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PhD in Adult Development of Human Movement Control at K.U.Leuven
Sensorimotor control, aging and expertise
The Center for Developmental Psychology (CDP) at K. U. Leuven, Belgium has
a vacancy for a full-time PhD position to conduct research with young and
older adults on action control. This position involves 10% of teaching.
The research group consists of a multidisciplinary team involved in the
behavioral and neural study of age-differences in movement control and
neuroplasticity.
Focus of the vacancy
The project focuses on the way individuals adapt their cognitive and
sensorimotor performances to age-related changes during adulthood and
older age. Such adaptations comprise the development of everyday cognitive-
motor functions (e.g. maintaining postural stability) as well as the
acquisition and maintenance of real-life skills or professional expertise
(e.g. becoming a concert pianist and staying active at older ages). We use
behavioral and neuropsychological paradigms to study the mechanisms
underlying performance in different age groups, and in individuals who
have developed high levels of skill in specific domains.
Specifically, in this project a multidisciplinary research strategy is
implemented, consisting of the application of psychological test batteries
to screen participants on cognitive and motor abilities, and the use of
kinetic, kinematic and neurophysiological research techniques to study the
neural correlates of behavior. The laboratory comprises a recently
acquired Neurocom balance system, with AMTI force platform, and devices
for the acquisition of kinetic and kinematic data. We have access to
several MRI scanners (1.5, 3 T) via collaboration with the Department of
Radiology (UZ Gasthuisberg, university hospital). The project will be
conducted under the supervision of Prof. R. Krampe.
Qualifications and Attributes
Candidates with a degree in psychology, cognitive neuroscience,
neuropsychology, kinesiology, physical therapy, or biomedical sciences are
considered. A good command of Dutch and English are required. Candidates
are expected to report research output in high quality international
journals. Programming skills (Matlab) is considered a distinct advantage
and familiarity with the use of SPM to analyze brain activations is an
advantage.
K.U.Leuven
Situated at the heart of Western Europe, K.U.Leuven has been a centre of
learning for almost six centuries. Founded in 1425 by Pope Martin V,
K.U.Leuven bears the honour of being the oldest Catholic university in the
world still in existence and the oldest university in the Low Countries.
In its early days this university was modelled on the universities of
Paris, Cologne and Vienna. In a short time it grew into one of the largest
and most renowned universities in Europe. Its academic fame attracted
numerous scholars who made valuable contributions to European culture.
Allow us to enumerate a few renowned names. In the 16th century the
humanist, Desiderius Erasmus, lectured here. He founded the Collegium
Trilingue in 1517 for the study of Hebrew, Latin and Greek - the first of
its kind. The tutor of the young emperor Charles V, Adriaan Cardinal
Florensz of Utrecht, was a professor here before being elected in 1522 as
the last non-Italian Pope before Pope John Paul II. The philologist, legal
scholar and historian, Justus Lipsius, taught here for many years.
Application and further information
This position is available starting Nov 2006 for a period of 4 years.
Please send one copy of your curriculum vitae and the names and addresses
of 3 referees to the address below (submission via electronic mail is
encouraged).
Information about the job can be obtained from
Prof. Dr. Ralf T. Krampe
Department of Psychology
K.U. Leuven
Tiensestraat 102, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Phone: +32 16 326104 (office) +32 16 326003 (secretary)
Fax: +32 16 326144
Website: http://ppw.kuleuven.be/cdp
--
Ann Lavrysen
Center for Developmental Psychology
Tiensestraat 102
B-3000 Leuven
tel: 016/32 60 97
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://ppw.kuleuven.be/cdp
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