We are looking for a motivated PhD student to join our project "Social Cognition In Silico and In Vivo" (SCIVIS), with proficiency in Dutch of at least B2 level. The research is embedded in a vibrant and interdisciplinary research network. The Center Neuropsychiatry at KU Leuven (Belgium) operates at the crossroads of neurology, psychiatry, and cognitive neuroscience. Through an integrated, interdisciplinary approach, we investigate how brain networks support behavior, emotions, and social interaction, both in neurotypical individuals and in people with neuropsychiatric conditions. The project is conducted in close collaboration with the Research Unit Brain & Cognition at KU Leuven, known for its expertise in experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience, and the AI Lab of VUB university, Brussels, a leading center in artificial intelligence research. Together, these partners bring complementary strengths to the study of social cognition, linking brain, behavior, and computation. As part of the SCIVIS project, we are looking for a PhD candidate to investigate the neural underpinnings of social cognition using functional brain imaging (fMRI/fNIRS). This cutting-edge initiative bridges neuroscience and artificial intelligence to advance our understanding of social cognition in both neurotypical individuals and those with atypical development, with a particular focus on autism and frontotemporal dementia. The position offers the opportunity to design and carry out behavioral and neuroimaging experiments, and to collaborate closely with computational scientists and experimental psychologists. You will join a dynamic research team and contribute to high-impact science at the interface of neuroscience and AI, with real potential to advance our understanding of the social brain. As a PhD student, you will contribute mostly to the in vivo research package, including: Designing and conducting behavioral and neuroimaging experiments (fMRI and fNIRS) to explore social cognitive functions. Collecting and analyzing imaging data to investigate the brain mechanisms underlying social cognition. Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team and integrating findings with computational modeling efforts. Preparing publications for leading scientific journals and presenting at international conferences.

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