[Eeglablist] Looking for PhD applications in FI-STEP call for AI applied to Neurotechnology in Barcelona (Spain)

[TORRALBA CUELLO, MIREIA]

Dear all,
We are looking for candidates to apply at the FI-STEP call for  a PhD in
Barcelona (Spain). Find the details below this lines. If you are
interested, do not hesitate to contact us.
Best regards

Mireia Torralba Cuello

Looking for PhD applications in FI-STEP call for AI applied to
Neurotechnology

We are looking for highly motivated candidates to apply at FI-STEP call to
develop a brain computer interface system that integrates
electroencephalographic data in virtual reality environments to detect
episodes of disorientation and provide guidance online.

Applications are invited for a full-time PhD position in the context of a
collaborative project between Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (*BIOCOM-SC
- Biologia Computacional i Sistemes Complexos*
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://futur.upc.edu/176490__;!!Mih3wA!FMMWBuimHJKR9MY5t9fdqLmfT8WJbJ8BPrVl40P13Lu_4ob8zP-Qtvh1l3D-jYLwDiK3NUQatdB-RCaVwwTTqjhbL3sbnHAY$ >, Physics Department) and Pompeu Fabra
University (*MULTISENSORY RESEARCH GROUP* <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mrg.upf.edu/__;!!Mih3wA!FMMWBuimHJKR9MY5t9fdqLmfT8WJbJ8BPrVl40P13Lu_4ob8zP-Qtvh1l3D-jYLwDiK3NUQatdB-RCaVwwTTqjhbL7Lrhrgj$ > at the
Engineering Department). The candidate will apply to a *FI-STEP 2025
scholarship*
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://agaur.gencat.cat/en/beques-i-ajuts/convocatories-per-temes/Ajuts-per-a-la-contractacio-de-personal-investigador-predoctoral-en-formacio-dins-dels-ambits-de-les-tecnologies-STEP-FI-STEP__;!!Mih3wA!FMMWBuimHJKR9MY5t9fdqLmfT8WJbJ8BPrVl40P13Lu_4ob8zP-Qtvh1l3D-jYLwDiK3NUQatdB-RCaVwwTTqjhbLy3Ux2ft$ >
with
the support and  supervision of Salvador Soto-Faraco (UPF) and Mireia
Torralba Cuello (UPC).



The candidate. We seek applications from candidates with a degree (BSc,
MSc) in Biomedical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or
similar demonstrable background, with high motivation for real time data
analysis. Knowledge in automatic classification of EEG time series, ML,
XAI, BCI, and/or brain imaging will be highly appreciated.



The project. The goal of this PhD project is to develop a Brain Computer
Interface that integrates electroencephalographic (EEG) data with a VR
driving environment in real time. This is an ongoing project which already
counts with a programmable VR driving environment, proof of concept
datasets (from young and older adults), and analytical pipelines based on
automatic detection of oscillatory episodes and ML classification offline.
The PhD project will begin from these pipelines, with the aim at
improving/optimizing classification, and implementing the algorithm online
in real time EEG data as users navigate the virtual environment. The system
should be able to anticipate the user’s errors and episodes of
disorientation, and provide guidance on time to facilitate a seamless
navigational experience. Ultimately, this system should be extrapolated to
real navigation conditions. More information on past results can be found
in *Torralba-Cuello, M., Marti-Marca, A., Pápai, M. S., & Soto-Faraco, S.
(2024). Single-Trial Characterisation of Frontal Theta and Parietal Alpha
Oscillatory Episodes during Spatial Navigation in Humans. bioRxiv, 2024-10*
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.10.17.618670v3__;!!Mih3wA!FMMWBuimHJKR9MY5t9fdqLmfT8WJbJ8BPrVl40P13Lu_4ob8zP-Qtvh1l3D-jYLwDiK3NUQatdB-RCaVwwTTqjhbL0v7UWwe$ >.



Conditions*



Duration: three years max.

Nationality: EU citizens only.

Starting date: No later than November 1st, 2025

Salary (gross): 18,180 Eur/year (approx.)

Training expenses: up to 12,000Eur.

This is an on-site, full-time position.

Deadline: April 9, 2025 at 2pm (local time in Barcelona).

*Please, see the full details in the AGAUR *FI-STEP 2025 call*
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://agaur.gencat.cat/en/beques-i-ajuts/convocatories-per-temes/Ajuts-per-a-la-contractacio-de-personal-investigador-predoctoral-en-formacio-dins-dels-ambits-de-les-tecnologies-STEP-FI-STEP__;!!Mih3wA!FMMWBuimHJKR9MY5t9fdqLmfT8WJbJ8BPrVl40P13Lu_4ob8zP-Qtvh1l3D-jYLwDiK3NUQatdB-RCaVwwTTqjhbLy3Ux2ft$ >
and
check all of the applicability criteria.





If you are interested, please contact us at *applications.MRGLab at gmail.com*
<applications.MRGLab at gmail.com> with a CV, the names of two academic
referees, and a letter describing your research interests briefly.
Mention ‘FI-STEP
2025’ in the email subject.