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 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER to join its team.
- INFORMATION ABOUT THE POSITION
- Position: Postdoctoral researcher
- Researcher profile: Recognised Researcher (R2 - PhD holders or equivalent who are not yet fully independent)
- Number of vacancies: 1
- Project: ERC Bilingual LENS
- Founding source: ERC (European Research Council)
- Location: Spain > Donostia-San Sebastián
- Research field: Neuroscience > Cognition and Language
- Type of contract/Duration of Contract: Temporary, 2 years.
- Job Status: Full-time
- Hours per week: 35
- Starting date: Flexible (September 2026 – March 2027)
- Application deadline: 31st May 2026
Information about the project
The project will investigate how the brain learns and exploits the statistical structure of the sensory input during auditory perception. The specific methodology of the project will be tailored to the interests of the postdoc, and may include ultra-high resolution fMRI, E/MEG, and/or computational modelling.
Part of this project will be developed in collaboration with the Department of Psychology of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany, and there may be opportunities for placements in Leipzig.
This is a fantastic opportunity for cognitive neuroscientists who wish to learn modelling techniques, or for computational neuroscientists who want to learn human neuroimaging.
Job description
- Designing and conducting experimental and/or computational modelling research in cognitive neuroscience
- Writing research papers in collaboration with the PI, aiming to publish at top-tier journals
- Dissemination of results at international scientific conferences
- Assisting in the supervision of PhD students
Candidates selected for this role may also be appointed to teach within the BCBL Master in cognitive neuroscience of language (https://www.bcbl.eu/en/study-with-us/masters-cognitive-neuroscience-language), subject to further evaluation and approval by the department.
Postdoctoral researchers at the BCBL can acquire mentoring skills by co-supervising Master’s and PhD students.
PI and research group:
The Perceptual Inference Group at the BCBL studies how our subjective priors affect the way we perceive the world around us. We use a combination of ultra-high resolution fMRI, mathematical modelling, machine learning, and psychophysics. Experimental designs are theory-driven and precisely design to tackle a specific research question. The lab is grounded on slow science and prioritises rigour, robustness, and reproducibility. We have a large network of international collaborations with experimental and computational labs in Leipzig, Dresden, Basel, Pennsylvania, and Cambridge. The PI is currently holding an ERC Starting Grant, and the lab has plenty of funding for conference trips and research visits to our collaborators abroad.
- CANDIDATE PROFILE AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Required skills:
- A PhD degree in Cognitive or Computational Neuroscience. Applications from candidates from related disciplines (Computer Science, Physics, etc) that wish to transition to Cognitive Computational Neuroscience are welcome.
- Strong publication record
- Programming experience (python preferred)
- Fluent knowledge of English
- Good communication skills and ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary environments
- Ability or willingness to carry out research independently under the supervision of the PI
Desirable skills:
- Experience with neuroimaging data analysis in Nipype
- Experience with pytorch
- Experience designing and conducting experiments using E/MEG, fMRI, or fNIRs
- Demonstrable commitment to rigorous research practices
- Willingness to develop a combined computational/experimental profile
- WORKING CONDITIONS
Salary: 28,000-30,000€/year gross
Entitlements and other benefits:
https://www.bcbl.eu/en/join-us/what-is-like-to-work-bcbl
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, 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 Center is English
- 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 “Lab for Perceptual Inference - Postdoc position in temporal expectations" and attach the following documentation: by May 31st, 2026:
NOTE: The link to this job offer in the calls portal will be available from 14th April 2026. We kindly request candidates to apply after this day.
- A curriculum vitae
- A statement outlining research interests and motivation to apply for the position
- 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: 31/05/2026
- Evaluation by committee: 03/06/2026-14/06/2026
- Interviews: 18/06/2026-27/06/2026
- Final decision: 30/06/2026
- Feedback to all applicants: 01/07/2026
- Work contract start date: flexible (September 2026 – March 2027)
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 c
