[Face-research-list] Two funded PhD positions in Cognitive Psychology (University of Liège, Belgium)

[Christel]

Two funded PhD positions are available at the Psychology and Neuroscience
of Cognition (PsyNCog) research unit
<https://www.psyncog.uliege.be/cms/c_5016065/en/about> (University of
Liège, Belgium), under the supervision of Dr. Christel Devue (Cognitive
Psychology research group). We are seeking two highly motivated candidates
to work on two different research projects.



*Position 1 – A cost-efficient mechanism of face learning - Interactions
between stability in appearance and learning conditions (3 years funding)*

The aim of the project is to test a new integrative theory of human face
learning (introduced in a recent paper here
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010027723002032?via%3Dihub>)
that explains how recognition performance changes as familiarity with faces
develops. We hypothesise that the relative stability of a given face’s
appearance interact with learning demands to determine the level of details
that are stored in memory over time and the quality of facial
representations. In that framework, recognition errors are viewed as the
flip side of an otherwise efficient and economical mechanism.

This theory will be tested with (online) behavioural and eye-tracking
experiments that will track the development of facial representations. A
new understanding of human face learning will help address limits of facial
recognition technologies and contribute to the improvement of the treatment
of people with debilitating face recognition difficulties.



*Position 2 -* *Spatio-temporal compression in memory for real-world events
(4 years funding)*

Most of the current knowledge on episodic memory comes from laboratory
studies in which participants memorize stimuli under artificial conditions.
Yet, a new line of research suggests that information processing can
manifest in dramatically different ways in the lab and in the real world.
Here, we aim to determine how real-life events, and people and objects that
populate these events, are represented parsimoniously to deal with storage
limitations inherent to the human cognitive system. More specifically, we
will investigate how the complexity of real-world events is summarized and
compressed in episodic memory along the two crucial dimensions of space and
time.

This question will be examined using a novel experimental paradigm that
leverages information gathered by wearable camera technology and mobile
eye-tracking. This project is part of a broader project in collaboration
with Dr. Arnaud D’Argembeau and will imply to collaborate with another PhD
student. The candidate will focus on the spatial aspects and on person
recognition (including face processing).



*Profile*

We are seeking two highly motivated candidates with:

§  A Master's degree in Experimental/cognitive psychology, cognitive
neuroscience or equivalent.

§  A strong affinity with or interest in episodic memory and/or face
processing.

§  Excellent academic records.

§  Strong research skills including experimental designs and statistical
analyses

§  Experience with experiment programming software (e.g. OpenSesame,
E-prime, PsychoPy).

§  Coding skills (e.g., R, Matlab, or Python).

§  Excellent writing and oral communication skills.

§  A good command of English.

§  Organisational and time management skills.

§  Enthusiasm, self-motivation, team spirit and benevolence.



§  Experience with eye-tracking is a plus.

§  Experience with image and/or video editing software is a plus.

§  A command of or willingness to learn French is a plus for Position #2.



*Environment*

The Psychology and Neuroscience of Cognition (PsyNCog) research unit
<https://www.psyncog.uliege.be/cms/c_10112686/en/core-members> is
recognized internationally for its research on human memory. It includes
several research groups that investigate different aspects of memory and
perception, creating a dynamic research environment. The Psychology
department is located on a wooded campus (Sart Tilman
<https://www.campus.uliege.be/cms/c_9038317/en/liege-sart-tilman>) about 15
minutes’ drive from the centre of Liège and well connected via public
transports.



*Procedure*

To apply, please send the following to cdevue at uliege.be with email subject
“Application for PhD position #1 – Face learning” or “Application for PhD
position #2 – Spatio-temporal compression”:

§  A cover letter detailing your background and motivations.

§  A curriculum vitae, including a link to a copy of your master thesis and
a list of research projects in which you were involved, with a brief
description of your contribution.

§  Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees.

§  Contact details of at least two academic references who agreed to be
contacted.



Applications will be accepted immediately and candidates will be considered
until the positions are filled. Selected candidates will be invited for an
interview online. Please contact Christel Devue (cdevue at uliege.be) for more
information or informal inquiries.


*Expected starting date: *as soon as possible (negotiable but no later than
December 2023).
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