Bolsa de Investigação: ARDITI-MACBIOIDI2-2022-002

Job Summary:

A call is open for 1 (one) research assistant at the NeuroRehabLab - ARDITI (Funchal, Portugal), under the Project MACbioIDi2 - Contribuyendo a la cohesión e internacionalización de la Macaronesia para impulsarlos Objetivos del Desarrollo Sostenible con las TICs y la I+D+i biomédica (MAC2/1.1b/352), under the following conditions:

Job Description:

The ideal candidate would be student in the areas of computer science, electric, electronic or tele-communications engineer or a closely related discipline with background in one or more of the following fields: Game development, Human Computer Interaction, Signal processing.

Application Requirements:

Applicants should fulfill the following requirements:

- Bachelor degree in computer science, electric, electronic, biomedical or tele-communications engineering or other relevant disciplines for the project;

- The candidate must be enrolled in an academic degree course or in a non-degree programme.

- Strong oral and written English communication skills, people skills, the ability to work independently as well as a team member of the NeuroRehabLab (http://neurorehabilitation.m-iti.org/lab/) and taking the initiative and being proactive;

- Willingness to participate and lead End—User evaluations with healthy, elderly and patients.

Workplan:

This project combines the latest research findings for effective stroke rehabilitation together with novel biomedical systems for brain monitoring (EEG, fMRI) and VR biofeedback, providing simpler and effective neurorehabilitation solutions. The aim of this project is to develop a novel and more inclusive rehabilitation system with the use of novel ICT technologies, in order to overcome current limitations. This will be achieved by identifying the neural correlates of motor action during motor imagery through brain imaging (fMRI), and differences in brain activation with different training feedback protocols for formulating user-specific models that will be used later in neurofeedback rehabilitation sessions through immersive VR feedback. The socio-economic impact of such a system is significant, allowing for novel personalized and home-based eHealth solutions for all patients. Thus, also decreasing the financial burden in the national health system.

The main task for the accepted candidate will be to design clinical interventions using BCI-VR tools and support the research project with the development of Virtual Rehabilitation scenarios using BCIs applied to stroke, and related research tools.

The main tasks will consist of:

• Supporting the development of BCI-based virtual reality scenarios using the Unity game engine (https://unity3d.com/) for post stroke rehabilitation, with emphasis on the motor aspect.
• Creating study-designs for EEG-based experiments.
• Acquiring EEG (Electroencephalography) signals through the OpenVibe platform and analyzing physiological signals together with machine learning methods.
• Performing clinical interventions of virtual-reality-based platforms together with Brain-Computer Interfacing.
• Physiological Signal processing and Statistical data analysis mainly through Matlab (EEGLAB)
• Create fMRI protocol design and perform brain imaging under the supervision of specialized medical staff.

Workplace:

The work will be conducted in the NeuroRehabLab, ARDITI (Funchal, Portugal), under the supervision of Prof. Sergi Bermúdez i Badia.

Scholarship length:

The scholarship will have a length of 12 months (with the possibility of renewal), with an expected start date of May 1st, 2022.

Monthly stipend:

The student will receive a stipend of 875,98 €/month free of taxes.

ARDITI stipends and regulations are determined by ARDITI (https://cloud.arditi.pt/index.php/s/PQPMGEM6pjJ5R4i)..

How to apply:

Candidates must send their application by email to Este endereço de email está protegido contra piratas. Necessita ter o JavaScript autorizado para o visualizar. no later than 31-03-2022. The subject of the email should be ARDITI-MACBIOIDI2-2022-002.

The following elements should be included in the email:

1. Updated Curriculum Vitae.
2. Motivation letter explaining how the candidature fulfils the application requirements.
3. Proof of enrolment in a master’s degree, including the list of completed courses names and grades; or in a or in a university non-degree awarding programme
4. Certificate of completion of previous degree, including the course names and grades.
5. Optional list of projects (or previous experience) in the area will be a plus.

Selection Process:

The selection process will be based on:

• Motivation letter (10%)
• Curriculum Vitae (30%)
• Previous experience (20%)
• Interview (40%)

Recommendation letters are facultative but can contribute positively to the evaluation. Speaking and understanding Portuguese is strictly necessary as the candidate will collaborate with the local clinical partners and patients.

Selection Panel:

• Prof. Dr. Eduardo Fermé,
• Prof. Dr. Luís Ferreira,
• Prof. Dr. Sergi Bermúdez i Badia (President).

Notification of results:

All candidates will be notified by email.

Notes:

• The selection process will be based on the principle of non-discrimination in respect of gender, age, nationality, religion, racial group, or any other possible discriminatory issue. Selection will be made only based on merit and following the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Commission Recommendation, Brussels, 11.3.2005, 2005/251/EC) and the recommendations from the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).
• ARDITI is a recognized "refugee welcoming organisation" by the European Commission, follows the European Charter for Researchers and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.
• The deadline for application may be extended at any time without previous notice having in mind the requirements for the positions under this call.