Helmholtz teaching statement

The HH institute’s scientific mission is to understand behaviour and its underlying cognitive and neurological mechanisms. This ranges from understanding perception and cognition to affective and social behaviour on various levels of explanation. We do this in service of advancing science and society via research and education. It is generally acknowledged that in order to understand behaviour, brain functions and behaviour have to be studied in an integrative context. For this a multidisciplinary approach is essential, in which concepts and methods from neuroscience, biophysics, psychophysics, neurology, psychiatry, AI, and psychology are used and combined into experimental approaches. As such the HH institute’s research focus is divided into three main lines  of experimental research: fundamental research, clinical research, and developmental research.

In order to move forward the field of understanding behaviour and its underlying mechanisms, current experts in the field need to educate the experts of the future. The HH institute aims to do so by educating PhD students to become independent and skilled academics with a national and international network. Starting a PhD project is daunting for most, therefore from the start of the PhD project the HH institute aims to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere so that PhD students feel grounded in our academic community. We believe that the network built during your PhD lasts a lifetime, and that the basis for (multidisciplinary) collaborations lies in your network. This is why we actively encourage community building. We further aim to prepare PhD students for successful, fulfilling, and meaningful careers in academia or other professional sectors, where they can continue to grow, innovate, and make an impact on society. The HH institute provides an excellent environment to prepare PhD students for taking their first independent steps in the competitive realm of for example grant applications after finishing their PhD. At the same time the HH institute will facilitate and support PhD students in gaining theoretical and practical knowledge and skills. In sum, the HH institute aims to create an environment in which PhD students can become the best version of themselves.

The most important learning goal of a PhD project is obviously becoming an independent researcher. To achieve this learning goal PhD students have to conduct research and write a thesis. The HH institute offers a training and educational program that on the one hand supports this main learning goal, but on the other hand also helps PhD students identify and attain learning goals that are important for academics, but not automatically achieved by “just” completing a research project. The HH institute for example acknowledges the importance of soft skills in academia and cultivates this.

We have formulated the following learning goals for our PhD students:

1. The PhD student has developed their practical research skills.
2. The PhD student is familiar with the HH institute and the experimental psychology department at the UU, for example with the content of different research groups.
3. The PhD student has gained broad theoretical knowledge about the field of psychology, physiology, and biology, within the general framework of cognitive, affective and clinical neuroscience.
4. The PhD student has built a (research) network outside the own supervison-/chair-group.
5. The PhD student explored new skills or activities that are relevant to academia, but not necessarily research-related (e.g. as described in the triple model).