Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience | Cognitive Neuroscience

• Graduated: 2017
• First job after master: PhD candidate at FPN
• Currently: Postdoctoral researcher at the Donders Institute in Nijmegen

I really enjoyed my time during the research master! When applying I was debating between the Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience tracks, and ultimately chose the CN track, as the curriculum was better aligned with my plans and interests because of the balance between content and methods courses. The program was challenging but rewarding, and I especially enjoyed the PBL system after coming from a bachelor program that was predominantly lecture-based. My master thesis internship paved the way for my subsequent PhD project, which allowed a smooth transition from student to researcher.

• My first and current job after the master was a PhD in Medical Sciences in the Vrije Universiteit Brussel

I left Maastricht ready for a life as a researcher. The demanding courses and projects prepared me for the challenges of doing a PhD. The master provided me with the technical skills and perseverance to meet deadlines. I remember those two years being sometimes quite stressful, but it was all worth it due to the practical and theoretical knowledge acquired there, like basics of programming and what not to bring inside an MRI scanner.  I also developed learning strategies like the PBL that are certainly useful nowadays during discussions with other researchers. I definitely got a good insight into neuroscience. Now I can apply the "know-how" during my PhD on concurrent neuroimaging and brain stimulation on neurotypical and autistic spectrum disorder individuals.

• Current/the first job after graduation: PhD student in Cognition and Perception at New York University.

I obtained my research master's degree in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience specializing in Cognitive Neuroscience at Maastricht University. Currently I'm a PhD student at New York University, and my research focuses on the computational models of visual encoding and visual attention. Research master's in cognitive neuroscience is an intense course with a highly selective curriculum, which brings students from different backgrounds to an advanced understanding of cognitive neuroscience as an interdisciplinary research field. The program covers various fundamental research areas in the field from visual perception to sensorimotor processing. As someone currently pursuing a PhD in visual perception, I can comfortably read advanced research articles from other research areas in the field and grasp and criticize the methodological aspects of these studies. Learning how to read scientific articles and internalizing a framework for "good science"  is a valuable asset not only for those aspiring a career in academia, but also for everyone who is willing to look at the world with a critical eye. The program also provides the students with some essential research skills such as programming and team-work. These skills are highly transferable to non-academic jobs. As students complete a first-year research project followed by a substantial research master's thesis in the second year, there are plenty of opportunities to apply these skills. In addition to the study-related aspects of the program, I must also say that the environment in the Cognitive Neuroscience department and the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience is beyond welcoming and friendly. I feel lucky that I have been -and I still am- a part of this broad-minded international scientific community.

• First job after obtaining the master's degree: PhD student at the department of Cognitive Neuroscience (CN) at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN), Maastricht University
• Current job: Neuropsychologist at Zorggroep Sint-Kamillus, Belgium

The specialization Cognitive Neuroscience, was a unique two-year experience for me. During the master’s programme, I acquired a strong theoretical background in neuroscience, as well as practical experience with neuroimaging techniques. The internship that I did abroad, at the University of California Los Angeles, was the cherry on top. The master programme furthered my interest in neuroscience and prepared me diligently for a PhD trajectory. After the master programme, I could start my PhD at the department of cognitive neuroscience with the prestigious NWO research talent grant. I worked on brain-computer interfacing for communication using the technique of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Currently, I am writing up my PhD dissertation and working as a clinical psychologist in a psychiatric hospital in Belgium. The division I work on is a closed admission division for noncongenital brain damage with disorientation and confusion as main symptoms. I enjoy the neuropsychological diagnostics together with the patient contact. Doing the master programme has enabled me to become a confident scientist-practitioner.