CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF COGNITIVE SCIENCE - CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR PhD STUDENTSHIPS

Cognitive science is the study of the ways in which information is acquired and used by humans,
other living organisms, and also artificial cognitive systems. The CEU Department of Cognitive
Science concentrates on social and biological aspects of human cognition: how learning, processing,
and sharing information about and with others takes place, and how computational models of
human cognition can be realized in the brain. Students and faculty undertake interdisciplinary
research drawing on psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, mathematical modeling, linguistics, and
the social sciences. The department focuses on four main areas of research: infant cognitive
development, social cognition, cognition and economics, and the emergence and use of internal
representations based on sensory perception. The department currently offers one doctoral
program.

Update on the Financial Aid

PhD studentships are available for the doctoral program in Cognitive Science at Central European
University (CEU).

The Department of Cognitive Science at CEU invites applications for doctoral student positions
starting in September 2020. This is a research-based training program in human cognition with social
cognition, learning and perception as core themes. Research topics include communication,
cooperation, computational neuroscience, cultural transmission, developmental social cognition,
embodied cognition, joint action, problem solving, sensory and statistical learning, social cognitive
neuroscience, social learning, strategic decision making, visual cognition and visual psychophysics.

Students will follow courses in cognitive anthropology, cognitive psychology, computational

cognition, linguistics, philosophy of mind, traditional and Bayesian statistics and visual perception
and learning. In addition, they will receive practical research training in the laboratories of the
members of this new department.

Admission criteria

Applicants are expected to hold an internationally recognized Master's or comparable degree in the
standard disciplines that constitute cognitive science (psychology, computer science, philosophy,
engineering, biology, neuroscience, physics and mathematics). A comparable degree in other Social
Sciences, Humanities, or other disciplines will also be considered in case of an excellent academic
record. In case of exceptional candidates, we will also consider the applications if the student only
holds a Bachelor degree, provided it is in a discipline closely associated to cognitive science.

Application materials

As part of their application package, applicants must submit the following materials as general CEU
requirements:

1. How to Apply

Below is the list of the documents you need to prepare for applying, as well as the link to the CEU
Online Application Form:

a) Academic Writing Submission(s)

 All programs at CEU require one or more pieces of academic writing for the application, such
as a statement of purpose, research proposal, academic essay on a given subject, writing
sample, etc. Each academic program has its own writing requirement(s). (On how to put
together a competitive application, how to improve your statement of purpose or write a
compelling research proposal, you may want to check the Useful Tips section for advice.).
See (7) below for details on the academic writing submission for the PhD in cognitive
science.

b) Letters of Recommendation

You must have two (or, for some doctoral programs, three) confidential letters of
recommendation submitted as part of your application, assessing your ability to conduct
graduate-level work, and potential for a successful academic or professional career. The
letters must be written in English by your faculty members or job supervisors (i.e. people
most familiar with your academic and/or professional abilities and character) and sent via
the online application system by the recommenders themselves. (You must not know the
contents of the letters and therefore cannot submit them.) Also, please note that a complete
set of recommendations must be received for every application that you have submitted.

In order to enable your recommenders to send in their letters, you need to register them in
the relevant section of the online application form AND submit your application; they won’t
receive an email with a link to a recommendation form until after you have submitted your
application. All recommendations must be received within one week of the time the
application is submitted. Late references may or may not be considered.

You can track the status of your references on the applicant portal.

c) Academic Records

Your application must include a scanned image of your complete official bachelor’s and
master’s transcripts and your bachelor's and master’s diplomas in English if you are applying
to a doctoral program.

The transcript and the diploma should be issued in English by your university/college or
translated by the issuing institution or a registered translator. In either case, it must bear the
stamp and signature of an official of the institution or the translator.

d) Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Please upload an updated CV or resume, including a publication list if available. CEU accepts
all commonly used CV/resume formats.

e) Proof of English Proficiency

You must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting standardized English language

test scores, e.g., the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or other tests listed
below.

Candidates whose first language is English are normally exempt from this requirement.
Other candidates may also be exempted if they fall into either of the two categories below:

 current or former CEU students applying to CEU's master's or doctoral programs;

  candidates who have earned a bachelor's or a master's degree taught exclusively in
English. Please note: CEU reserves the right to request proof that the program was
taught entirely in English if it is not evident from the academic records provided.

To request exemption from the English language proficiency requirement, answer the
questions on English Language Qualifications accordingly in the Qualifications section of the
online application form and, unless the language of instruction is clearly stated in your
academic records, provide (as an “Other Supporting Document”) an official university letter
confirming that your bachelor’s or master’s program was taught entirely in English.

If you are submitting a test score of one of the English language exams listed below, please
upload a scan/screenshot of your paper/online score report to the relevant section of your
online application. (CEU's institution code with ETS is 0069 - please use this code when
taking a TOEFL test.)

