PhD position in the Psychophysics and Neural Dynamics (PND) Lab

Recherche

Contexte

The Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) is one of five Swiss university hospitals. Through its collaboration with the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of the University of Lausanne and the EPFL, CHUV plays a leading role in the areas of medical care, medical research and training.

The Sense is a new academic research centre dedicated to innovation, research and training in sensory systems. This initiative is the result of a collaboration between three Swiss academic partners: the University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland –  Valais/Wallis (HES-SO Valais/Wallis), the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV).

This project is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation as part of a Starting Grant (Principal Investigator: David Pascucci, CHUV/Unil/The Sense Innovation Center).

Our 4-year project addresses a central question: why do individuals differ in how their perceptual judgments are shaped by temporal context? We will address this through an integrated behavioural, computational, and neurophysiological approach, focusing on the interaction between endogenous perceptual traits and external factors. The work involves visual psychophysics, EEG, and computational modeling. The successful candidate will be primarily based in Lausanne, with research visits to ENS/CNRS, allowing engagement with two complementary research environments.

Mission

• Carry out research work according to the descriptive plan of the SNSF "perceptual FLUCTUATions" project
• Recruitment of study participants, collection, and analysis of EEG+behavioral data
• Dissemination of research through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications
• Assist in the supervision of junior researchers, particularly Master's students

Profil

• Master’s degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field
• Experience in visual psychophysics and/or EEG is strongly valued
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Preferred skills : Psychophysics software (e.g., PsychoPy, Psychtoolbox), Programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C/C++), EEG and/or signal processing, computational modeling, Statistical analysis (e.g., in R), Dedication to data collection in task batteries

Nous offrons

To become an employee of the University Hospital Center from the Canton of Vaud is an assurance of :

• First-rate social benefits such as a Paternity Leave of 20 days and a Maternity Leave of 4 months (there is also the possibility to obtain a complementary breastfeeding leave of 1 month)
• 25 days of vacations per year
• A right to at least three days of training per year, by accessing a wide offer of courses not only from the CHUV Training Center but also from external providers
• Possibility to access one of the 500 furnished apartments offered in the surrounding neighborhoods in case of relocation in Switzerland
• Discounts proposed on social and cultural events, goodies and other services, thanks to the “H-Oxygène” association
• Signing up to our Mobility Plan and benefit from different advantages (discounts on public transportation, promotion of “Mobility” car fleet and discounts on electric bikes)
• Being able to enjoy our high-quality corporate restaurants, located in every hospital building, with employees’ discount