at the BCBL- Basque Center on Cognition Brain and Language (San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain) www.bcbl.eu
The Basque Center on Cognition Brain and Language (BCBL) in San Sebastian (Basque Country, Spain) is looking for a RESEARCH ASSISTANT to join its team.
- INFORMATION ABOUT THE POSITION
- Position: Research Assistant (RA)
- Number of vacancies: 1
- Research group: Attention, Cognitive Conflict and Affect (AccA)
- Location: Spain > Donostia-San Sebastián
- Founding source: SpinC: The Motivational Power of Cognitive Conflict - PID2023-148910NB-I00 funded by MCIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE
- Type of contract/Duration of Contract: Temporary, 1 year
- Job Status: Full-time
- Hours per week: 35
- Starting date: 1/05/2026
- Application deadline: 22/03/2026
Job description
We seek a highly motivated candidate with a background in Biotechnology/Cognitive Psychology and Mental Health, who can demonstrate interest and knowledge on the topics of Cognitive Conflict, Mental Effort, and Emotions and on the methods proposed for testing (behavioural online experiments, bio-signals, EEG, Eye Tracking). They will be involved in all steps of the research: experimental design, data collection, analysis, including science dissemination through scientific conferences (oral presentations/posters), peer-reviewed journals and outreach.
Project overview
While existing theories suggest that cognitive conflict effectively triggers cognitive control, its potential intrinsic motivational value, independent of external rewards, has been largely overlooked. This project seeks to address this gap by systematically investigating whether instances of cognitive conflict can serve as a "motivational spin," prompting individuals to exert greater effort and persistence in the absence of external incentives. We will gather subjective and phenomenological data from real-life contexts, systematically manipulate critical factors influencing the experience of cognitive conflict, and collect electro-bio-physiological measurements across the lifespan.
Research group:
https://www.bcbl.eu/en/research/research-groups/attention-cognitive-control-affect
- CANDIDATE PROFILE AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Required skills:
- Background in Biotechnology/Cognitive Psychology and Mental Health (First Stage Researcher (R1- up to the point of PhD).
- Previous (demonstrable) experience with collection and analysis of human physiology, EEG, eye-tracking and behavioural data in a cognitive neuroscience lab.
- Good to advanced programming skills (Matlab, Python, R) for experimental design and data analysis.
- Good to advanced experience in electro-bio-physiological (EEG, Eye Tracking, biosignals) data analysis and statistics.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Proactivity and Independence.
Desirable skills: -
Additional considerations:
- The candidate will be encouraged to apply for grants for PhD fellowships at national and international level.
- WORKING CONDITIONS
Salary: 19.200€ gross annual salary
Entitlements and other benefits:
https://www.bcbl.eu/en/about-us
https://www.bcbl.eu/en/join-us/hr-strategy-hrs4r
https://www.bcbl.eu/en/join-us/otm-r
Training opportunities and Career development plan:
Opportunity to develop professionally in a multicultural, young and dynamic environment.
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.
- OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Language policy
- The corporative language at the centre is English.
- The center provides initial level Spanish and Basque lessons to all the international staff members
- APPLICATION PROCESS
Submission of the application and documentation:
To submit your application, please follow this link: applying for “RA_AccaGroup_2026" and attach the following documentation: by March 22, 2026:
- 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 timetable:
- Deadline for application: 22/03/2026
- Evaluation by committee: 23/03/2026 - 27/03/2026
- Interviews: 07/04/2026 – 10/04/2026
- Final decision: 10/04/2026
- Feedback to all applicants: 10/04/2026
- Work contract start date: 01/05/2026
The dates are approximate, but the contract start date. Once the selection process has been completed, all candidates will receive an email informing about the completion of the selection process.
Contact details for enquiries:
For technical problems please contact: hr@bcbl.eu
For inquiries or questions related to the content of the position and/or information about the research group please contacft: m.ruzzoli@bcbl.eu
