Postdoctoral Researcher in Exercise Neuroscience and EEG – The Fit Brain Project

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

How does physical exercise change the brain — and can EEG help us personalize exercise to maximize its cognitive and emotional benefits?

The Psychophysiology Laboratory at the Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in the NCN-funded project “The Fit Brain: A Novel Approach to Understanding and Maximizing the Mental Benefits of Exercise”.

The project investigates the mechanisms through which physical exercise influences brain functioning, cognitive processes, and psychological well-being. A central goal is to develop and test a novel approach to individualizing physical exercise based on indices of brain activity.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research team working at the intersection of psychology, cognitive neuroscience, psychophysiology, EEG methodology, and exercise science. The project will involve EEG recordings before, during, and after physical exercise, cognitive and emotional tasks, psychophysiological measurements, and advanced analysis of experimental and longitudinal data.

The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to study planning and coordination, EEG data acquisition and analysis, development of preprocessing and analysis pipelines, statistical modelling, preparation of scientific publications, conference presentations, and scientific support of junior team members.

This is an excellent opportunity for a researcher interested in advanced EEG analysis, brain–body interactions, and the cognitive and emotional benefits of physical activity.

Where to apply

E-mail: tomasz.ligeza@uj.edu.pl

Requirements

Research Field:

• Psychological sciences » Psychology — PhD or equivalent
• Neurosciences » Neuropsychology — PhD or equivalent
• Medical sciences » Health sciences — PhD or equivalent
• Engineering » Biomedical engineering — PhD or equivalent
• Other — PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Candidates must hold a doctoral degree or equivalent. A PhD specifically in psychology is not required. We welcome candidates with a background in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive science, biomedical engineering, data science, biostatistics, computer science, physical culture sciences, sport and exercise science, or a related discipline.

We are looking for a motivated researcher with experience in EEG, neurophysiological, psychophysiological, or related data analysis; good programming or analytical skills in MATLAB, Python, R, or similar; and solid knowledge of statistical methods used in experimental, psychophysiological, or intervention studies.

The position is particularly suitable for candidates who would like to further develop expertise in advanced EEG analysis and statistical modelling, including EEG connectivity, aperiodic EEG activity, source analysis, mixed-effects models, multivariate analyses, or predictive modelling.

The candidate should have very good spoken and written English, be ready to work on-site in Kraków, and be willing to collaborate in an interdisciplinary team combining psychology, neuroscience, psychophysiology, and exercise physiology.

Additional assets include experience in programming experimental procedures, for example in PsychoPy; knowledge of Bayesian statistics, machine learning, network analyses, or advanced EEG methods; experience in research on physical activity, exercise physiology, sport sciences, cognition, or emotion; and experience in supervising students or junior team members.

Specific Requirements

The selection procedure is open to candidates who meet the requirements set out in Articles 113 and 116(2)(3) of the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science in Poland, and the eligibility criteria specified in §165 of the Statute of the Jagiellonian University.

Candidates must:

• hold at least a doctoral degree;
• have relevant scientific achievements;
• take an active part in scientific life.

Candidates must also meet the National Science Centre Poland (NCN) requirements for this type of position, including those concerning:

• the absence of a PhD supervisor–student relationship with the Principal Investigator;
• institutional or international mobility after obtaining the PhD degree (only if graduated at Jagiellonian University);
• no employment contract with another employer during the period of receiving remuneration in the project.

Languages: ENGLISH

Level: Excellent

Additional Information

Benefits

Remuneration and benefits

The position offers basic remuneration in the range of PLN 9,471–11,555 gross per month.

In addition, the employee may be entitled to:

• a seniority allowance depending on length of service (3–20%);
• jubilee awards for long-term service, in accordance with the Regulation for remuneration of employees of the Jagiellonian University;
• task-based and periodic allowances, as well as discretionary awards, upon meeting the conditions set out in the Regulation for remuneration of employees of the Jagiellonian University;
• additional annual remuneration, the so-called “thirteenth salary”, after meeting the conditions specified in the relevant regulations.

Additional benefits are available through the Institutional Social Benefits Fund, depending on the income per family member and in accordance with the Regulations for Granting Benefits from the Company Social Benefits Fund of the Jagiellonian University. These may include:

• co-financing of summer holidays (PLN 1,050–1,550 gross) and winter holidays (PLN 700–900 gross);
• co-financing for children’s organised holidays (PLN 900–1,400 gross), or co-financing of individually purchased summer camps, sports camps, winter camps, medical holidays, or rehabilitation stays (50–90%, with the maximum amount eligible for co-financing being PLN 2,500 gross) per child;
• a cash equivalent for a special occasional package of sweets in the amount of PLN 100–300 gross per child;
• co-financing of childcare in nurseries, kindergartens, and other forms of preschool education, as well as care provided by a daily guardian or nanny (PLN 250–400 gross).

We also offer:

• stable employment based on an employment contract at a renowned university;
• work in an interdisciplinary academic environment;
• scientific support and opportunities for professional development;
• access to research infrastructure;
• benefits such as a Multisport card, sports activities, medical packages, group insurance, and additional social benefits, according to Jagiellonian University regulations.

