Postdoctoral researcher

Brno, Czechia

We are seeking postdoctoral candidates with background in social psychology, cross-cultural psychology, cognitive science, or social neuroscience to join a highly interdisciplinary project on the computational model of religious decision-making. The Computing Religious Devotion project (CREDO; see https://www.levyna.cz/en/about-us/research/credo-project) is a five-year project (2024-2028) funded by the Czech Science Foundation and is based at Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic).

The aim of the CREDO project is to develop a computational model of moral decision-making. In this model, religious belief, forged through religious practice, forms strong priors in the mind. When the mind simulates possible actions during decision-making, religious actions become readily available and likely selected due to their high value. To empirically develop the model, the CREDO project will determine how religious belief affects the strength of religious priors during normative decision-making in various laboratory and field studies. Moreover, in a large-scale cross-cultural study, the project will establish how beliefs and practices of different religious traditions affect cognitive computations during normative decisions. The goal of the CREDO project is to produce one of a kind, comprehensive model of how religions shape the mind.

The successful candidate will lead experimental testing of the predictions from the computational model of religious decision-making in cooperation with the Principal Investigator, Dr. Martin Lang and another postdoctoral researcher with strong formal modelling skills. Specifically, the successful candidate will design experiments probing cognitive processes during decision-making in moral dilemmas and determine how religious priors affect such decision-making. They will work in a fully equipped lab (EEG, fNIRS, BIOPAC) and at a field site in Mauritius. The candidate will be given significant responsibility and autonomy while also benefiting from the mentorship of the PI, playing a crucial role in forming the CREDO project as well as future research areas for the whole lab.

Responsibilities:

Collaborating with the project team (PI, 2 postdocs, 2 Phd students) to design and execute laboratory and field studies.
Designing experimental studies testing the computational model of religious decision-making.
Data analysis
Writing research articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Presenting findings at conferences and research seminars.
Participation in the transfer of research, development, and innovation results into teaching in Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programmes.

Necessary qualifications:

PhD (or approaching PhD) in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience or a related field
Competence in designing and executing behavioural/neuroscientific experiments
Fluent in statistical code in either R, Python, or Matlab
English language (B2 or higher)
At least one first-author publication (pre-prints are eligible)
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a research team

Other qualifications we look for (but are not necessary):

Previous work on social cognition, decision-making, moral psychology and related topics.
Competence in formal modelling of cognitive processes
Experience with EEG, fNIRS or fMRI
Experience with open science practices (pre-registration, registered report, open code)

We offer:

Competitive salary.
Academic growth in a stimulating research environment.
Travel money.
Leading high-profile publications.
Friendly and informal working environment.
Possibility to co-supervise PhD students.

Working environment

employment in a prestigious institution that received the international HR Excellence in Research Award
working in a dynamic international and interdisciplinary environment
convenient location of the faculty in the city centre

Employee benefits

8 weeks of paid vacation per year, flexible working hours with the possibility to work partly from home for a better work-life balance, meal allowance in the salary or for meals in canteens, pension insurance contribution or nursery school/playgroup allowance, selected vaccinations free of charge, favorable mobile tariffs Vodafone, Multisport card, sports lessons organized by the Faculty of Sports Studies, the possibility to place your child in the nursery school Elánek near the faculty.

Training and Development

Opportunities for training and personal development, e.g., language and other courses provided by MU, use of MU libraries, use of placements and mobilities abroad, participation in conferences, etc.

How to Apply

Please send your application via the electronic application link by 12. 4. 2024 (please use the link in the Electronic Application section below) and please attach all required documents.

The following documents are required as a part of your application:

Maximum one-page motivation letter documenting your fit for the position
CV including a summary of work experience, publication activity, and involvement in research projects
One representative published work (pre-prints are eligible)
Copies of proof of education
Recommendation letter from previous supervisor/mentor

Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation of acceptance to your e-mail address. After the e-application deadline, you will receive information about the next steps.

If you are unsure, please contact the FF MU Personnel Office: Mgr. Silvie Rampouchová, e-mail: [email protected]

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection criteria:

submitting all required documents in the e-application
compliance of the candidate's profile with the requirements for the job as stated above

Suitable candidates will be invited to a personal interview, which may also take the form of a videoconference.

Selection procedures rules at the Faculty of Arts of MU can be found on our careers page here.

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you!

https://www.muni.cz/en/about-us/careers/vacancies/77486

01/03/2024

12/04/2024

00420549494763

[email protected]