Bolsa de Investigação: ARDITI/MACBIOIDI2/2022/003

Job Description:

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

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 a non-degree programme.
• Previous experience in Unity development and Eyetracking
• 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.

Work plan:

This project combines the latest research findings for brain mapping during awake brain surgery (ABS) for tumor resection together with novel biomedical systems (Electromiography - EMG), sensor technology (eye tracking) and immersive virtual reality (VR) (HTC VIVE).

Brain mapping during ABS is a standard procedure for increasing the extent of tumors resection, reducing the risk of neurologic deficits. There are several tests for language assessment. There is a need for the development of tests to assess other cognitive functions but also emotional recognition and responsiveness. VR technology offers the opportunity to develop innovative tasks for complex cognitive and emotional functions mapping and was recently considered safe and with promising efficacy.

CogMap project aims to enhance the reliability of this neurosurgical procedure and long-term patient outcome by developing, in collaboration with neuropsychology and neurosurgery experts, a system with different cognitive and emotion related paradigms implemented in a VR headset.

The main task for the accepted candidate will be to develop an immersive experience with emotional recognition and responsiveness tasks – the EmotionMap.

The main tasks will consist of:

1. Develop the VR tasks in Unity (https://unity3d.com/) and implement into a VR headset (HTC VIVE Pro Eye).
2. Acquiring emteqPRO electromyogram signals through its application and analyzing them during VR tasks performance. This is useful for measuring emotion responsiveness upon the presentation of emotional stimulus with different valence.
3. Enable the interaction with the VR tasks with the eye-tracking and provide external visualization about the patient visual search strategy.

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 3 months (non-renewable), with an expected start date of August 1st, 2022.

Monthly stipend:

The student will receive a stipend of 486,12 €/month free of taxes. ARDITI stipends and regulations are determined by ARDITI (https://cloud.arditi.pt/index.php/s/wJGZEAJWaQx6wcx?dir=undefined&path=%2FRegulamentos%2FBolsas&openfile=24051256).

How to apply:

Candidates must send their application by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., no later than 05-07-2022. The subject of the email should be: ARDITI/MACBIOIDI2/2022/003.

The following elements should be included in the email:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae.
• Motivation letter, explaining how the candidature fulfils the application requirements.
• Proof of enrolment in a bachelor's degree, including the list of completed courses names and grades; or in a or in a university non-degree awarding programme
• Certificate of completion of previous degree, including the course names and grades.
• 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 (20%)
• Previous experience (30%)
• In case of multiple candidates - 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. Ana Lúcia Faria, 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.