Cherish_Dc4: Head Movement Explorations On Spatial Hearing (Sh): Role Of Spatial Dynamic Cues

10 Nov 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company

Université Claude Bernard Lyon1

Department

Lyon Ingénierie Projets

Research Field

Psychological sciences » Behavioural sciences

Medical sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

30 Apr 2024 - 17:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101120054

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Spatial hearing is critical for orientation in space and navigation. It furthermore helps to selectively direct attention to relevant sound cues in complex acoustic situations. The loss of spatial hearing as a result of deafness not only leads to a reduced quality of life, but also contributes to potential danger in everyday situations. The PhD project is part of the multidisciplinary MSCA Doctoral Network ' CherISH ', C oc h l e a rI mplants and S patial H earing (CORDIS; CherISH website ), that combines approaches from medicine, biomedical engineering and psychology to optimally improve the restoration of hearing after deafness by combining next generation's cochlear implant (CI) technology with innovative rehabilitation approaches.

Specifically, this PhD project aims to determine the contribution of spatial dynamic cues generated by active explorations to auditory rehabilitation protocols. Our prediction is that the combination of both head- and hand- movement on the same object will promote SH training. In order to test this hypothesis, the impact of head-movements and hand-movements strategies on auditory rehabilitation protocols will be investigated in patients in whom auditory cues are limited (patients with hearing aids) or compromised (normal hearing subject with altered auditory abilities). Furthermore, the project will examine to what extent these acquired regulatory skills entailing head- and hand-movements could transfer to more naturalistically-valid context reproduced in virtual reality (e.g., searching for sounds in complex audio- visual environments).

The doctoral student will employ a psychophysical approach using the virtual reality system 'SPHERE' developed by our group (see Gaveau et al., 2022) used for the assessment and training spatial hearing (SH) skills. The student will actively participate in the development of experimental protocols in VR to assess the contribution of spatial dynamic information to SH performance. He will collaborate in establishing and administering the protocols that will be conducted with normal-hearing subjects, subjects with altered auditory abilities, and patients with cochlear implants CI.

For this project, we are seeking a doctoral student who will demonstrate their determination to complete this project while having (1) significant collaborative abilities with partners of varied expertise (engineers, medical and paramedical staff, team research members), (2) facility in managing technical interfaces, and (3) the capacity to propose and defend innovative ideas. We expect a candidate with a strong background in neuroscience and prior experience in behavioral research (protocol development in Human). Additionally, good knowledge of kinematic approaches and programming (especially in R) for signal processing is also expected. Additional knowledge in audiology would be a plus. The doctoral candidate will be required to actively and closely interact with the other local doctoral candidate (DC5) and within the entire doctoral network of the CHERISH project. The candidate will benefit from exchanges with other project partners and from secondments, sharing their individual experiences and knowledge.

The doctoral candidate will interact with French-speaking protocol participants (communication with participants may be assisted by a clinical research associate) and he will be required to use virtual reality and behavioral interfaces to conduct the protocols.

Recent open access research publications related to this position: https: // www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9587935/

Requirements

Research Field

Psychological sciences » Behavioural sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Psychological sciences » Cognitive science

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Neurosciences » Other

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Engineering » Biomedical engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The PhD candidate will be responsible for developing new protocols, testing their internal validity, and proposing these protocols to both healthy subjects and patients. Therefore, the candidate must be able to propose innovative solutions in light of technological advancements (especially in virtual reality but also in behavioral acquisition systems) and current scientific literature. He must be rigorous in the protocol validation steps (e.g., thorough examination of pilot data) and extremely diligent in the administration of protocols, particularly with patients, whose collaboration is governed by French law (Jardet law).

In addition to these skills, the candidate should possess strong communication skills (as they will need to interact with experts from various fields), curiosity (as they will be expected to propose innovative solutions), and empathy (as they will collaborate with patients). Furthermore, he will actively participate in the life of the Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (see https: // www. crnl.fr/fr/page-base/vie-etudiante), so it is expected that the candidate will respond positively to requests from the Center.

We expect the candidate to have a solid scientific background, preferably in behavioral neuroscience with a focus on sensory-motor plasticity studies. Knowledge in the fields of rehabilitation medicine will also be highly valued. Skills in behavioral signal analysis (e.g., kinematics), programming, and statistical analysis (using R, for example) are highly desired for this position.

