PRR Project

Summary

The University Center for Research in Psychology (CUIP) is seeking to appoint an assistant researcher with a focus on brain imaging and cognitive neuroscience research. The researcher must have a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience and considerable research experience to join the Cognitive Neuroscience Research group (CNS) and conduct independent research on the neural bases of human language (reading, speech perception, and production), as well as the neural-developmental disorders that affect normal function, namely dyslexia, and stuttering.Human language, comprising our capability to understand and produce spoken language, and more recently to read, is the pinnacle of human cognition, and in turn critical in modern societies. Despite the efforts, its neural mechanisms remain elusive. Without accurate animal models for these unique human skills, language research depends largely on the prospects brought by non-invasive brain imaging technologies, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Brain imaging research is going through tremendous changes due to computational advances. By employing novel machine-learning strategies, researchers can now investigate brain states multivariately, where hundreds of thousands of data variables are processed conjointly. Contrary to ‘classical’ univariate statistics, machine-learning can create and test hypotheses, extracting information from brain imaging responses that would be otherwise hidden from science. Given this context, and despite the current computational progress in cognitive neuroscience, CUIP and CNS do not have a researcher, who drives the transition, adapts experimental protocols and data analyses, trains team members and PhDs, and in sum, assures the future of modern Psychology research at the University of Algarve. The candidate will join the center’s strong tradition of Psychology and language research by combining non-invasive brain imaging expertise, experimental psychology, and importantly, computational technology.A solid background in brain imaging, including EEG and fMRI, as well as computational methods to support the group in achieving research goals is aligned with the need that the field and the group have: to unveil the neural bases of human language and language disorders. For instance, high-density EEG and dry-EEG systems are strategic tools in the group that can profit directly from computational methods, either in the mapping of neural sources to specific cortical locations, or the development of novel brain-computer-interface (BCI) systems with clinical/therapeutical translation potential. Furthermore, the fMRI background will support the group in broadening research horizons, enabling high spatial precision imaging (in 3 and 7-tesla MRI) and sub-cortical coverage, which is increasingly implicated in language disorders (e.g., basal-ganglia in stuttering; thalamus in dyslexia).CUIP has established collaborations with local clinical partners (e.g., in dyslexia and stuttering) that are strategic to assess the neural gain resulting from therapeutic treatments, leading to new discoveries. The candidate will also collaborate with other groups at CUIP, joining projects that capitalize on multivariate statistics and computational modeling.The researcher must have an established international network of collaborators (e.g., within Europe), to help disseminate and discuss scientific results, invite external speakers, and support applications for consortium-based European funding, including the ‘Twinning Program’ and the ‘Initial Training Network’ (Horizon 2030). Overall, the candidate should have experience in attracting competitive funding, both nationally and internationally, and a proven scientific track record (e.g., h-index above 10).The candidate can contribute to teaching within the faculty of human and social sciences (FCHS) via the coordination of courses (e.g., ‘Neuroimaging’ or ‘Cognitive Neuroscience’), as well as the supervision of research theses in the master program of ‘Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology’. The candidate may help improve teaching methodologies to promote independent and active learning (e.g., Problem-Based-Learning).Furthermore, we seek a candidate with excellent English speaking and writing skills, encouraging English-based teaching and research, promoting CUIP among the international community, attracting foreign students and researchers, and improving the competencies of the group to communicate results in international meetings. CUIP participates in numerous science dissemination events to experts (national and international conferences) and non-experts (e.g., ‘Brain Awareness Week’, ‘Pint of Science’, local schools). Enthusiasm and excellent communication skills to present his/her work to the public, both in English and Portuguese, is a relevant contribution to CUIP and the University.