Research Assistant

Location:  Amsterdam, NL
Closing Date:  30-4-2026
Max hours per week:  38
Salary Max (€):  3.465

The Sleep and Dreams lab of the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is seeking a highly motivated research assistant (project Dreamscape)

The project Dreamscape combines a unique combination of cutting-edge experimental approaches, including 256-channel-high-density EEG sleep recordings combined with pharmacological modulation of sleep, controlled sensory stimulations and serial awakening paradigms. One project investigates the pharmacological modulation of dreams in healthy participants, while the second examines dream experiences in patients with REM sleep behavior disorder.

The candidate will work in the Sleep and Dreams laboratory of Francesca Siclari under the supervision of a postdoctoral researcher. The position is for 1 year starting as soon as possible. Extension toward a PhD position is possible depending on performance and project progress. The projects are funded by the EU ERC project Dreamscape.

What will you be doing?

• Recruitment and screening of study participants and patients.
• Scheduling of study visits and sleep recordings.
• Translation of study documents and dream questionnaires from English to Dutch.
• Participation in data acquisition (setting up and acquiring nocturnal high-density EEG recordings, awakening and interviewing participants about dreams).
• Participation in sleep scoring and data preprocessing.
• Data organization and management.

Who are we looking for?

• You have a Master degree in Biology, Neurosciences, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering or related fields, or a diploma as a sleep or neurophysiology technician.
• You ideally have research experience, are familiar with sleep and dream research or are highly interested in the topic.
• You are willing to work during night-time.
• You are fluent in written and spoken Dutch and English. Dutch knowledge is mandatory at minimum B2 level.
• You have excellent organizational and communication skills.
• You are rigorous, committed and highly motivated.
• You are a team player.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

What do we offer?

A stimulating research environment in the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (www.nin.nl). An extension toward a PhD student position is possible depending on performance and project progress. Good compensation & benefits (see Terms of employment).

About the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience
The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is the country’s leading fundamental neuroscience research institute, in the international and progressive city of Amsterdam. It provides a critical mass of scientists (spanning more than 27 nationalities) and neuroscience facilities, in a highly interactive, dynamic, multi-cultural environment, with English as the working language. Members of the research groups have backgrounds ranging from philosophy to engineering, but with an emphasis on biology and psychology.

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience, the minimum salary is € 3.004 and the maximum salary is € 3.465 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 5 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

More information
General information about the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience can be found on the institute’s website (nin.nl). For more information about the vacancy, please contact dr. Francesca Siclari MD (f.siclari@nin.knaw.nl).

Application procedure
Please submit via the button Apply Now before April 30, 2026:

• a cover letter summarizing your motivation (max. 1 page)
• a CV
• the name and email addresses of up to three referees
• After choosing the button Apply Now, please first make an account. Then scroll down to the field “Other documents” which you can choose to upload more then 2 documents.

Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until the vacancy is filled.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.