PhD Position in Social Cognition and Neurodegeneration
Listed on 2026-01-20
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Research/Development
Research Scientist, Neurology, Clinical Research, Data Scientist
Psychological Sciences Research Institute
Organisation/Company Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) Department Psychological Sciences Research Institute Research Field Neurosciences » Neuropsychology Psychological sciences » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 15 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38 Offer Starting Date 1 Apr 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join an international research team
specialising in social cognition and neurodegeneration.
Your role
As part of the PhD, you will contribute to the development of innovative markers of social functioning and social vulnerability . You will recruit participants and conduct socio-cognitive and behavioural assessments in patients with various neurodegenerative diseases , as well as in healthy controls, at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc (UCLouvain) and, potentially, at the University Psychiatric Centre KU Leuven. The analyses will examine how neurodegeneration-related changes in brain structure relate to socio-cognitive abilities, behavioural profiles, and their consequences for everyday social life.
This work has strong potential to advance our understanding of how socio-cognitive deficits shape social interactions and affect quality of life. You will prepare publications for leading scientific journals and present your work at international scientific conferences.
The position is based at UCLouvain in Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium), with regular presence required at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc (Brussels/Woluwe) for data collection and at KU Leuven for meetings and, potentially, data collection.
The PhD will be carried out at UCLouvain (Psychological Sciences Research Institute) under the supervision of Professor Dana Samson (UCLouvain),
Professor Jan Van den Stock (KU Leuven), and Dr Pegah Masrori (Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc). The project is embedded in a multinational research consortium, providing rich opportunities for collaboration with teams in France, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Canada, as well as participation in joint training activities.
The Psychological Sciences Research Institute (IPSY) at UCLouvain has a strong international reputation and is ranked 80th worldwide in Psychology in the QS World University Rankings 2025. IPSY offers a dynamic, international, and collaborative research environment, bringing together around 50 permanent academic staff and more than 150 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
About the international consortium
The project is supported by the EU’s largest programme dedicated to research on neurodegenerative diseases. It brings together experts from UCLouvain, KU Leuven, Université de Lille, the IRCCS Camaldoli Research Institute (Milan), Trinity College Dublin, McGill University, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, and the University of Trento.
Where to applyResearch Field Psychological sciences » Other Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field Neurosciences » Neuropsychology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field Medical sciences » Other Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Candidate profile
Master’s degree in Psychological Sciences (120 ECTS) or in (Bio)
Medical Sciences (minimum 120 ECTS), to be completed before the start of the position, with training in neuropsychology and/or neuroscience, and awarded with at least the equivalent of a distinction.
Strong quantitative data analysis skills.
Strong collaborative skills and motivation to work in an international team.
Fluency in French (C1 or higher) and English (B2 or higher) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR); knowledge of Dutch is an asset.
Specific Requirements
Previous experience working with patients with neurodegenerative diseases…
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