Three PhD positions for a collaborative project in human somatosensory neuroscience

Project title 

Integration of somatosensory submodalities for grip and touch

Project description

This multidisciplinary human neuroscience project will explore how tactile mechanosensory, thermosensory and proprioceptive inputs integrate during tactile exploration and haptic manipulation. Specific aims will be (1) to characterize and model the biomechanical and thermal interactions between manipulated objects and the skin, (2) to evaluate the sensory encoding properties of tactile mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors and proprioceptors and (3) to probe the cortical processes involved in thermosensory, mechanosensory and proprioceptive integration using a combination of psychophysical experiments, microneurography studies and electroencephalography (EEG) experiments in healthy human volunteers. The project will have implications for the design of haptic interfaces, virtual reality setups and hand prostheses integrating haptic feedback. 

Host institution

This collaborative project will be hosted at the UCLouvain Institute of Neuroscience (Brussels, Belgium; http://uclouvain.be/ions). It will be coordinated by three principal investigators.

André Mouraux (http://nocions.org) is a neurologist and neuroscientist with expertise in thermonociception and EEG. Philippe Lefèvre (https://perso.uclouvain.be/philippe.lefevre) and Benoît Delhaye (https://delhayeben.github.io/) are engineers and neuroscientists working in the field of motor control and sensorimotor coordination. 

Open positions

Three PhD positions (3x48 months) are available to perform this research project. Starting date is flexible, from October 2024.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in medicine, neuroscience, engineering, biomedical sciences, psychology or equivalent.
• Ability to work in a laboratory environment, interest in human neuroscience research, passion for experimental research.
• Analysis skills and an analytical mind-set
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient in both spoken and written English.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team.
• Ability to engage in interdisciplinary research and technological areas.
• Computer programming and or statistical skills are an asset.

Application

Applications should be sent by email to andre.mouraux@uclouvain.be as a single PDF document including: (1) a motivation letter, (2) a CV detailing their academic and professional background and their research experiences, and (3) at least one letter of recommendation from the master thesis promoter, internship supervisor or other.

Please contact andre.mouraux@uclouvain.be for additional information.