比利时卢万大学招聘婴儿大脑发育方向博士后

For the Research Group Experimental Oto-rhino-laryngology we are looking for a PhD researcher
 

Description

The research group of Experimental Otorhinolaryngology (ExpORL), Dept. Neurosciences is one of the many research groups of KU Leuven, the University of Leuven. Leuven is located in the centre of Belgium, in the heart of Europe. We are looking for PhD-students to work on research projects on auditory processing and hearing research In these studies we focus on the chain of auditory modelling, signal processing, simulation, psychophysical tests, auditory perception, electro-physiological measurements, imaging, lab-implementation, and evaluation with normal hearing subjects and hearing impaired with/without hearing aids or cochlear implants. Also large populations of children, teenagers and adults with/without (risk for) dyslexia have been investigated. Intensive research has led to fundamental knowledge about hearing with hearing instruments. Based on these studies, our knowledge and understanding of auditory processing has been significantly expanded and new signal processing strategies have been developed that are now used worldwide in the most recent cochlear implant systems and hearing aids. Also, diagnostic and evaluation strategies have been developed that are clinically applied We are presently involved in 4 major EU research projects: 3 ITN (1 with Prof. van Wieringen as coordinator) and 1 ERC (starting grant Prof. Francart) Our lab consists of a team of 3 professors, 4 postdoc and 22 PhD researchers, and is exquisitely interdisciplinary: engineers, audiologists, speech therapists, psychologists, ... We have state of the art infrastructure, including acoustical test rooms, artificial ears and head, test platforms (hardware and software) for psychophysical and electrophysiological research, research with cochlear implants and hearing aids, EEG measurement systems, MRI systems (UZ Leuven), ... Deafness in babies impedes the normal development of a functional auditory system. Cochlear implantation (CI) at very young age (often before 12 months of age), as compared to implantation at later ages, can restore audition up to good levels of speech perception and language development. This project aims at quantifying the maturation of brain activity in young children after restored auditory stimulation through cochlear implants. Using state-of-the-art EEG-based brain research tools (ASSR) and new statistical methods the possibility of n=1 longitudinal analyses will be investigated.  As MRI and MEG are not commonly applicable in CI-children, Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR) measures (from the EEG) will be used to investigate the maturation of the cortical networks involved in hearing with cochlear implants, and comparison with normal hearing. ASSR allow to study the development of connectivity and cortical activation from the brainstem to the cortex, depending on the modulation frequencies. ASSR to modulations 2-20Hz are a model for coding of... For more information see https://
 

Benefits

Exciting auditory and imaging brain research in neurodevelopmental disordersA PhD-title after 4 years of research A thorough scientific education, the possibility to become a world-class researcher Membership of world-renowned labs, as part of a motivated interdisciplinary teamMembership of KU Leuven, one of the largest research universities of EuropeA competitive salary and additional resources to take part in international conferences  and collaborations
 

Additional Job Details

Reference number BAP-2015-45 Requirements A Master degree in audiology, engineering, physics, experimental psychology, cognitive sciences or related disciplines  An interest in brain development and auditory processing An inquisitive and creative mind, good problem solving skills Very good English proficiency, willingness to learn Dutch Good Dutch proficiency is a benefit  Knowledge of human neurophysiology and psychology of hearing is a benefit not have lived in Belgium for more than 12 months during the last 3 years; this is due to emphasis on mobility in the ETN projects For more information please contact Prof. dr. Jan Wouters, tel.: +32 16 33 04 75, mail: jan.wouters@med.kuleuven.be. You can apply for this job no later than 30/09/2015 via the online application tool