Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at Maastricht University, Netherlands (2026)
The position combines research and teaching, with an approximately 50/50 division between research and education, and provides a pathway toward a permanent academic position based on mutual satisfaction.
Position Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience |
| University | Maastricht University |
| Faculty | Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN) |
| Department | Cognitive Neuroscience |
| Location | Maastricht, Netherlands |
| Contract | 12-month contract with prospect of a permanent position |
| Workload | 1.0 FTE / 38 hours per week |
| Salary | €4,925–€6,682 gross/month |
| Holiday Allowance | 8% |
| Year-End Bonus | 8.3% |
| Vacation | 29 days + 4 additional days |
| Application Deadline | 4 September 2026 |
| Expected Interviews | October 2026 |
About the Position
The Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (DCN) section at Maastricht University investigates the behavioural and neural mechanisms underlying cognitive, language, socio-emotional, and sensorimotor development from infancy through adulthood.
The research also examines how developmental trajectories contribute to individual differences in:
- Learning
- Behaviour
- Motivation
- Mental health
- Socio-emotional functioning
The successful candidate will join the Cognitive Neuroscience Department at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. The department includes approximately 50 permanent staff members and 60 temporary researchers, including PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers.
The research environment is highly interdisciplinary and combines neuroscience, psychology, computational methods, behavioural science, education and healthcare.
Research Focus
The successful candidate will develop research at the intersection of:
- Self-regulated learning
- Socio-emotional development
- Motivation
- Educational neuroscience
- Neurodevelopmental trajectories
- Individual differences
- Computational and statistical modelling
A major goal is to understand and model how children's brains and behaviour develop over time and how these differences can be translated into practical applications.
Potential applications include adaptive digital educational tools, early identification of learning difficulties and improved approaches to education and child healthcare.
Research Methods and Infrastructure
Maastricht University's Cognitive Neuroscience Department provides access to a broad range of advanced research methods, including:
- EEG
- ECoG
- fMRI
- fNIRS
- Eye-tracking
- Motion capture
- Non-invasive brain stimulation
- Neurofeedback
- Computational modelling
- Advanced behavioural measurement
This makes the position particularly attractive to researchers who want to combine developmental neuroscience with quantitative and computational approaches.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
Conduct Research
Develop an independent research programme in educational and developmental cognitive neuroscience, particularly around self-regulated learning, socio-emotional development and motivation.
Analyse Brain and Behavioural Data
Apply advanced statistical and computational methods to longitudinal datasets involving brain activity and behaviour.
Potential approaches mentioned in the vacancy include:
Growth curve modelling
Machine learning
Large language models
Other computational modelling approaches
Develop Research Funding
Generate new research ideas and translate them into competitive grant proposals, both independently and collaboratively.
Develop Educational Applications
Work toward translating neuroscience findings into innovative educational applications and tools.
Collaborate Across Disciplines
The position involves collaboration with researchers as well as professionals working in:
Education
Child mental healthcare
Game design
Teach
Approximately half of the position will involve teaching.
Teaching will primarily take place within the Developmental Psychology Master's programme, including supervision of master's research projects.
Supervise Students
The Assistant Professor will supervise:
Bachelor's students
Master's students
PhD candidates
Candidate Profile
Maastricht University is looking for an ambitious developmental cognitive neuroscientist who can establish an independent research direction while contributing actively to the collaborative DCN research environment.
Applicants should have:
A PhD in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience or a related discipline.
Postdoctoral research experience.
Strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
Experience with developmental cognitive neuroscience methods.
An interest in translating neuroscience research into educational applications.
Experience or affinity with advanced statistical analysis or computational modelling.
Excellent spoken and written English.
Teaching experience and enthusiasm for university education.
Relevant backgrounds may include:
Cognitive Psychology
Computational Neuroscience
Developmental Science
Neuropsychology
Neuroscience
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
Additional Advantage: Dutch Language
Excellent English communication skills are required.
Basic Dutch language skills are considered an advantage. Candidates who do not currently speak Dutch but are willing to learn may also be considered.
Teaching Responsibilities
Teaching represents approximately 50% of the position, making this role different from a research-only academic position.
The successful candidate will mainly contribute to the Developmental Psychology Master's programme and supervise master's thesis projects.
Candidates applying should therefore have genuine teaching experience rather than treating teaching as a minor part of their application.
Salary and Employment Conditions
The position offers a gross monthly salary of:
€4,925 to €6,682 per month
This is based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week.
