref. BAP-2023-224)
This project is an international collaboration project within the framework of an FWO-WEAVE application between the research groups of Bert De Smedt (KU Leuven) and Stephan Vogel (University of Graz) specialized in cognitive development. An overview of these research groups can be found at https://ppw.kuleuven.be/pserg/psergstaff/00040938 and https://psychologie.uni-graz.at/en/educational-neuroscience/ The research groups involved have a long-standing collaboration and excellent experience in supervising doctoral students. They have a strong international network with other research groups around the world that are involved in the neurocognitive development of math.

Project

There is increasing evidence that children's metacognitive skills are a good and stable predictor of their later math performance. Metacognitive skills include self-regulatory processes that people use to monitor and adjust their thinking processes while performing a task (e.g., judging when a mistake has been made; deciding whether to check an exercise again). In this international project in collaboration with the Educational Neuroscience Unit of the University of Graz (Austria; https://psychologie.uni-graz.at/en/educational-neuroscience/) we aim to investigate the neurocognitive mechanisms of these metacognitive skills during solving and learning math exercises in children and adults. The project consists of three work packages that (1) investigate the relationship between math performance and metacognition in four age groups (2) study the role of metacognition in learning new types of math exercises (3) test whether the relationship between metacognition and math is causal, by to investigate the effect of stimulating metacognitive skills on math presentations and learning. This research will provide us with important insights into the relationship between metacognition and math performance, math development and learning new math exercises. The studies form an important basis for developing pedagogical interventions. This research will provide us with important insights into the relationship between metacognition and math performance, math development and learning new math exercises. The studies form an important basis for developing pedagogical interventions. This research will provide us with important insights into the relationship between metacognition and math performance, math development and learning new math exercises. The studies form an important basis for developing pedagogical interventions. 
 

Profile

•You have a Master's degree in Psychology, Pedagogical Sciences, Speech Therapy and Audiological Sciences, or relevant related discipline. Or you graduate in these fields in this academic year. Final year students are encouraged to apply.
•You have a strong interest in the neurocognitive development of children.
• You have a strong affinity with experimental developmental psychological research.
• You have excellent statistical knowledge. 
•You have excellent academic command of English, both written and oral.
• You are well organized and can work independently.
• You have good communication skills to work with parents, teachers and schools. 
• You preferably have a good knowledge of Dutch because this project concerns the collection of data from young children.
 
You can apply for this vacancy until June 26. The interviews for this vacancy will preferably take place in the week of 3 July. The decision on this vacancy will be communicated before 11 July 2023.
 
Interested candidates should submit their CV, a letter of motivation and the names of 2 referees via the online application page (see below). During the interview you will be asked to give a short presentation about your own research that you have carried out during your education and a research paper made available in advance in the field of the research project.
 
 

offer

We offer a full-time appointment, initially for a period of one year, but with good performance for a total of 4 years.
This position is an excellent opportunity for starting researchers who wish to sharpen their research skills in the (mathematical) development of children. The collaboration with the Educational Neuroscience Unit of the University of Graz offers opportunities to also gain international research experience.
 

Interest?

More information is available from Prof. Dr. Bert De Smedt, tel.: +32 16 32 57 05, mail: bert.desmedt@kuleuven.be.

You can apply for this vacancy until 26/06/2023 via our
KU Leuven wants to create an environment in which all talents can develop to the maximum, regardless of gender, age, cultural origin, nationality or disability. If you have any questions regarding accessibility or support options, you can contact us at diversity.HR@kuleuven.be.
  • Employment percentage : Full-time
  • Location: Leuven
  • Apply before: June 26, 2023
  • Tags : Pedagogical sciences
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