[Neuroinfo] [Jobs] PhD positions @ Italian Institute of Technology - Center for Translational Neurophysiology

[Alessandro D'Ausilio]

PHD PROGRAM in

TRANSLATIONAL NEUROSCIENCES AND NEUROTECHNOLOGIES

 

The Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication (CTNSC) at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) is looking for up to 4 highly motivated, full-time PhD students to work in the core research areas of the Center.

At the CTNSC we focus our efforts in two integrated directions. On one side we are studying how the brain builds communicative and linguistic representations. On the other side we are designing new brain interfaces, specifically conceived for human use, to record and computationally decode neural signals. Speech and communication are of central importance for us, because we believe that many paralyzing pathologies require, at first, the restoring of an efficient communicative flow between the patient and the environment. Therefore, our research goal is to advance knowledge on brain functioning to help building the next generation of brain-computer interfaces. 

We are looking for outstanding students, with a specific interest on translational research and willing to contribute to the development of the future of human-machine communication.

 The CTNSC is hosted by the Section of Physiology of the University of Ferrara, one of the oldest in Italy (founded in 1391). The identity of the University of Ferrara is rooted in the historical and cultural tradition that welcomed and formed illustrious figures such as Copernico and Paracelso. In terms of its size, facilities, quality and quantity of education and research, the university is a point of excellence within Italy. The CTNSC is located in an ancient and prestigious artistic and historical building in the city center. 

The PhD student will work in Ferrara, in an international and multidisciplinary team including biomedical engineers, biologists, computer scientists, psychologists and medical doctors. The PhD positions will cover the following core areas of CTNSC:


A) Improving performance and biocompatibility in brain machine interfaces

Long term neurophysiological and Brain Machine Interface studies require significant improvements in the properties of chronic electrode implants. The candidate will be involved in the design, fabrication and test of innovative microelectrode arrays - intracortical and epicortical - for both recording and stimulation in rats, primates and humans. Activities will include the development of: variable stiffness biocompatible polymers for electrode support and insulation, nanomaterials for low noise electrical interfaces, biocompatible hydrogels for nanomaterial encapsulation and tissue interface, ultrathin flexible and compliant conductors for wiring. In-vivo validation will be carried-out within the research team.

Techniques: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy/ Chronoamperometry/Cyclic Voltammetry. Electrochemical deposition. Dip coating and spin coating. Mechanical characterizations. Optical and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) characterization of surfaces.

Requirements: The candidate should have a background in one or more of the following fields: Material Science, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Bioengineering or Physics. Programming experience is highly appreciated.

Contacts: Dr. Davide Ricci: davide.ricci at iit.it <mailto:davide.ricci at iit.it> - Dr. Elisa Castagnola: elisa.castagnola at iit.it <mailto:elisa.castagnola at iit.it> - Prof. Luciano Fadiga: luciano.fadiga at iit.it <mailto:luciano.fadiga at iit.it>
 

B) Functional investigation of innovative neural interfaces

Evidences show that using electrophysiological techniques is possible to extract information about brain processes and then translate these signals into commands that could be used to recover the lost capabilities. The purpose of the project is to investigate the in-vivo performance of novel devices - both in-house developed or obtained from collaborating laboratories - with a focus on i) enhanced capability to record neural signals; ii) large charge transfer capability to enhance the stimulation performance and iii) small size to minimize inflammatory reaction and gliosis. The candidate will be involved in the development of a stable and functional interface between living neural tissue and probes in rat model.

Techniques: in-vivo single-unit recording and epicortical recording  , histological techniques and image analysis, microscopy techniques and data analysis.

Requirements: The candidate should have a background in one or more of the following fields: biology, medicine, pharmacology or related disciplines. Programming experience is appreciated but not mandatory. Familiarity with electrophysiological and/or microscopy techniques is of advantage.

Contacts: Dr. Emma Maggiolini: emma.maggiolini at iit.it <mailto:emma.maggiolini at iit.it> - Prof. Luciano Fadiga: luciano.fadiga at iit.it <mailto:luciano.fadiga at iit.it>

C) Animal neurophysiology investigation of sensorimotor functions

The discovery of mirror and canonical neurons in monkey premotor and parietal cortex motivated a number of studies on how sensorimotor transformations in the brain may support understanding of action performed by conspecifics. This still constitute a fundamental area of research which is necessary to unravel the basic mechanisms of sensorimotor sharing during social interaction. The candidate working in this core area will investigate, in animal models, the neuronal activity of different (motor and somatosensory) cortical regions, pointing out their topographic organization as well as their role during observation, planning and execution of particular motor acts.

Techniques: multidisciplinary approach involving behavioral testing, electrophysiological techniques (intracortical microstimulation, single-unit recording, field potentials recording, electromyography) and histological evaluations.

Requirements: The candidate must have a background in the biological fields (biology, medicine, pharmacy and similar). At the end of the three-year period, the Ph.D. student will obtain deep knowledge and experience on in vivo neuroscience.

