Two Research Assistant Positions in the Consciousness Group

BCBL - Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language; España; Presencial; EUR 28.000 - 36.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

BCBL - Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language in Spain seeks two Research Assistants at the R1 level to develop and implement neurofeedback procedures using fMRI and fNIRS. You will contribute to all stages of the research—from experimental design to data collection and pipeline development—within a vibrant, interdisciplinary team.

The project examines how neural representations of emotion can be decoded and modulated, linking brain activity to subjective experience.

Formación

• Training at the R1 / predoctoral level in Computer Science, Engineering, Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology, or a related field.
• Experience with human neuroimaging or physiological data, familiarity with data preprocessing and analysis; experience with fMRI and/or fNIRS is highly relevant.
• Good programming skills in Python, including scientific computing and data analysis.
• Familiarity with machine learning or multivariate data analysis.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating within an interdisciplinary research team.
• Strong written and oral English communication skills.
• Previous experience applying machine learning, multivariate pattern analysis, or decoding methods to neuroimaging data.
• Experience with fMRI and/or fNIRS analysis, particularly MVPA/representational approaches.
• Experience developing or working with real-time data analysis pipelines or neurofeedback paradigms.
• Experience with experimental design, psychophysiological measures, or assessment of subjective emotional experience.
• Strong interest in neuroscience of consciousness, cognition, and emotion.

Responsabilidades

• Contribute to experimental design, data collection, and development of neurofeedback analysis pipelines.
• Develop and implement decoded neurofeedback approaches across fMRI and fNIRS modalities.
• Collaborate to compare and integrate findings across neuroimaging methods.
• Support interdisciplinary research on neural representations of emotion and consciousness.

Conocimientos

Python programming

Machine learning

Multivariate data analysis

Data analysis

English communication

Independent working

Team collaboration

Educación

Predoctoral training in Computer Science/Engineering/Cognitive Neuroscience/Psychology

Descripción del empleo

BCBL - Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language

Organisation/Company BCBL - Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language Research Field Neurosciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 8 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Information about the project:

Previous research has identified neural signatures associated with conscious experience, but how these representations shape subjective experience—particularly emotional experience—remains poorly understood. This project will investigate how emotion-related neural representations can be decoded and experimentally modulated using functional neuroimaging and decoded neurofeedback .

We are recruiting two Research Assistants: one position will focus on an fMRI-based protocol and the other on an fNIRS-based approach. Both RAs will contribute to the development and implementation of neurofeedback procedures and will work closely together to compare and integrate approaches across the two neuroimaging modalities.

The project will examine how changes in brain representations during neurofeedback relate to changes in physiology and subjective emotional experience, with the broader aim of understanding how specific patterns of brain activity contribute to the construction and modulation of conscious emotional states. It combines methods from cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging, machine learning and neurofeedback, providing an interdisciplinary research environment for candidates interested in the neural basis of emotion and consciousness.

Job description: We seek a highly motivated candidates with a background in Psychology/Computer Science/Engineering/Cognitive Neuroscience, with interests in human brain imaging and neurofeedback technologies. The RA will have the opportunity to contribute to all stages of the research, including experimental design, data collection, and the development of neurofeedback analysis pipelines

PI and research group: The candidate will join the Consciousness research group ( https://www.bcbl.eu/en/research/research-groups/consciousness ) led by Prof. David Soto ( [e-mail] ), who will be the main supervisor. We develop and test targeted neurocognitive interventions, including decoded neurofeedback, to shape conscious and non-conscious information processing in the human brain and promote adaptive changes in cognition, behaviour and subjective experience.

Requirements

Skills/Qualifications

• Training at the R1 / predoctoral level in Computer Science, Engineering, Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology, or a related field.
• Demonstrable experience working with human neuroimaging or physiological data, with familiarity with data preprocessing and analysis. Experience with fMRI and/or fNIRS is highly relevant.
• Good programming skills in Python, including experience with scientific computing and data analysis.
• Familiarity with machine learning or multivariate data analysis.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within an interdisciplinary research team.
• Strong written and oral English communication skills.

Specific Requirements

• Previous experience applying machine learning, multivariate pattern analysis, or decoding methods to neuroimaging data.
• Experience with fMRI and/or fNIRS analysis, particularly multivariate or representational approaches.
• Experience developing or working with real-time data analysis pipelines or neurofeedback paradigms.
• Experience with experimental design, psychophysiological measures, or the assessment of subjective emotional experience.
• Strong interest in the neuroscience of consciousness, cognition, and emotion, and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research.

Training opportunities and Career development plan:

Opportunity to develop professionally in a multicultural, young and dynamic environment.

The necessary technical training for this position will be offered by the centre.

BCBL seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, sociocultural background, nationality or impairments. We are proud to have in place both an LGTBIQ+ Plan and a Gender Equality Plan to actively promote inclusion and equal opportunities. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute BCBL, Basque Center on Cognition, Brain & Language Country Spain State/Province Gipuzkoa City Donostia-San Sebastián Postal Code E-20009 Street Paseo Mikeletegi, 69 - 2