Language test types & minimum test scores required by doctoral programs:

 TOEFL (Internet-based; taken on/after January 31, 2018) – 100

 TOEFL (Paper-based; taken on/after January 31, 2018) – 600
 IELTS Academic; taken on/after January 31, 2018) – 7
f) Completed CEU Application Form
 All application materials must be submitted with the online application form(s).
Materials sent by postal mail, electronic mail or fax are not considered.
 You may apply to up to 5 programs (master's and/or doctoral) offered by any academic
unit at CEU. Some programs have different application deadlines; please always refer to
the program websites for detailed guidelines.
 CEU charges a one-time application fee of EUR 30 for each candidate irrespective of the
number of programs applied to in the given admissions cycle. The application fee is non-
refundable and cannot be waived, but it can be paid by a third party. The fee must be
paid by bank card via the online application form after the first application is submitted
in the given admission cycle. Once you hit "submit" on your application, the page will
redirect you to the payment portal where you can pay the application fee.
 Applications cannot be edited after submission with the exception of certain data
(contact information) that can be updated via the Applicant Portal. Please submit your
application only when it is 100% final and complete.
 CEU does not return application documents or provide copies thereof.
 If you applied to CEU in a previous admission cycle, please use your existing login and
password to start a new application. If you do not remember your password from last
year click on Forgotten Password. With technical problems, bugs or errors related to the
online application forms please contact the CEU IT Help Desk.
2. The completed Online Application Form 2020/2021
3. A curriculum vitae or resume, including a list of publications, if any
4. Proof of English proficiency (please see CEU Language Requirements How to apply, point 6.)
Note, no more CEU-administered TOEFL! Applicants need to submit a language test score by the
relevant application deadline. Make sure to do the test and get the result by the time you apply!
5. Two letters of Recommendations (see 1-b above): Referees receive a link to the reference form
AFTER the applicant submits the application.
6. Academic records - please consult 1-c above.
7. A research proposal of 1000 to 2000 words. The research proposal should include the research
questions, aims and objectives of a research project that is related to the ongoing work in the
department. The proposal should situate the project in the context of the existing literature, be
clear as to the expected academic contribution, and outline possible appropriate analytical
frameworks and methodologies. Note that, if admitted, students will not be expected to pursue
the research project as it is outlined in the proposal (though it may form the basis of their
doctoral work). The submitted research proposal will be used during the application process to
assess the applicant's understanding of what doing research in cognitive science entails.
8. CEU charges a one-time application fee of EUR 30 for each candidate irrespective of the number
of programs applied to in the given admissions cycle. The application fee is non-refundable and
cannot be waived, but it can be paid by a third party. The fee must be paid by bank card via the
online application form when the first application is submitted in the given admission cycle.
9. Checklist – see 1-f above.

We encourage applicants to consult the website and approach appropriate members of the faculty
in advance in order to check the suitability of their research plans.

Application Deadline

JANUARY 30, 2020 (MIDNIGHT, CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIME)

Application deadline for PhD applications. All applications must be complete with relevant standard
test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).

REFERENCES FOR POTENTIAL TOPICS

Quality childcare promotes cognitive, language, and social and emotional development

https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/994-seizing-the-potential-quality-infant-toddler-child-
care#chapter-325

More than 40% of infants and toddlers are in childcare classrooms of poor quality. Intensive, high-
quality, centre-based childcare interventions that provide learning experiences directly to the young
child have a positive effect on early learning, cognitive and language development, and school
achievement. One of the features that distinguish higher quality care is the amount of language
stimulation provided. High-quality childcare, in which providers are both supportive and offer more
verbal stimulation, creates an environment in which children are likely to show advanced cognitive
and language development. For virtually every developmental outcome that has been assessed,
quality of care also shows positive associations with early social and emotional development. Higher
quality care is generally related to more competent peer relationships during early childhood and
into the school years. It provides environments and opportunities for socialization, problem-solving,
empathy building, sharing, and relating.

The quality of the relationship between the childcare provider and child influences every aspect of
young children’s development. The quality of childcare ultimately boils down to the quality of the
relationship between the childcare provider and the child; skilled and stable providers promote
positive development. A secure relationship between the infant and the caregiver can complement
the relationship between parents and young children and facilitate early learning and social
development. Young children whose caregivers provide ample verbal and cognitive stimulation, who
are sensitive and responsive, and who give them generous amounts of attention and support are
more likely to be advanced in all aspects of development compared with children who fail to receive
these important inputs.

Research demonstrates that the strongest effects of quality childcare are found with at-risk children
—children from families with few resources and under great stress. Quality childcare contributes to
later school success. Studies that examine children’s development over time have shown that higher
quality childcare is a predictor of improvement in children’s ability to understand spoken language,
communication skills, verbal IQ skills, cognitive skills, behavioural skills, and attainment of higher
math and language scores—all of which impact later school success. Research also indicates that
participants in high-quality childcare and early education programs may also experience lower levels
of grade retention and placement in special education classrooms.

High-quality childcare is particularly important to low-income children. Low-income children often

start behind their peers when they enter school. When childcare is of very high quality (as is the case
with model early childhood programs), the positive effects can endure into the early adult years,
particularly for children from the poorest home environments. In fact, one study found that children
in the second grade who had enrolled in high-quality childcare demonstrated greater mathematical
ability and thinking and attention skills and experienced fewer behaviour problems than other
children in the same grade. Yet, at-risk infants and toddlers often receive childcare of such poor
quality that it may actually diminish inborn potential and lead to poorer cognitive, social, and
emotional-developmental outcomes.

References

https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/57566/310923-Children-in-Low-Income-
Families-Are-Less-Likely-to-Be-in-Center-Based-Child-Care.PDF