Open positions

Project background

We seek to elucidate the neuronal mechanisms of motivation. This project aims to develop a biofeedback procedure to induce motivation for cognitive and motor effort in healthy and stroke subjects. To this end, we will record the neuronal activation of motivation and effort electrophysiologically, using high-density EEG. 

Job description

The successful candidate will carry out three experiments with neurotypical subjects and neurological patients.The PhD project includes:

• Implementation of a cognitive and motor task-based reward paradigm.
• Hands-on data acquisition of high-density EEG and heart rate measurements.
• Development of new study designs and participant recruitment.
• Advanced signal processing.
• Dissemination of research findings through scientific publications and presentations.

Profile

We are looking for a candidate with:

• A Master’s degree (or nearing completion) in neuroscience, psychology, neurophysiology, biomedical engineering, health sciences and technology, or a related field.
• Strong interest in technical skills, particularly in programming (e.g., Matlab, Python) and data analysis.
• Experience with EEG is desirable.
• Strong communication skills, scientific and creative reasoning, and a very collaborative spirit.
• Structured, reliable, proactive and well-organized personality.
• Fluency in German and English.
• Strong interest and aptitude to work with vulnerable populations.
• Flexibility to travel to Vienna and international conferences.

Workplace

Neurology Department of the University Hospital of Zurich.

We offer

A PhD position (~4 years) in a great scientific and social environment at world leading Universities. The PhD project is a collaboration between the Neuroscience of Cognition and Motivation in Rehabilitation Lab (NeuroCoRe) at the University and University Hospital of Zurich (Department of Medicine)/Lake Lucern University Institute, the Methods of Plasticity research Lab at the University of Zurich (Psychology Department) and the Motivational Psychology Lab at the University of Vienna (Psychology Department).

The candidate will be affiliated to the University of Zurich and enrolled in the International PhD program at the Neuroscience Center Zurich (Zentrum für Neurowissenschaften (ZNZ)).

This PhD project is a great opportunity to work with neurotypical populations as well as with neurological patients, building up a diverse and implementation-focused behavioural, neuroimaging and cardiological portfolio in translational motivation research.

We value diversity

The NeuroCoRe Lab fully adheres to the diversity policy of the University of Zurich (https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/explore/basics/responsibility/diversity.html)

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your application in one PDF via email with the following documents until 1 December 2024:

• Curriculum Vitae including educational history, full list of publications, awards, etc.
• Research motivation statement of max. two A4 pages covering your interests, goals, experiences, and how they would relate to and fit in with proposed research domain and activities
• Diplomas
• Names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of at least two references, mentioning for each of them the professional relationship you have with them

Starting date: January 2025 (or upon mutual agreement)

Application documents sent to lorebillie.legrand@uzh.ch

UZH website.

USZ website

Contact: L.Legrand

Project infos: Projects

We are currently recruiting interns for the set up of the platform. 

Contact: L.Legrand

Project info:Projects