PhD on neural assessment of aphasia

2 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU Leuven

Research Field

Neurosciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

1 Oct 2024 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38 hours/week

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

BAP-2024-129

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Around 52 people per day suffer a stroke in Belgium, of whom one third is affected by aphasia, an acquired and impactful language disorder. In the acute phase, formal language testing is challenging, due to potential co-morbid cognitive problems, leading to inaccurate diagnoses and predictions. Natural speech assessment is less depended on active cooperation and would be more representative for daily communication. Therefore, in a large-scale longitudinal project in stroke patients (n=600), we will optimize the standard screening protocol by including natural speech production tasks and a more extensive characterization of the lesion. Via data-driven clustering techniques we will define different profiles in the acute phase and test their predictive value in terms of long-term language outcomes. Second, we will examine natural speech reception in a subset of 100 acute stroke patients and neurotypical controls by testing the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of EEG neural tracking (i.e., an EEG technique that links brain responses to specific acoustic and linguistic features encompassed within the natural story patients listened to). By using natural speech measures, the aim is to provide novel way to diagnose aphasia in a more comprehensive and functionally relevant manner.

Requirements

Research Field

Neurosciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

DUTCH

Level

Excellent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Biological sciences

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Benefits

• Fulltime PhD position for an initial year, renewable for up to 4 years
• Salary is competitive and in accordance with university standards
• Membership of two renowned labs, as part of a motivated interdisciplinary team (Vandermosten – Gillebert – Francart), with an extensive international network
• Membership of the Leuven Brain Institute at the KU Leuven, one of the largest research universities of Europe
• The possibility to take part in international conferences and collaborations
• Starting date is October 2024 or as soon as an excellent candidate shows up

Eligibility criteria

• An excellent Master degree in speech and language pathology, (neuro)psychology, biomedical engineering, experimental psychology, (cognitive) neuroscience, or related disciplines. Students who graduate in June or August 2024 are also welcome to apply. 
• Good English and Dutch proficiency (data collection is in Dutch)
• Good programming skills (or at least high willingness to learn) 
• Having experience with MRI and EEG techniques and/or with aphasia is an asset 
• An inquisitive and creative mind, excellent problem solving skills
• Strong commitment and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team 
• Ability to work flexibly and independently and flexible 

Selection process

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Maaike Vandermosten, tel.: +32 16 32 62 94, mail: [email protected] , or Prof. Dr. Céline Gillebert, tel: +32 16 372704, mail: [email protected] , or Prof. dr. Tom Francart, tel.: +32 16 379840, mail: [email protected] . Applications should be submitted through the electronic application system of KU Leuven, providing a motivation letter, full CV (including detailed university study results), and contact information of at least two referees. Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis until a suitable candidate is identified. KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments.

You can apply for this job no later than 01/10/2024 via the online application tool

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KU Leuven

Country

Belgium

State/Province

Vlaams Brabant

City

Leuven

Postal Code

3000

Street

Leuven

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://easyapply.jobs/r/CjLXadC21rAoiC1WNRJD

Contact

State/Province

Leuven

City

Vlaams Brabant

Street

Leuven

Postal Code

3000

STATUS: EXPIRED