The Universitat Jaume I's Decision & Memory group in Castelló de la Plana, Spain led by Prof. Raphael Kaplan is recruiting a junior postdoctoral researcher(<2 yrs since completing their PhD) to study how the human brain samples different event details/memories when imagining novel scenarios. The candidate will also test if episodic sampling processes can be optimized for learning interventions. Working with Prof. Kaplan and their team, the candidate will be expected to help collect and analyze behavioral, fMRI, and/or iEEG experimental data that test these questions. In parallel, the empirical results will be used to inform quantitative models investigating the same processes in collaboration with other leading international laboratories.
The postdoctoral position involves training in behavioral/neuroimaging experimental design, behavioral and neuroimaging analysis, computational modeling, machine learning, manuscript preparation, and grant writing within a highly interdisciplinary research environment. Prof. Kaplan has an extensive international record of mentorship where they have incorporated career development opportunities both inside(e.g., fellowship writing, PhD/MSc trainee supervision, teaching) and outside of academia(e.g., big data analysis, clinical translation, public sector, user interface(UX) development) for their trainees.
In exceptional cases, more senior postdoctoral candidates with an extensive CV and publication record studying related questions will be considered for a position.
Required Skills:
-Have a PhD in Experimental Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Engineering. or related field
-Experience analyzing fMRI, intracranial EEG, or model-informed behavioral data.
-Be able to independently carry out research within defined project objectives
-Be capable of critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of new and complex ideas
-Be able to communicate and publish research results effectively to colleagues and broader audiences in English.
-Be able to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary research environments
-Have good programming skills (e.g., Python) and experience with scientific computing tools
Desired skills:
-Recently received their PhD(after January 1st, 2025)
-First author publications in established cognitive science and neuroscience journals.
-Experience designing and publishing memory, learning, or decision making behavioral/neuroimaging research.
-Strong quantitative and statistical background
-Proficiency speaking Spanish and/or Catalan/Valencian
Application details
To apply for the position, interested candidates should send a 1-2 paragraph cover letter explaining why they're suited for the position along with a CV including name and contact info for 3 references to Prof. Kaplan at
kaplan@uji.es by September 15th.
Potential candidates should contact Prof. Kaplan if they have any questions or need further information.
Type of contract/Duration of Contract: Temporary, 2 years(potentially renewable)
Job Status: Full-time, in office
Hours per week: 35
Starting date: Flexible, ideally between December 2026-March 2027
Application deadline: September 15, 2026
Salary: 30,000€-32,000€/year gross
Recent relevant work by our group includes:
Esposito, M., Abdul, L. S., Ghouse, A., Rodríguez Aramendía, M., & Kaplan, R. (2025). Flexible hippocampal representation of abstract boundaries supports memory-guided choice. Nature communications, 16(1), 2377.
Rodríguez Aramendía, M., Esposito, M., & Kaplan, R. (2025). Social knowledge about others is anchored to self-knowledge in the hippocampal formation. PLoS Biology, 23(4), e3003050.
Ghouse, A., & Kaplan, R. (2026). The influence of social content on episodic memory retrieval. Learning & Memory, 33(2-3), a054180
Ghouse, A., & Kaplan, R. (2025). The Relative Contributions of Traits and Contexts on Social Network Learning. Open Mind, 9, 1506–1527.
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Raphael Kaplan, PhD
Associate Professor/Profesor Titular de Universidad(TU)
Departament de Psicologia Bàsica, Clínica i Psicobiologia
Universitat Jaume I