[Eeglablist] Call for application to funding for a phd in Environmental Neuroscience, Amiens, France

[harold.mouras at u-picardie.fr]

Dear all,

The Laboratoire de Neurosciences Fonctionnelles et Pathologies (UR-UPJV 4559, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France,) is launching a call for applications for the ADEME (French Agency for Ecological Transition) and Région Hauts-de-France 2025 thesis funding campaign.

Thesis title: Postural and neural responses to environmental pollution according to subject immersion

Summary of thesis topic: For over 10 years now, posturography has shown its relevance in helping to characterize the neural processes involved in the processing of socio-affective information. This feasibility was demonstrated, for example, in the model of empathy for pain. More recently, echoing the growing environmental concerns in our contemporary societies, this technique has been used to apprehend the cognitive and emotional processes involved in perceiving environmental scenes according to their (i) valence and (ii) degree of pollution. Recently, the feasibility of joint measurement of EEG and posturography has been demonstrated. Furthermore, the degree of immersion of the subject appears to be a major cognitive process for the control and regulation of these responses. In this project, we aim to manipulate this immersion in the model of environmental visual perception (a model in which immersion appears to be particularly at work) either on a “cognitive” level via the instruction given to the subject (to imagine himself as an actor in the scene shown), or on a “perceptual” level via the use of immersive presentation devices (curved screen and virtual reality headset). This project should contribute to improving the decision-making involved in environmental policies.

Related publications :

1. Akounach, M., Lelard, T., Beaumont, A., Granon, S., and Mouras, H. (2022). Postural correlates of pollution perception. Brain Sciences, 12(7), 869.

2. Beaumont, A., Lelard, T., Mouras, H., and Granon, S. (2020). Evoked pleasure and approach-avoidance in response to pollution. Plos one, 15(6), e0234210.

3. Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., nd Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological science, 19(12), 1207-1212.

4. Lelard, T., Godefroy, O., Ahmaidi, S., Krystkowiak, P., nd Mouras, H. (2017). Mental simulation of painful situations has an impact on posture and psychophysiological parameters. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 2012.

5. Sawe, N., nd Knutson, B. (2015). Neural valuation of environmental resources. Neuroimage, 122, 87-95.

6. Ulrich, R. S. (1983). Aesthetic and affective response to natural environment. In Behavior and the natural environment (pp. 85-125). Boston, MA: Springer US.

7. Vonesch, A., Duhot, C., Lelard, T., Léonard, G., Błażkiewicz, M., nd Mouras, H. (2023). Non-Linear Measures of Postural Control in Response to Painful and Non-Painful Visual Stimuli. Entropy, 25(11), 1561.

8. Yan, L., Winterbottom, D., nd Liu, J. (2023). Towards a “Positive Landscape”: An Integrated Theoretical Model of Landscape Preference Based on Cognitive Neuroscience. Sustainability, 15(7), 6141.

How to apply: Send a single PDF document containing your CV, a cover letter detailing your relevant experience, your interest in this project, your career plans, your Master's transcripts and any other documents that demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the areas covered by the thesis project to harold.mouras at u-picardie.fr by February 15, 2025.

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Harold Mouras
Professor of Neuroscience
Functional Neuroscience and Pathology Laboratory (LNFP) EA 4559
CHU Amiens Picardie - Site Sud
Center Universitaire de Recherche en Santé (CURS Building)
Avenue René Laënnec
80054 Amiens Cedex 1