PhD Position Consumer Neuroscience / Neuromarketing

[Maarten A.S. Boksem]

We seek outstanding applicants whose research interests lie at the intersection of marketing, psychology, economics, and neuroscience and who are interested in studying the brain mechanisms that underlie judgement and decision-making. Particular interests of our group are the neural underpinnings of persuasive messaging, social influences on (consumer) choices, emotion regulation and self-control, and the role of neurotransmitters and hormones in such decisions.

For the current project we are particularly looking for applicants who have experience with innovative fMRI methods, most notably multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA), and who would be interested in applying these techniques to predict real-world consumer choices.

Candidates with a less technical focus and a more general interest in how neuroscience can inform consumer decision-making are also invited to apply.

Topic

We seek to predict consumer choice from neural activity in response to products, brands and advertising. In particular, we focus on linking neural measures to real market choice data. We will systematically compare the predictive validity of these brain markers to benchmarks from conventional marketing research and psychophysiological methods. In general, candidates have a large say in the precise focus of their project

Approach

The preferred methodology is fMRI, in particular applying innovative techniques such as multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) and representational similarity analysis (RSA), as well as neural reliability (inter-subject correlations in neural activity). Multivariate pattern classification techniques have recently been applied to map discrete emotions which potentially would enable classifying stimuli such as brands and commercials into multidimensional affective space. Experience with and interest in applying these advanced techniques is a definite plus. In addition to fMRI, we use EEG, facial coding, eye-tracking and behavioural measures in our research. Experience with at least one of these methods is required.

About our Center

The PhD student will be a member of The Erasmus Center for Neuroeconomics (ECN), which is hosted by the Marketing Department of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. This position will be jointly supervised by Prof. Ale Smidts and Dr. Maarten Boksem.

The Erasmus Center for Neuroeconomics is dedicated to conducting cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in decision neuroscience, and hosts the Erasmus Behavioural Lab which provides an excellent infrastructure for conducting behavioural, EEG/ERP, eye-tracking, facial coding and hormone-administration experiments. In addition, the Center has access to multiple MRI scanners located the Erasmus Medical Center. The Department of Marketing is home of leading researchers in consumer behaviour and judgment and decision making, and experts in marketing modelling and data science.

For more info please visit bit.ly/1IuhCYP

Maarten Boksem

Associate Professor | Erasmus University | Rotterdam School of Management 

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