Post-doc position offer (ref: INSERM-EFBIOPHYS)
Biophysical models of weak electric fields induced by brain stimulation

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). Both tCS-induced immediate (acute) and lasting (short- or long-term) effects of neuromodulatory processes depend on the spatial distribution of weak electric fields generated by stimulating electrodes. The accurate of quantification E-Fields is key to design optimal therapeutic protocols.

Objective.

The objective of the proposed research position is to design models for accurate estimation of the spatial distribution of tCS-induced electric fields as well as models of the coupling between E-Fields and neurons / neuronal assemblies. These models will be used for optimization of tCS effects.

Methods.

Bio-physical models of current propagation will be built for both invasive and non-invasive stimulating electrodes positioned either within the brain or at the surface of the head, respectively. For invasive stimulation, simple models will be considered. For scalp electrodes, realistic models will be developed. These models will involve segmentation of MRI data to build high-resolution meshes of the different head tissues as well as the whole head. tCS virtual electrodes will also be represented into the models. The electric fields resulting from various electrode montages will be computed using multi-physics software packages. In addition, biophysical models will also be developed to describe the coupling between E-Fields, neurons (polarization) and networks of neurons. Models will be developed in C and/or Python. Software packages will include Comsol, Ansys, SimNIBS, among others.

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 bio-physics 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