Institute of Information Systems (IIS), University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Sierre, Switzerland

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Radiology Department & University Service of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Applications are invited for 1 PhD position and 1 research assistant/postdoctoral position (open rank) under the supervision of Dr. Paul Matusz on the project “Understanding the role of attention in visual rehabilitation: Amblyopia as a model” funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation Ambizione programme. The project uses a combination of ophthalmology, psychophysics, eye-tracking and EEG in school-age children with amblyopia (“lazy-eye syndrome”) and healthy children. Its aim is to provide much- needed insights into the role of sensory, perceptual and attentional brain mechanisms in the aetiology as well as recovery of functional vision skills like reading and more basic skills (3D vision, visual acuity) in children with lazy eye. The project will capitalize on synergies across the latest advances in ophthalmology, cognitive neuroscience and experimental psychology, and test promising novel treatments grounded in the latest advances in vision rehabilitation and cognitive neuroscience.

The project will reach its aim by achieving 3 main objectives:

1. Identify the core sensory, cortical and cognitive deficits of paediatric amblyopia,
2. Verify the efficacy of game platforms in rehabilitating functional vision in amblyopia, and
3. Establish the relative importance of sensory and cortical-cognitive processes in mediating functional vision recovery in paediatric amblyopia.

The successful applicants will 

1. be fluent in speaking and writing in French and 
2. have experience with testing pre-school and/or school-age children and/or clinical populations and have a strong background in cognitive neuroscience of attention, object perception and/or multisensory processing as well as experience with using neuroimaging/electroencephalography techniques.

The ideal candidates will also hold or be in the course of obtaining a Master’s degree in experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience or a related discipline. They should also have a demonstrated capacity for data analysis and scientific writing. Expertise in programming, mathematical modelling, and advanced statistical analyses would be highly desirable.

This project is part of a new interdisciplinary resaerch initiative between the HES-SO and University of Lausanne with synergies across neuroscience, neuro-technology, neuro-ophthalmology, and neuro- rehabilitation to improve the diagnosis and rehabilitation of sensory disorders. The IIS at the HES-SO is unique in Switzerland by being dedicated to integrating new technology and data approaches in the service of innovation in economy and medicine. The Institute puts emphasis on knowledge and technology transfer between academia and the industry, possessing internationally recognised expertise across such areas as machine learning and artificial intelligence, software engineering, medical data security and management and Semantic Web. The student will split his/her time between HES-SO and CHUV, allowing them to develop a wide range of skills via close interactions with clinicians, computer scientists, neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, biomedical engineers and vision rehabilitation practitioners.

These are a full-time posts and the preferred start date is 1st January 2019 or as soon as can be arranged. Contracts are for a fixed term of 12 months with the possibility of renewal up to a total duration of 48 months. Estimated gross salary is in the range of approximately 40-50kCHF per annum, and is determined in accordance with regulations of the Swiss National Science Foundation. Applications must include a motivation letter, CV, preprints/reprints, as well as references from at least 2 individuals. Application materials should be sent electronically to Dr. Paul Matusz (Pawel.matusz@gmail.com). Informal inquiries can likewise be addressed to Dr. Matusz.

The PhD student would be enrolled in the Lemanic Neuroscience Doctoral Program of the University of Lausanne. Applicants must also complete matriculation procedures for the doctoral school at the university of Lausanne. Details can be found here: https://www.unil.ch/ecoledoctoralefbm/registration 

Evaluation of application will begin the 1st of November 2018 until the positions are filled.

Tagged as: Cognition