Post-doc position offer (ref: INSERM-SIGPROC)
Assessment of weak electric field effects on brain activity from processing of electrophysiological signals

Context.

Epilepsy refers to a neurological disorder that affects about 1% of the general population. Recent findings indicate that non-invasive brain transcranial current stimulation (tCS) is safe and of therapeutic promise in epilepsy. However, it is not yet indicated as a standard treatment due to major scientific limitations: unknown mechanisms of action, insufficient account for patient-specific factors, poor understanding of short- and long-term effects. The ambition of the GALVANI Project (ERC-SyG 2019; 2020-26) is to transform the care of a large fraction of patients living with drug-resistant epilepsies by solving a fundamental problem: to efficiently target and control large-scale epileptic brain networks with tCS- induced neuromodulatory weak electric fields (https://www.galvani-lab.eu/).

Rationale.

It is now admitted that tCS has an impact on brain activity, regardless of the specific application (cognitive science or clinics). In the context of epilepsy, progress must still be made in the quantification of immediate (acute) and lasting (short- or long-term) effects of neuromodulatory processes induced by weak electric fields. This quantification is key to design optimal therapeutic protocols.

Objective.

The objective of the proposed research position is to design methods to assess the impact of tCS-induced electric fields on brain activity from electrophysiological data.

Methods.

Signal processing methods will be developed to detect and quantify epileptic activity (interictal, pre-ictal and ictal), as recorded in experimental models of epilepsy (in vivo, mouse, LFPs) as well as in human (EEG, SEEG). They will be implemented in a user-friendly environment allowing for use by non- experimented personals. Developments will also include methods aimed at computing functional brain connectivity from scalp EEG signals. Signal processing methods will be complemented by statistical methods aimed at assessing pre-/post-tCS effects. Signals to be processed will include simulated data from neuro-inspired models, human SEEG/EEG, human simultaneous SEEG/EEG/tCS and mouse LFPs (KA, Fe-Cl models). Advanced signal processing/statistical methods will be developed in C and/or Python. Strong background is already available (https://perso.univ-rennes1.fr/fabrice.wendling/).

Scientific environment.

GALVANI involves three partners: LTSI-Inserm (Rennes), AMU-APHM (Marseille)and Neuroelectrics (Barcelona). It is intended to develop the next generation of brain stimulation solutions. GALVANI can be viewed as a distributed lab (Rennes-Barcelona-Marseille) working under a common policy to ensure coherence of research and intense collaboration and cross-fertilization. Fellows will be co- supervised in a unique, shared environment with exposure to science, technology and clinical experience.

Candidate profile.

The research project is at the interface between biomathematics (neuro-inspired models), biophysics (electric field models), and neuroscience/neurology (epilepsy). The Post-doc fellow (PhD level) will preferably have a strong background in signal processing or in electrical engineering with experience in bio-signal processing. Knowledge in electrophysiology and/or EEG analysis would be an asset. The post-doc fellow will join a multidisciplinary team including research scientists in biomedical engineering, neurophysiological modeling, bio-physics, signal processing, electrophysiology, neurology.

Contract

The position will be opened March. 1st, 2020. The contract is for 3 years with possible extension (1 year). The competitive salary will be according to experience (2300 Euros net, minimum). The candidate will also have access to the French system benefits.

Location in the city of Rennes, France. LTSI-Inserm laboratory, University of Rennes. In addition, the post- doc fellow will have the opportunity to perform visits and to actively collaborate with engineers, researchers and clinicians of the Marseille & Barcelona groups.

Contact (please provide resume, cover letter and email of 2 references) Fabrice Wendling (DR Inserm, LTSI, France) Email: fabrice.wendling@inserm.fr

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Tagged as: EEG