at the BCBL- Basque Center on Cognition Brain and Language (San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain) www.bcbl.eu
- INFORMATION ABOUT THE POSITION
- Position: PhD student
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1- up to the point of PhD)
- Number of vacancies: 1
- Project: TEMPREAD: Multimodal characterization of reading networks: integrating spatiotemporal dynamics and brain structure, FPI/Plan Nacional
- Location: Spain > Donostia-San Sebastián
- Research Field: Neuroscience > Cognition and Language
- Type of contract/Duration of Contract: Temporary: 4 years
- Job Status: Full-time
- Hours per week: 35
- Starting date: Subject to the call’s allowance, the contract shall start on the 1st of December 2025; if not, it shall start on the 1st of January 2026.
- Application deadline: 1st of November 2025
Information about the project:
The TEMPREAD project offers an exciting opportunity to explore the neural basis of reading using cutting-edge brain imaging methods. Unlike traditional approaches, this project focuses on the temporal dynamics of reading, how the brain processes written words across time as well as space. You will use a recently developed fMRI technique, the Compressive SpatioTemporal population Receptive Field (CST-pRF) method, together with advanced structural neuroimaging (diffusion and quantitative MRI). Our goal is to build a detailed picture of the ventral occipito-temporal cortex (VOTC), a key region for word recognition, sometimes known as the Visual Word Form Area (VWFA). By combining innovative functional and structural MRI, we aim to characterize this region at an unprecedented level of detail. As a PhD student, you will create a structural and functional connectivity atlas of the VOTC, map spatiotemporal gradients in reading-related brain regions and work with densely sampled individual-subject data and contribute to highly reliable group-level datasets.
This project is led by a PI with deep expertise in vision, reading, and neuroimaging methods, including direct contributions to the CST-pRF technique and other neuroimaging related open-source tool development. You will benefit from interdisciplinary training, a strong commitment to open science, and the opportunity to make your work publicly available to advance reproducibility and collaboration. Your research will not only shed light on typical and atypical reading but also contribute to long-term applications, such as diagnostic tools and interventions for dyslexia. This is a unique chance to join a paradigm shift in reading research and help shape the next generation of neuroscience.
Job description:
The successful PhD candidate will contribute to the TEMPREAD project, investigating the spatiotemporal and structural dynamics of reading networks using advanced neuroimaging methods. The position offers interdisciplinary training in behavioral, functional, and structural MRI, alongside hands-on experience in experimental design, data collection, analysis, writing and publishing in relevant journals and international conferences.
The student will benefit from dual supervision, including co-direction by Dr. Kalanit Grill-Spector (Stanford University), with the opportunity for a short-term research stay at Stanford. International conference travel and research visits will be supported with up to €7,000 in funding, fostering global collaboration and visibility.
The PhD will be hosted at the Language and Memory Control Group, BCBL (Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence), an exceptional training environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities (EEG, MEG, MRI, NIRS, and eye-tracking) and participant labs across the lifespan. This comprehensive setting ensures strong theoretical and technical training, preparing the candidate for an independent career in cognitive neuroscience across academia or industry.
PI and research group:
Garikoitz Lerma-Usabiaga (Language and Memory Control Group). His research is focused on 1) using behavioral, functional and structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate the neural basis of vision and reading, and 2) developing functional and structural MRI methods to further examine cognitive functions and enhance neuroimaging reproducibility, validity and generalizability.
- CANDIDATE PROFILE AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Required skills:
- Carry out research under supervision
- Have the ambition to develop knowledge of research methodologies and discipline
- Have demonstrated a good understanding of a field of study
- Have demonstrated the ability to produce data under supervision
- Be capable of critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas
- Be able to explain the outcome of research and value thereof to research colleagues
Desirable skills:
- Programming experience and a technical mindset. Engineers, computer scientists, physicists, or mathematicians are welcome.
- Previous research experience, including data collection, curation, and analysis.
- Integrated language, communication and environment skills.
- WORKING CONDITIONS
Salary: 24.348,77€ annual gross + A €7,000 grant to cover expenses arising from research stays at R&D centers and from tuition fees for doctoral studies
Entitlements and other benefits:
- https://www.bcbl.eu/en/join-us/what-is-like-to-work-bcbl
- The co-director of the PhD student will be Kalanit Grill-Spector from Stanford University, a short term stay at Stanford University will be encouraged and included as part of the PhD program.
Training opportunities and Career development plan:
Researchers at any stage of their career, regardless of their contractual situation, are given an opportunity for professional development and for improving their employability through access to a Personal Career Development Plan which includes
(1) Training through individually personalized research projects under senior supervision
(2) Exchanging knowledge with the scientific community and the general public
(3) Network-wide training in theory and methods
(4) Complementary training courses
(5) Involvement in proposal writing, task coordination
(6) Development of skills for the organization of training and scientific events
BCBL seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support contact us.
- OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Language policy
- The corporative language at the Center is English but the national language will be an asset for this particular position
- The center provides initial level Spanish and Basque lessons to all the international staff members
- The interview will be conducted entirely in English
- APPLICATION PROCESS
Submission of the application and documentation:
To submit your application, please follow this link: applying for “ PhD position TEMPREAD” and attach the following documentation:
- A curriculum vitae
- A statement outlining research interests and motivation to apply for the position
- Transcript of records for the master and bachelor degrees
- Two letters of recommendation (submitted by the referees no later than the application deadline)
Learn more about the BCBL’s OTM-R policy
Application process timeline:
- Deadline for application: 1st of November 2025
- Evaluation by committee: 12th of November 2025
- Interviews: from 13th of November to 21st of November 2025
- Final decision: 24th of November 2025
- Feedback to all applicants: 25th of November 2025
- Work contract start date: subject to the call’s allowance, the contract shall start on the 1st of December 2025; if not, it shall start on the 1st of January 2026.
Contact details for enquiries:
For technical problems with the calls platform please contact: hr@bcbl.eu
For inquiries or questions related to the content of the position and/or information about the project and the research group please contact: g.lerma@bcbl.eu
