How the Brain Recognises and Remembers During Active Visual Exploration

About the project

In naturalistic settings such as browsing digital feeds, visual exploration is self-paced and proactive. Observers decide when and how to sample visual information, creating a closed loop where motor action directly triggers perceptual input. However, traditional visual cognitive neuroscience relies primarily on passive paradigms where subjects have no control over the timing or flow of information. Consequently, the neural mechanisms supporting active, observer-controlled visual recognition and memory formation remain poorly understood.

This project investigates how volitional control affects core neural dynamics of object recognition and memory encoding. Based at the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, the project combines empirical neuroimaging with computational modelling to resolve visual representations over time.

The successful candidate will gain expertise in neuroimaging, multivariate decoding, scientific programming, computational modelling, and visual perception research.

Lead supervisor: Dr Tijl Grootswagers · Profile & publications → https://tijl.github.io/

What the scholarship provides

• Tax-free stipend of $38,707 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
• Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by the School.
• Fully funded PhD candidature embedded within an ARC Future Fellowship research program.
• Tax-free doctoral living stipend supported by an RTP training scholarship.
• Dedicated funding for project operational costs, participant reimbursement, and high-performance computing access.
• Financial support for national and international conference travel, workshops, and collaborative research visits.
• Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure at the MARCS Institute.
• Supervisory mentoring, training in cutting-edge methodologies, and integration into an international network of cognitive neuroscience research.

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in cognitive neuroscience. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in Cognitive Neuroscience.

Academic qualifications

One of the following: an Australian First Class Honours Bachelor's degree, or a Research Masters, or a Coursework Masters with a minimum 25% research component, or equivalent overseas qualifications in Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology, Computer Science, Data Science, Biomedical Engineering, or Vision Science.

Quantitative & programming skills

Expertise in quantitative data analysis, signal processing, and/or scientific programming (Python / MATLAB / R).

Domain knowledge

Solid foundational understanding of human visual perception, cognitive neuroscience, and/or electroencephalography (EEG) methodology.

Methodological capability

Strong motivation to master advanced analytical techniques, including multivariate neural decoding, computational modelling, and deep neural networks.

Open science & research integrity

Commitment to open science practices, including public sharing of research data and code.

English proficiency

All applications must meet Western Sydney University English language proficiency requirements.