Uppsala University, Department of Psychology

Project Title: New ways to measure motor development in infancy. 

Recruiting Department: Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

Supervisor: Professor Gustaf Gredebäck, Uppsala University (gustaf.gredeback@psyk.uu.se)

We are looking for talented and motivated candidates for one PhD position, 4 years, 100%, of which the first three years are financed by the EU and the forth by Uppsala University. The student will be offered a competitive salary.

This PhD position will involve two related projects. (I) To assist in the on-going development of a new measuring device that relies on Inertial Measuringment Units (IMUs) to assess human motion. (II) To use this new technique, together with existing technology (motion capture, eye tracking), to enhance our understanding of infants developing motor system and action strategies, for example during reaching, banging, and/or coordination of arm and leg movements. Additional studies might be included that assess the degree to which this technique can be used with children outside the lab, for example in kindergarten or schools.   

The position is based at the Uppsala Child and Babylab at Uppsala University, but research visits for the PhD student are planned to Smarteye, an eye tracking company in Gothenburg (1 month) and the Birkbeck, University of London (5 months).

The Uppsala Child and Babylab (www.babylab.se) consist of more than 30 researchers and doctoral students. It has a strong international focus and has recently been evaluated as world-leading (KOF-07 and KOF-11).

The position is part of MOTION, a pan-European Marie Sklodowksa-Curie Innovative Training Network project that aims to develop new tools to assess infant cognition in real-world ecological settings.

For a candidate to be considered for a Marie-Curie position, it is a requirement that they have not lived longer than 12 months during the past 3 years in the country that offers the position.

 What we expect from you: The applicant must have a basic university degree with psychology as a major subject. Good knowledge of programing as well as experience with signal processing are distinct advantages. For more information, see http://psyk.uu.se/admissions/phd-studies. The applicant must have strong English language skills in writing as well as communication skills in general, and the ability to work in a team.

The application should be written in Swedish or in English and contain:

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students and teaching assistants.

Starting date: June 2018 or as agreed upon.

For further information about the position, please contact professor Gustaf Gredebäck (gustaf.gredeback@psyk.uu.se)

You are welcome to submit your application no later than the 14th May 2018, UFV-PA 2018/1398.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment June 2018, or as agreed upon
Salary Fixed pay
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Uppsala
County Uppsala län
Country Sweden
Reference number UFV-PA 2018/1398
Union representative
  • Ellena Papaioannou, Seko, 018-471 3315
  • Suzanne Borén Andersson, TCO/ST, 018-471 6251
  • Per Sundman, Saco-rådet, 018-471 1485
Published 16.Apr.2018
Last application date 14.May.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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