The University of Groningen is seeking candidates for PhD positions in Neurolinguistics to work on a project regarding language testing awake in brain surgery
In this research, candidates will develop two new tasks (object/action association, associative judgment) to assess language comprehension in-depth (taxonomic/thematic relations), compare the new tasks against object naming between healthy people and people with brain tumors and correlate all the tasks with communication abilities. They will use neuroimaging methods before and during surgery (navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Direct Electrical Stimulation) and also computational methods for task-design and to detect mild language problems (word network metrics).
This research is timely because people with brain tumors have language impairments that escape current testing protocols. The methods are a unique opportunity to investigate language comprehension directly in the brain, and the results update a field that focuses on language production and that can benefit from advances in neuro- and computational linguistics.
Tasks
- Develop and validate language comprehension tasks in German.
- Administer language tasks with navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nTMS).
- Collect intraoperative language data during awake brain tumor surgery.
- Analyze data, write academic papers, and present at conference (e.g., 1-2 per year).
- Complete the PhD in the specified timeframe (4 years).
Salary
- A salary of € 2.901 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3.707 gross per month in the final year, based on a full-time position.
- A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income.
- An 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance.
Job Requirements
- A Research Master’s or Master’s degree in cognitive science or related (e.g., neurolinguistics, speech therapy, psychology).
- In the absence of a Master’s degree, evidence of completion is needed (e.g., signed letter by a study advisor and/or thesis supervisor indicating that the thesis will be handed in on time).
- Excellent academic writing skills in English.
- Capacity to develop language tests and assess language capacities in German.
- Medium to advanced statistical skills (e.g., group and single case statistics, correlations).
Application Process
Applications should be made in English and contain the following materials:
- A short statement (ca. 1,000 words), explaining how the candidate is suitable to complete a project on language testing in awake brain surgery (e.g., what skills have been acquired and how, and which skills would need to be acquired).
- A curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum).
- Copies of MA/MSc diploma and list of grades (if not finished, submit current grades).
- Copy of MA/MSc thesis (if available).
- Copy of class assignment or published article/chapter/poster that represents their work.
- Contact details of two academic referees.
To apply for the PhD positions in Neurolinguistics, click here
Deadline: April 30, 2025
For more information on the PhD positions in Neurolinguistics, visit the official site
