PhD position: The effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on cognitive functions

(1.0 fte, 4 years)

Can noninvasive electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve improve our memory, attention and other cognitive functions?

What you will do

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a non-invasive technique in which the vagus nerve is gently stimulated electrically through the skin, either at the ear or the neck. In recent years, interest in this method has grown rapidly among scientists, healthcare professionals and commercial companies. Some manufacturers are even marketing tVNS devices directly to consumers, claiming benefits such as reduced stress and improved concentration and memory. However, many of the promises currently being made are not yet supported by robust scientific evidence. The aim of this project is to investigate thoroughly whether tVNS genuinely improves cognitive functions.

For detailed project information, see: https://rb.gy/wmiqqk (project WP1)

Your responsibilities involve:

• Carrying out a thorough analysis of existing literature on tVNS and cognitive functions
• Designing and carrying out new experiments to examine whether tVNS enhances cognitive functions, focusing in particular on perception, working memory and cognitive control in younger and older (70-80 years) adults
• Performing advanced data analyses, including computational modelling of behavioural data
• Reporting results in scientific articles in international journals, culminating in a PhD dissertation within 4 years
• Presenting the work at national and international scientific conferences
• Supervising BSc and MSc thesis projects

This is a four-year position with a preferred starting date of 1 January 2027. It is funded by a Dutch Research Council (NWO) grant awarded to Sander Nieuwenhuis (Leiden University). The team will consist of Sander Nieuwenhuis, a postdoctoral researcher, the PhD student and a research assistant. If time permits, the PhD student will get the opportunity to contribute to the postdoc’s experiments combining tVNS with pupillometry, EEG and fMRI.

Where you will work

What you bring

• A completed or upcoming research master's degree in cognitive neurocience or related field
• Strong analytic, research, and organisational skills
• Experience with programming (e.g., Python, Matlab or R)
• Experience or at least affinity with computational modelling
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Proficiency in Dutch is highly preferred, as you will be interacting with older adults
• Collaborative mindset, openness to learning new skills and willingness to share knowledge
• Affinity with open science practices (e.g. data and code sharing)

What we offer

We also offer:

• An employment contract for 38 hours per week as a PhD candidate, initially for a period of 1 year, with the possibility of extension for 3 years after a positive evaluation. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary between €3059 - €3881 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (PhD student);
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone.

What we value

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.

Want to apply or find out more?

• In choosing between candidates, in case of equal suitability, preference will be given to internal candidates, women, the occupationally disabled and employees with a migration background.
• You live and are officially registered as resident in The Netherlands or are willing to relocate upon starting the position.
• A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) may be part of the selection procedure.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this. #LI-Hybrid