Cognitive Psychology

VENI

Artem Belopolsky

A.Belopolsky@psy.vu.nlCognitive Psychology

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Cognitive Psychology

Before application• First round is the most important

– you have no control

• Things to consider– time after PhD– number of publications– international experience (internships,

collaborations)

Cognitive Psychology

Proposal• The most difficult: novel topic or approach

– New view on the old problems– Interdisciplinary approach

• Strong theoretical background

• Experience in proposed methods– Publications– No learning new methods

• Applications of your research (if possible)

Cognitive Psychology

Proposal• Have a clear structure Intro-approach-expected

conclusions• Realistic plan or framework with possibility of extentions • Describe the exact experiments that you will do• Have alternative plan of action – what if your hypothesis

is wrong? • Use figures• Let as many people as possible read it

– Non-experts in the field– It is useful even if they completely misunderstood your proposal

Cognitive Psychology

Reply to reviewers• Comes in vacation period

• Know your chances

• Always write a reply– Summarize the positive comments– Answer ALL the negative comments– Let other people read it

Cognitive Psychology

Interview• Powerpoint, slides, sleight of hand

• Practice, practice, practice– only 10 minutes– stand out– accessable to all backgrounds– enthusiasm

Cognitive Psychology

Interview• Novelty should be clear• Maximum 1 expert• Answers to reviewers• Refrain from arguing back and forth• Alternative plan of actions• Application of your research?