
The Learning and Cognitive Control Laboratory at Ghent University (Belgium) is recruiting two highly motivated postdoctoral fellows to apply a control-theoretic approach to investigate the neurocognitive mechanisms of cognitive effort ( https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000467 ). The positions are funded by a European Research Council Advanced Grant ( https://www.ugent.be/en/news-events/six-erc-advanced-grants.htm ), are for 3 years with an opportunity to renew, and are available to start January 2026. Position 1: The successful candidate will apply linear control theory to investigate the energy demands of existing artificial neural network models of working memory, task switching, and brain computer interface tasks. A Ph.D. and background in computational modeling, engineering or a related discipline is required; expertise with linear control theory and dynamical systems theory are preferred but not necessary. Position 2: The successful candidate will train recurrent neural networks to learn the generative structure of existing behavioral, EEG and MEG data sets (dynamical system reconstruction), and apply linear control theory to investigate the energy demands of the resulting network architectures. A Ph.D. and background in computational modeling, engineering or a related discipline is required; expertise with linear control theory and dynamical systems theory are preferred but not necessary. Interested candidates should email their CV, a statement of research interests, and have three letters of reference forwarded to Clay Holroyd at clay.holroyd@ugent.be. Inquiries may be directed to him at this email address. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.