PRR Project

Summary

IBEB intends to hire a researcher in the area of Biomedical Engineering, with specific expertise in neuromodelling. This researcher should have a strong background in computational modelling of neuronal systems, preferably with experience in the area of bioelectromagnetism and/or computational neuroscience, fitting the research done towards IBEB’s research line 1: Brain Dynamics.IBEB is internationally recognized for their work in brain stimulation and neuro-rehabilitation, which has gained significant momentum in the past few years. Namely, one of the professors working  in this area is within the “World’s Top 2% Scientists” ranking by Elsevier (https://shre.ink/UKGS). IBEB has made a significant investment in lab equipment and infrastructure to lead their own experiments. IBEB has high-end computers well-suited for realistic simulations, extensively used to design Python-based open-source solutions for EEG analysis and multiscale modelling of transcranial current stimulation (tCS) effects, by developing further and integrating available open-source solutions, specifically MNE-Python (https://mne.tools/), SIMNIBS (https://simnibs.github.io/simnibs), Human Neurocortical Solver (HNN, https://hnn.brown.edu/) and NEURON (https://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/), including also advanced simulation solutions with COMSOL software (licensed, https://www.comsol.com/). Additionally, IBEB purchased new state-of-the-art equipment to feed and validate the models with real data: a 64-channel electroencephalography (EEG) recording device (https://www.brainproducts.com/solutions/actichamp/), and a tCS device with multimodal stimulations capabilities (StarStim 8-channel https://www.neuroelectrics.com/). With these equipment, IBEB has performed several experimental studies with volunteers, previously approved by the Ethics Committees of Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa and Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa. IBEB has engaged a close and long-lasting relationship with Prof. Mamede de Carvalho in Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM), providing the opportunity for IBEB researchers to perform clinical feasibility studies in neuronal stimulation, by having access to Electromyography (EMG) equipment to collect data for studies of motor evoked responses and spinal reflexes, related to several neurophysiological markers of movement–related deficits. IBEB’s combined expertise in neuronal stimulation modelling and application goes directly in line with international goals in the field – aiming to unlock the mechanisms of action and therapeutic potentials of tCS.IBEB needs to hire a researcher that is active in this area of research to lead and make a significant contribution to this area of research, thus ensuring IBEB’s place at the frontline of the neurostimulation international scene.Moreover, Faculdade de Ciências – Universidade de Lisboa, has had to continuously hire invited professors to teach several courses for the Masters programme of Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics, and this area has been understaffed – most noticeably in the past 2 years since the early retirement of one of the professors teaching and doing research in this specific area. Additionally, the course “Bioeletricidade e Eletrofisiologia/Bioelectricity and Electrophysiology” (a compulsory course taught to 1st year students enrolled in the Masters programme of Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics, and which is most related to the area of neuromodelling) has significantly relied on invited professors, professors had to be hired 4 times in the past 6 academic years alone.This area of research has attracted more and more Masters and PhD students, from national and international origins (e.g. ERASMUS+ programme), thus a researcher in this area is essential to supervise their research activities and manage the EEG-tCS lab (submissions of protocols to ethics committees, recruitment of volunteers, access and scheduling of experiments, management of consumables, implementation of good practices, internships in industry/clinical contexts, etc).This position will be opened, in 2024, and is aligned with the plan of contracts 2024-2029 of the Department of Physics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa.