1 Doctoral Student position on the project ‘Effects of Physical Activity and Fitness on the Cognitive Prerequisites of Learning’ in Finland | University of Jyväskylä

Applications are invited a PhD studentship in a project addressing the effects of physical activity and fitness on brain structure and function. The positions are open in the Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Research (CIBR), located in the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Department of Psychology.

The newly established research center focuses in the study of “changing brain” to and the main research areas are related to learning and learning difficulties, neural basis of development throughout lifespan and intervention and wellbeing.

Vacant position is related to a new research project ‘Effects of Physical Activity and Fitness on the Cognitive Prerequisites of Learning’, funded by Academy of Finland. University of Jyväskylä is internationally well known for its research in the field of sport biology, and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Research will combine advanced neuroimaging methods to this domain. The project is part of a larger consortium with main sites of research in University of Jyväskylä (CIBR, Department of Biology of Physical Activity) and LIKES (Research Centre for Sport and Health Sciences), Jyväskylä, Finland.

Our national and international collaborative network combines expertise from neuroimaging, signal processing, psychology, cell-biology, animal neurophysiology and epidemiology. The neuroimaging (MRI and MEG measurements) will be done in collaboration with Aalto University, O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory and AMI (Advanced Magnetic Imaging) Centre, Helsinki, Finland. The research team consists altogether of about 20 researchers studying the link between physical activity and learning at three different levels; epidemiological, neuroimaging and neurophysiology/behavioral neuroscience. We offer a truly interdisciplinary environment with well-planned and organized recruitment of subjects utilizing existing large cohort studies in Finland.

Doctoral Student fixed-term position beginning April 1st 2014 until May 31st 2017

The selected Doctoral Student will be assigned to the new research project ‘Effects of Physical Activity and Fitness on the Cognitive Prerequisites of Learning’.

Doctoral Student will focus on MEG, and should have a Master’s degree in a relevant field (i.e. related e.g. to neuroscience, psychology, sport biology, signal processing, engineering etc.). The tasks of a Doctoral Student focus on research concerning doctoral thesis, doctoral studies, assisting teaching tasks and other tasks connected to these tasks.

Doctoral Student must have a Master’s degree and permission for post-graduate studies in the University of Jyväskylä. If a doctoral student does not have permission for post-graduate studies in the University of Jyväskylä and in the Department Psychology, the Dean may grant a special permission outside application periods.

The applicant’s merits are assessed on the basis of the quality of Master’s level studies and thesis, previous experience with experimental research, motivation and research interests. Familiarity with signal processing environments (e.g. MATLAB, PYTHON) is appreciated. Experience in MEG and/or EEG is an asset, but not necessary.

Members of the teaching and research personnel in the University of Jyväskylä are obliged, within their respective job descriptions and work plan, to conduct and supervise scientific research, follow the development in their respective disciplines, examine theses and dissertations, teach and enhance teaching practices, provide study counselling, carry out relevant examinations, participate to student selection as well as attend to task derived from membership in the University’s administrative bodies and to other tasks counted as part of their work or assigned to them. In addition, they are to provide the necessary accounts concerning teaching, counselling and supervision, publications and scientific activities, as well as the examinations they have arranged.

University teaching and research positions require a full command of the teaching language, Finnish. Good English language skills and ability to teach in English is regarded as a merit. When considered appropriate, the university can grant exemption from the language proficiency requirements. In the project Effects of Physical Activity and Fitness on the Cognitive Prerequisites of Learning the working languages are English and Finnish.

Doctoral students job-specific salary component is based on the job demands level 1-4 according to the salary system concerning teaching and research personnel at universities (1.767,97 €/month – 2..432,20 €/month). In addition, a personal performance-based salary component amounting to the maximum of 46,3% of the job-specific salary component is also paid.