INFORMATION ABOUT THE POSITION

- Position: PhD student
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1- up to the point of PhD)
- Number of vacancies: 1
- Project: Making sense of the sensory world: perceptual learning in the human brain
- Funding sources: Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and University (202 PID2025-169017NA-I00)
- Location: Spain > San Sebastian
- Research Field: Neuroscience > Cognitive Computational Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
- Type of contract/Duration of Contract: Temporary, 4 years
- Job Status: Full-time
- Hours per week: 35
- Starting date: Flexible between 01/01/2027 and 30/04/2027
- Application deadline: 08/11/2026

Information about the project:

Perception is extraordinary. We are born with little notion of the kinds of objects we might find in our path. But just by receiving rays of light in our eyes and acoustic vibrations in our ears, we slowly build a fully structured internal representation of landscapes and faces, of speech and music. Perceptual learning is the discipline that aims to understand how do humans and other animals develop these internal representations. Studying this process is important to understand what does the brain know about reality itself, and to devise mechanistic interventions in clinical cases where perception fails, like psychosis.

This project will study how the brain creates internal representations across visual and auditory modalities, assessing their commonalities and differences. Our lab combines computational models with fMRI to develop theoretically-grounded experiments and empirically-grounded theory. This particular project is designed for fMRI, but there will be possibilities for extensions to E/MEG.

Part of this project will be developed in collaboration with the Department of Psychology of the University of Cambridge / MRC CBU and there may be opportunities for placements in Cambridege.

This is a fantastic opportunity for students with a background in cognitive neuroscience who want to extend their skillset to computational modelling, or for computational neuroscientists who want to learn human neuroimaging.

Job description:

- Designing and conducting experimental research in cognitive neuroscience
- Deploying and refining existing computational models of perceptual learning
- 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 Master 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, and Cambridge. The PI is currently holding an ERC Starting Grant, and the lab has additional funding for conference trips and research visits to our collaborators abroad.

2. CANDIDATES’ PROFILE AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Required skills:

- To be eligible for admission to a PhD programme, candidates must have completed at least 300 ECTS credits through their official university studies, including at least 60 ECTS credits at master's level.
- A master degree in a research-related discipline (e.g.: cognitive sciences, biology, computer science, experimental psychology, etc; our lab is strongly interdisciplinary and we welcome background diversity).
- Basic programming experience in any programming language
- Fluent spoken and written English
- Good communication skills and ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary environments
- Keen interest in Neuroscience research

Desirable skills:

- Basic programming experience with Python
- Basic experience with neuroimaging data analysis in Nipype
- Experience designing and conducting experiments using fMRI and/or E/MEG
- Demonstrable commitment to rigorous research practices
- Willingness to develop a combined computational/experimental profile

3. WORKING CONDITIONS

Salary: 21.000€ gross annual salary

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.

4. 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

5. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Submission of the application and documentation:

To submit your application, applying for “PhD position - Making sense of the sensory world: perceptual learning in the human brain” and attach the following documentation:

- A curriculum vitae
- A statement outlining research interests and motivation to apply for the position (max 2 pages)
- Two letters of recommendation

Application process timetable:

- Deadline for application: 08/11/2026

- Evaluation by committee: 09/11/2026 - 24/11/2026

- Interviews: 25/11/2026 – 04/12/2026

- Final decision: 09/12/2026

- Feedback to all applicants: 09/12/2026 - 11/12/2026

- Work contract start date: Versátil between 01/01/2027 and 30/04/2027

Contact details for enquiries: [email protected]

For technical problems with the calls platform or information about the application process please contact: [email protected]

For inquiries or questions related to the content of the position and/or information about the project and the research group please contact: [email protected].

📌 PhD student (San Sebastián)
🏢 BCBL BASQUE CENTER ON COGNITION BRAIN AND LANGUAGE
📍 San Sebastián