Open positions

The EPFL Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics is seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher to join our team in a cutting-edge project focused on understanding human behavior and stress responsiveness through advanced Virtual Reality (VR) environments and comprehensive behavioral and physiological assessments. The project Is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and conducted in the Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, led by Prof. Carmen Sandi.

Project Overview: This project aims to unravel the complexities of human behavior and stress responses by leveraging VR technology to simulate stress-inducing scenarios and monitor participants’ behavioral and physiological reactions in real-time. The selected candidate will work on the integration of VR systems with various physiological monitoring tools, including sensors tracking heart rate, skin conductance, and other stress-related biomarkers, as well as behavioral data from participant movements within the VR environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement VR-based experimental protocols to study human stress and behavior.
• Operate and program VR environments tailored to the specific needs of the research project.
• Collect, process, and analyze multidimensional data from physiological systems and behavioral sensors.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including engineers, neuroscientists, and data scientists, to ensure the robustness and validity of the research methodologies.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in high-impact scientific journals and present findings at national and international conferences.
• Mentor students and contribute to the broader research community.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Cognitive/Behavioral Neuroscience, Psychology, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in human subjects research, particularly using VR approaches.
• Strong technical skills in programming VR environments (e.g., Unity) and managing complex experimental setups.
• Experience in analyzing multidimensional data, including physiological signals (e.g., EEG, ECG, GSR) and behavioral data from motion tracking systems.
• Proven track record of published research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with wearable technology and real-time data processing.
• Familiarity with advanced statistical methods and machine learning techniques for analyzing large datasets.
• Prior experience in stress research or related areas of psychophysiology.

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit the following documents (all of them as a single pdf):

• A cover letter describing your research experience, technical skills, and fit for this position.
• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) including a list of publications.
• Contact information for three professional references.

Interested candidates should send a SINGLE pdf including: CV, a brief research statement and the contact details of 3 reference persons to: Prof. Carmen Sandi ([email protected]).

The position is available immediately, and applications will be reviewed from October 1^st 2024, on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Term of employment: Fixed-term (CDD)

Duration: 1 year, renewable.

Why Join Us? At EPFL, we offer a vibrant research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive community dedicated to scientific excellence. This position provides a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and data science, contributing to a deeper understanding of human stress and its impacts on health and behavior.

We are committed to fostering diversity and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

A Swiss National Science Foundation funded postdoctoral position is available to investigate the molecular and metabolic underpinnings of motivated behavior.

Candidates with strong background on the analyses of brain metabolism (e.g., P- or 1H-MRS, mitochondrial structure and function) are welcome. In addition, the ideal candidate would have a strong expertise in one or several of the following areas: behavioral testing; proteomics; lipidomics; genomics; neural circuit characterization. Expertise in high-density data analyses would be an asset.

The qualified candidate should have a PhD and able to work independently and in collaboration. He/she must have excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as a strong research track-record.

The research will be conducted at the Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics (http://www.epfl.ch/labs/lgc/), Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, a center dedicated to exploring higher brain functions across multiple levels, from gene expression to cognition and emotional processing.

Applications will be reviewed from October 20th 2020, and search will continue being open until position is filled.

Interested candidates should send a SINGLE pdf including: CV, a brief research statement and the contact details of 3 reference persons to Prof. Carmen Sandi ([email protected]).