As the MSCA program is based on collaboration and exchanges among European teams with diverse backgrounds, the candidate is expected to collaborate on their project with other teams within the program. This collaboration is enhanced by the mobility of all doctoral students in the project. Therefore, the candidate will be the ambassador of their host team, and it is expected that they demonstrate an open-minded attitude to interact positively with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information

Benefits

You will receive a 3-year full-time employment contract, enrolled in a PhD program. The salary is in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Doctoral Researchers and the exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor applied by EU. The salary includes a living, mobility, and family allowance (if applicable). “Family” is understood to be people linked to the researcher by marriage (or by a relationship with a state equivalent to marriage recognized by the legislation of the country where this relationship was formalized) or dependent children who are supported by the researcher. The family relationship and/or dependence of children with the researcher must be accredited by official document. (for more information see here https: // marie-

sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks)

The host team for the doctoral candidate (Impact Team) belongs to the Lyon Neurosciences Research Centre (CRNL). The CRNL is structured in 14 teams and 9 platforms located in a unique site combining medical care, basic and clinical research, and high-tech technological platforms. The Impact host team maintains very close scientific collaborations with the ENT services of the Hospices Civils de Lyon, and participates actively in training activities at the University Claude Bernard of Lyon (local Graduate Training Center of Neuroscience, Doctoral program), and the international and intersectorial CherISH network (CherISH website – coming soon).

You will travel for 2 planned secondments, annual meetings, workshops and national/international conferences.

Work-life balance in a middle-sized university city offering options for outdoor, sport & cultural activities

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applications from Doctoral Researcher candidates fulfilling the following criteria:

Not having already received a PhD or equivalent degree by any institution ; researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.

They can be of any nationality but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. Time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention (1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol), compulsory national service, and/or short stays such as holidays are not considered.

They must also be eligible to work in France according to regulations (e.g. visa requirements), and also to travel/work in other European countries for collaborations/secondments and trainings;

They must meet the entry requirements for PhD enrolment in the Claude Bernard University of Lyon. They must hold a 2nd Level Master Degree in life sciences (neuroscience, neurobiology, biomedical engineering or closely related fields).

Being proficient in English (a minimum of B2 level or equivalent is desirable) and agreeing to use such language both for work and for any other official matter, including the selection process.

Must be available to enrol full-time in the PhD program at UT early Sept 2024.

Are aware of and adhere to the principles set out in the Commission Recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers.

Agreeing to undertake the PhD training program associated to this position, in case they are selected;

Agreeing to move to Lyon area (France) for the entire duration of the contract, in case they are selected.

Agreeing to travel for the 2 secondments (6 weeks each) planned at project partners (other countries).

Selection process

Applications must be sent by email to [email protected]

In the Subject of the email, please write “CherISH- PhD candidate Application – Project DC4”

Applications must be in English. Each applicant can apply to a maximum of three individual research projects. The application consists of (PDF):

CV (including publications if any);

1-page motivation letter;

Recommendation letters (min 2 ; max 3)

Be aware that official transcripts of any degree achieved, preferably including average or final marks and explanation of the related assessment scale or criterion (mandatory for the main graduate degree, optional for the others) will be required for the enrolment in the University/PhD program; All documents must be in French or English. Any translations must be certified.

Additional comments

Evaluation of the applications based on eligibility criteria

Assessment on paper of qualifications and activities by the Selection committee

Online-interview for the selected candidates

The selection of the Doctoral Researcher candidates will be carried out in compliance with the general rules for HE- MSCA projects and will be based just on individual merit.

The selection process will be entirely carried out in English.

Be aware that you application could be transferred to another Partner of the Consortium CherISH.

A Selection Committee consisting of 3 members and 1 observer was appointed by the CherISH Consortium for the evaluation of the application of the candidates for Subproject 1.

Applications which do not meet the minimal prerequisites listed in the

Specific Requirements section, or which are not submitted according to the procedure specified in the Offer Description section, or which are received after the submission deadline has expired, will be rejected.

The Selection Committee will send proper acknowledgement for each incoming submission.

Whenever necessary, it will be also entitled to ask the candidates to provide any further document, information or clarification deemed useful to properly complete the assessment process.

Personal data will be stored for the purpose of carrying out the application procedure. Application costs cannot be reimbursed.

Questions and Answers:

For more information about the project (not the recruitment process), please write an email to [email protected]

Are you interested? Please hand in your application to [email protected]

Website for additional job details

https: // euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/159007

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

CRNL - IMPACT Team

Country

France

City

Bron

Postal Code

69500

Street

16 avenue du Doyen Lépine

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

VILLEURBANNE Cedex

Website

https:// www. univ-lyon1.fr

https: // www. crnl.fr/

Street

Bd André Latarjet

Postal Code

69100

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED