at the BCBL- Basque Center on Cognition Brain and Language (San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain) www.bcbl.eu 
1. INFORMATION ABOUT THE POSITION
- Position: PhD student
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1- up to the point of PhD)
- Number of vacancies: 1
- Project: CORTICAL RHYTHMS: Aligning Brain Rhythms: Understanding the mechanisms of cortical tracking of speech to improve language functions with real time closed-loop neurofeedback
- Location: Spain > San Sebastian
- Research Field: Neuroscience
- Type of contract/Duration of Contract: Temporary > 4 years
- Job Status: Full-time
- Hours per week: 35
- Starting date: January 2025 (flexible)
- Application deadline: 31st October 2024
Information about the project:
Speech processing and reading are essential unique human abilities underpinning social, educational, and professional advancement. However early biomarkers of speech processing deficits that have been documented in reading disabilities such as Developmental Dyslexia (DD) have yet to be identified. Here, we will explore whether the cortical tracking of speech (CTS) - the temporal alignment between fluctuations in the speech signal and fluctuations in electrical brain activity – can predict later reading deficits in DD. Cutting edge neuroimaging tools, carefully designed tasks, and longitudinal designs will be used to record CTS. Specifically, we will investigate whether CTS at an early age in speech processing and reading development (preschool years) can help detect early DD risks by predicting the children who will be diagnosed with DD later on (Grade 2 of primary school).
This project represents a radically new scientific approach that will break new ground by investigating CTS and will allow us to
(1) establish causal relationships between CTS and speech processing and reading skills
(2) use this novel approach to detect, diagnose and remediate DD.
Job description:
- Designing and implementing longitudinal studies in young children with and without familiar risk of DD
- Analysing electrophysiological recordings and EEG data during speech processing
- Writing research papers under the supervision of the PI, aiming to publish at top-tier journals
- Dissemination of results at international scientific conferences
PIs and research groups:
Dr. Marie Lallier and Dr, Marina Kalashnikova will be the supervisors of this PhD project. Both of these groups will be highly involved in the broader research team of this ERC Advanced Grant project, which has the aim of understand the role of CTS for language and reading acquisition from different perspectives (e.g., second language learning, illiteracy, training and remediation).
Educational Neuroscience and Developmental Disorders – PI Marie Lallier
This group revolves around research lines aiming at elucidating the neurocognitive mechanisms subtending typical and atypical language and reading development and at transferring this knowledge to clinical and educational practice. To conduct research efficiently, they use various techniques (behavioral testing, eye tracking, fMRI, EEG, MEG) and designs (cross-linguistic, cross-sectional, longitudinal, and training studies) in bilingual and monolingual populations including infants, children, and adults, with and without language and reading disorders.
Infant Language and Cognition – PI Marina Kalashnikova
This group investigates the process of early language acquisition, specifically the emergence and consolidation of speech perception and word-learning over monolingual and bilingual infants’ first two years of life, as well as interactions between these early language abilities and the development of general perceptual and cognitive capacities. The group addresses these questions through cross-sectional and longitudinal designs that combine neurophysiological (EEG, fNIRS), behavioral (visual preference, eye-tracking), and observational (parent-infant interactions) techniques in the BCBL BabyLab.
2. CANDIDATES’ PROFILE AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Required skills:
- Good knowledge of the field of cognitive neuroscience and/or linguistics, experimental psychology
- Master’s (or equivalent) degree in Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Linguistics, and/or other relevant areas
- Experience with EEG signal analyses
- Strong background in experiment programming and statistical analyses
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
Desirable skills:
- Previous experience in participating in research projects (e.g., data collection, analysis) is desired
- Experience with research projects in children
- Knowledge of Spanish (or willingness to learn) is a plus
3. WORKING CONDITIONS
Salary: 21,000€/year gross on average across the four years of the contract
Entitlements and other benefits: https://www.bcbl.eu/en/join-us/what-is-like-to-work-bcbl
Training opportunities and Career development plan:
Researchers at any stage of their career, regardless of their contractual situation, are given an opportunity for professional development and for improving their employability through access to a Personal Career Development Plan which includes
(1) Training through individually personalized research projects under senior supervision
(2) Exchanging knowledge with the scientific community and the general public
(3) Network-wide training in theory and methods
(4) Complementary training courses
(5) Involvement in proposal writing, task coordination
(6) Development of skills for the organization of training and scientific events
BCBL seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support contact us.
4. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:
Language policy
- The corporative language at the Center is English
- The center provides initial level Spanish and Basque lessons to all the international staff members
- The interview will be conducted entirely in English
5. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Submission of the application and documentation:
To submit your application, please follow this link: applying for “Ph.D. Position - ERC - CORTICAL RHYTHMS (AT RISK)” and attach the following documentation:
- A curriculum vitae
- A statement outlining research interests and motivation to apply for the position
- Transcript of records for the master and bachelor degrees
- Two letters of recommendation
Learn more about the BCBL’s OTM-R policy
Application process timetable:
- Deadline for application: 31/10/2024
- Evaluation by committee: 04/11/2024-15/11/2024
- Interviews: 18/11/2024-29/11/2024
- Final decision: 02/12/2024
- Feedback to all applicants: 03/12/2024
- Work contract start date: 15/01/2025
Please note that the dates are for reference only and may vary.
Contact details for enquiries: hr@bcbl.eu
Marie Lallier and Marina Kalashnikova are also very happy to hold informal chats on the project and the position with prospective candidates: m.lallier@bcbl.eu and m.kalashnikova@bcbl.eu