Additional benefits include:
8% holiday allowance
8.3% year-end bonus
29 vacation days
4 additional days off
Possibility of accruing up to 12 additional days through compensation hours
Flexible working hours
Home-office allowance
Possibility to work from home
ABP pension scheme
Company fitness schemes
Access to university sports facilities
The initial appointment is for 12 months at 1.0 FTE, with the prospect of a permanent contract based on mutual satisfaction.
Research and Career Development
The position provides substantial freedom to shape an independent academic research agenda.
The successful candidate will have opportunities to:
- Establish a research programme.
- Develop collaborative projects.
- Apply for competitive research funding.
- Publish research papers.
- Develop educational applications.
- Supervise students.
- Collaborate internationally.
- Build partnerships with education and healthcare professionals.
This makes the vacancy particularly relevant to researchers who want to move beyond a postdoctoral role toward an independent academic career.
About the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience
The Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience at Maastricht University focuses on understanding the human brain and behaviour.
Its research integrates perspectives from psychology, neuroscience and related disciplines while addressing questions relevant to society.
The university has approximately:
- 23,300 students
- 5,400 employees
- 6 faculties
- More than 70 research institutes
- 5 regional locations
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit:
Motivation letter
Curriculum vitae
Contact details for two references
Applications must be submitted through Maastricht University's online recruitment system.
Application Deadline
4 September 2026
Shortlisted candidates are expected to be invited for one or two interviews in October 2026.
Who Should Apply?
This position is best suited to researchers who already have a strong foundation in developmental cognitive neuroscience and want to establish an independent academic profile.
Particularly suitable candidates may have experience in:
- Developmental neuroscience
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Developmental psychology
- Educational neuroscience
- Neuropsychology
- Computational neuroscience
- Longitudinal developmental research
- Brain-behaviour modelling
- Machine learning
- Advanced statistical modelling
Candidates should also be comfortable with teaching and student supervision because the role has a significant educational component.
Important Consideration for Applicants
The position is not simply a research postdoc with an Assistant Professor title.
The 50/50 research-teaching structure means that applicants need to demonstrate both:
Research independence + teaching competence.
A strong publication record without evidence of teaching experience could therefore be a weakness in an application.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should prepare their motivation letter, CV and details of two referees and submit the application through the official Maastricht University vacancy system.
APPLY HERE: Official Job Application Portal
For position-related questions, candidates can contact Milene Bonte at:
m.bonte@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Application deadline: 4 September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the position?
It is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor position in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
2. What is the research focus?
The position focuses on developmental cognitive neuroscience, particularly the intersection of self-regulated learning, socio-emotional development, motivation and educational neuroscience.
3. Is this a tenure-track position?
Yes. The position is advertised as tenure-track and starts with a 12-month contract, with the prospect of a permanent contract based on mutual satisfaction.
4. What is the salary?
The gross monthly salary is €4,925–€6,682, based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week.
5. Does the salary include additional benefits?
In addition to salary, the position includes an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, along with vacation days, pension and other employment benefits.
6. What percentage of the position is teaching?
The position has an approximately 50/50 teaching and research workload.
7. Where will the teaching take place?
Teaching will mainly be within the Developmental Psychology Master's programme, including supervision of master's thesis research projects.
8. What PhD backgrounds are accepted?
The vacancy specifically mentions Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience and related areas including Cognitive Psychology, Computational Neuroscience, Developmental Science, Neuropsychology and Neuroscience.
9. Is postdoctoral experience required?
Yes. The vacancy asks for a PhD and postdoctoral experience in developmental cognitive neuroscience or a related field.
10. Is computational modelling experience required?
The vacancy asks for an affinity with advanced statistical analysis or computational modelling. Examples include growth curve modelling, machine learning and large language models.
11. Is Dutch required?
Excellent English is required. Basic Dutch is considered an advantage, and willingness to learn Dutch is also viewed positively.
12. What application documents are required?
Applicants need to submit:
Motivation letter
CV
Contact details of two references
13. When is the application deadline?
The deadline is 4 September 2026.
14. When will interviews take place?
Selected candidates are expected to be interviewed in October 2026.
15. Who can applicants contact for more information?
Questions about the position can be directed to Milene Bonte at m.bonte@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Final Takeaway
The Maastricht University Assistant Professor vacancy is a strong opportunity for an established developmental cognitive neuroscientist who wants to transition into an independent academic career.
The combination of developmental neuroscience, educational applications, computational modelling, interdisciplinary collaboration and a tenure-track pathway makes it particularly relevant to researchers interested in connecting brain development with learning, behaviour and child wellbeing.
However, applicants should not underestimate the teaching requirement: with approximately 50% of the position dedicated to teaching, demonstrated teaching experience and enthusiasm for education will be important components of a competitive application.
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