Contacts: Dr. Riccardo Viaro: riccardo.viaro at iit.it <mailto:riccardo.viaro at iit.it> - Prof. Luciano Fadiga: luciano.fadiga at iit.it <mailto:luciano.fadiga at iit.it>

D) Brain- and multimodal signal- based speech recognition

Our approach to speech recognition is an “analysis by synthesis” approach which assumes that in order to recognize speech we need to understand the causal process (i.e., the speech production process) that stems from brain activity and, through coordinated movements of the vocal tract articulators, produces speech sounds. Such approach is largely motivated by work on speech perception carried out at CTNSC and serves two goals. The first goal is to build automatic speech recognition systems that, as humans do, work in very challenging scenarios (e.g., in the so called “cocktail party” scenario) and are able to learn how to recognize speech without relying on huge amount of carefully annotated speech data (as opposed to “data hungry” current recognition systems). The second goal is to recognize speech from one or more modalities that are within the speech production process, e.g., from brain signal or from visual and kinematic signals of the face and the vocal tract.

Techniques: Machine learning, deep neural network, multimodal signal processing.

Requirements: The successful candidate will have a degree in computer science bioengineering, physics or related disciplines. A background in machine learning and in speech and language processing.

Contacts: Dr. Leonardo Badino: leonardo.badino at iit.it <mailto:leonardo.badino at iit.it> - Prof. Luciano Fadiga: luciano.fadiga at iit.it <mailto:luciano.fadiga at iit.it>

E) Human Neurophysiology investigation of speech and communication abilities by means of micro-electrocorticography

Historically, the study of speech processing has emphasized a strong link between auditory perceptual input and motor production output. The main aim of this area is to describe the neural systems involved in this sensorimotor representation linking speech perception and production. To this purpose, we use high-density surface microelectrodes for electrocorticography (micro-ECoG) to record electrical signals directly from the cortical surface in patients during awake surgery for low-grade glioma resection. Micro-ECoG is an important electrophysiological signal recording technique that combines high temporal resolution with good spatial localization.

Techniques: Micro-ECoG, direct brain electrical stimulation, functional electrical mapping.

Requirements: Applicants are expected to have a degree in biomedical engineering or basic/applied/health sciences. Requirements include a knowledge of neural signal processing and/or neuroimaging skills.

Contact: Dr. Luciano Simone: luciano.simone at iit.it <mailto:luciano.simone at iit.it> - Prof. Luciano Fadiga: luciano.fadiga at iit.it <mailto:luciano.fadiga at iit.it>

F) Human Neurophysiology investigation of speech and sensorimotor communication abilities by means of non-invasive techniques

The neural mechanisms underlying speech and sensorimotor communication abilities, during real-life social encounters are mostly unknown. In the classic motor control frame of reference, individuals can be conceived as proactively building models of their action and of their sensory consequence. During interaction, these sensorimotor models can be extended to the social space whereby the control signal becomes the negotiated behavior of other people. The candidate will help in mapping the brain activities responsible for the emergence of such a shared behavior, in the domain of speech (phonological level) or action (upper arm movements). These experiments will inform the next generation of biologically inspired automatic communication recognition systems, essential to augment natural human-human coordination and promote the future of efficient human-robot interaction.

Techniques: Electroencephalography (EEG), Electromyography (EMG), body motion kinematics (MoCap), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), transcranial Direct (tDCs) and Alternate (tACs) current stimulation.

Requirements: The successful candidate will have a background in neuroscience, experimental psychology, computer science or engineering. Programming skills as well as a strong interest in cognitive neuroscience are fundamental. Electroencephalographic and kinematic data analyses skills are a plus.

Contact: Dr. Alessandro D’Ausilio: alessandro.dausilio at iit.it <mailto:alessandro.dausilio at iit.it> - Prof. Luciano Fadiga: luciano.fadiga at iit.it <mailto:luciano.fadiga at iit.it>

Necessary skills for all applicants are: Strong team-work skills - Strong communication and English skills (written and oral) - Adaptability and problem solving - Creativity and scientific curiosity - Proactive attitude

The salary will be based on standards of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (c.a. 1250€/month; as a reference, rent for a studio apartment in the city center is 300-400€/month). For additional information, please contact the responsible person for the research line of interest and/or the CTNSC Director (Prof. Luciano Fadiga - luciano.fadiga at iit.it) <mailto:luciano.fadiga at iit.it)>.

 

DEADLINE: 5TH AUGUST 2016

 

CTNSC Info: https://www.iit.it/centers/ctnsc-unife <https://www.iit.it/centers/ctnsc-unife>
PhD page [ITA]: http://www.unife.it/studenti/dottorato/concorsi/ordinario <http://www.unife.it/studenti/dottorato/concorsi/ordinario>
How to participate to the selection [ITA/ENG]: http://www.unife.it/studenti/dottorato/modulistica/Guidaconcorso.pdf <http://www.unife.it/studenti/dottorato/modulistica/Guidaconcorso.pdf>
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