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: Thalamocortical networks contributions to typical and atypical cognitive functioning / 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:
A PhD position is available in the Language and Memory Control (LMC) research group at the BCBL, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain. The successful candidate will conduct research in the THALNET project, which aims to comprehensively characterize thalamocortical networks in humans and elucidate their critical roles in cognitive functioning, as well as in developmental and neurodegenerative disorders, thereby advancing our understanding of brain health and disease. Research methods include behavioral, functional, and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures.
Job description:
The successful candidate will receive interdisciplinary training in neuroanatomy, theories, and methods related to the involvement of thalamocortical networks in language and memory, as well as in behavioral and MRI methods, and statistics. Also, s/he will have the opportunity to actively participate in local, national, and internal scientific networks of the PI and the LMC group relevant to the THALNET project.
The selected candidate will be involved in all the main steps necessary to conduct this project and to conduct research in the field of cognitive neuroscience, which will include, among others:
- Designing and implementing behavioral, functional, and structural MRI studies with different resolutions to examine the role of thalamocortical interactions in different cognitive processes.
- MRI and behavioral data collection
- Preprocess, analyze, and interpret behavioral, functional, and structural MRI data
- Programming and coding scripts for data analysis
- Writing research papers under the supervision of the PI, aiming to publish in top-tier journals
- Dissemination of results at national and international scientific conferences
The Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language is a world class interdisciplinary research center for the study of cognition, brain and language. BCBL provides a rich research environment with access to many neuroimaging techniques (EEG, MEG, MRI, NIRS, eye-tracking) and different labs to test babies, children, adults and elders. More information about the BCBL can be found at: https://www.bcbl.eu/en
PI and research group:
Kepa Paz-Alonso leads the Language and Memory Control (LMC) group, an interdisciplinary research group composed of cognitive neuroscientists and engineers who work together to unravel the neural basis of high cognitive functions using an array of behavioral, functional (task-related, resting-state), and structural (volumetric, diffusion MRI, quantitative MRI) MRI techniques and a range of analytical approaches. The successful candidate will actively interact with members of the LMC group and other members of the BCBL community.
- CANDIDATE PROFILE AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Required skills:
- Master’s (or equivalent) degree in Cognitive Neuroscience, Engineering, Mathematics, Psychology, Linguistics, and/or other relevant areas
- Previous experience in participating in research projects (e.g., data collection, analysis).
- Strong programming skills (Python, Matlab, …)
- Good background in statistical analysis
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
Desirable skills:
- Experience with MRI data analysis
- Experience with experimental designs
- Background in Cognitive Neuroscience
- 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
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
- 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 Thalamocortical Networks” 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: p.pazalonso@bcbl.eu