Eligibility criteria

Requirements necessary for employment, indicated in order of priority:

1. A doctoral degree or equivalent in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive science, biomedical engineering, data science, biostatistics, computer science, physical culture sciences, sport and exercise science, or a related discipline. A PhD specifically in psychology is not required.
2. Documented experience in the analysis of EEG, neurophysiological, or psychophysiological data.
3. Good or very good knowledge of at least one programming or analytical environment, such as MATLAB, Python, R, or similar.
4. Good knowledge of statistical methods and experience in the analysis of experimental, psychophysiological, or intervention data.
5. Experience with at least one type of EEG analysis, such as ERP analysis, frequency-domain analysis, or time-frequency analysis.
6. Willingness to develop expertise in more advanced EEG analyses and statistical modelling, including analyses planned in the project, such as EEG connectivity analysis, aperiodic EEG activity analysis, source analysis, mixed-effects models, multivariate analyses, or predictive modelling.
7. Scientific achievements appropriate to the candidate’s career stage, including research publications, preferably involving EEG, psychophysiology, neuroimaging, advanced data analysis, quantitative methods, or exercise science.
8. Very good command of spoken and written English, enabling the preparation of scientific publications and communication within an international research team.
9. Readiness to work on-site in Kraków and to participate in the implementation of experimental studies, including studies using EEG and exercise-related procedures.
10. Ability to work independently, good organizational skills, and readiness to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team, including researchers from psychology, neuroscience, and exercise physiology.

Additional assets:

• experience in programming experimental procedures, for example in PsychoPy;
• knowledge of advanced EEG methods, Bayesian statistics, machine learning, or network analyses;
• experience in research on physical activity, exercise physiology, sport sciences, cognition, or emotion;
• experience in supervising students or junior team members.

Applicants should make sure that their application documents clearly demonstrate how they meet the above criteria. In line with the official Jagiellonian University announcement, candidates are asked to include a description of how they meet the additional qualification criteria, preferably in the form of a table listing each criterion, relevant experience or competencies, and supporting documents or materials.

Selection process

The first stage of the selection procedure is the formal assessment of the submitted application documents. Applications that meet all formal requirements will be subject to substantive assessment.

Selected candidates may be invited to an interview, conducted either in person or online, after agreeing on the date with the candidate. During the interview, the candidate’s scientific background, methodological competencies, motivation, fit with the project, independence, organizational skills, and ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary team may be assessed.

Candidates have the right to appeal against a negative assessment by the selection board within 7 days of receiving information about the results of the assessment.

The selection procedure is conducted in accordance with the Policy of Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment Process at the Jagiellonian University.

In the selection procedure, the Jagiellonian University follows the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

The selection procedure does not provide for any preferences or decisions that differentiate between candidates on the basis of gender. The evaluation process is conducted in accordance with the principles of equal treatment and gender neutrality.

Jagiellonian University has an internal procedure for reporting violations of the law and protecting persons making such reports, in accordance with applicable regulations.

Please note that Jagiellonian University does not provide housing.

Important dates:

• Application deadline: 29 November 2026
• Expected date of selection procedure settlement: 31 December 2026

Application procedure and required documents

Applications should be submitted by e-mail to: tomasz.ligeza@uj.edu.pl

E-mail subject: FitBrain: post-doc application

Candidates should submit the following documents:

1. CV/resume;
2. personal questionnaire completed by the candidate;
3. copy of the doctoral diploma or a diploma confirming the candidate’s habilitation degree, if applicable;
4. information on the candidate’s scientific, teaching, and organisational achievements;
5. declaration confirming that Jagiellonian University will be the candidate’s primary place of work, should they be selected in the selection procedure;
6. statement under Article 113 of the Law on Higher Education and Science;
7. statement acknowledging and accepting the rules and regulations concerning intellectual property management and commercialisation in force at Jagiellonian University;
8. cover letter describing the candidate’s research interests and explaining how their competencies fit the project;
9. description of how the candidate meets the additional qualification criteria specified in the announcement, prepared in the order corresponding to those criteria, preferably in the form of a table including: the criterion, a brief description of the candidate’s relevant experience or competencies, and an indication of documents or materials confirming the given criterion;
10. documents or materials confirming the competencies indicated in the additional qualification criteria, such as selected publications, preprints, technical reports, certificates of completed courses or training, code samples, links to repositories, or descriptions of completed analytical pipelines or experimental procedures;
11. letters of reference are welcome.

Declaration forms for points 5–7 and the personal questionnaire template for point 2 can be obtained here: https://cso.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/dokumkandyd

Additional comments

Short project description: https://projekty.ncn.gov.pl/opisy/626206-en.pdf

For additional questions, please contact the Principal Investigator: tomasz.ligeza@uj.edu.pl

Website for additional job details: https://praca.bip.uj.edu.pl/documents/145868730/161046652/Information%2Bon%2Bselection%2Bprocedure%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bposition_assistant%2Bprofessor_research%2Bstaff_W.Filozoficzny_180_PI_64744_tsl.pdf/12e73bc9-515d-415d-8740-3fd9a36b57e8?version=1.0

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Jagiellonian University, Institute of Psychology

Country: Poland

State/Province: Malopolska

City: Kraków

Postal Code: 30-060

Street: Ingardena 6

Contact

State/Province: malopolska

City: Krakow

Website: http://www.psychologia.uj.edu.pl

Street: Ingardena 6

Postal Code: 30-060

E-Mail: tomasz.ligeza@uj.edu