Three (3) PhD Scholarships, Free University of Brussels, Belgium (2015 - 2016)

The Consciousness, Cognition & Computation Group of the Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences (crcn.ulb.ac.be/co3) at the Université Libre de Bruxelles seeks applicants for three four-year Ph.D. positions funded under the RADICAL European Research Council Advanced Grant awarded to Axel Cleeremans.

This research project is focused on the development of a novel theory of consciousness based on the idea that consciousness is something that the brain learns to do rather than a static property of certain kinds of neural activity. Prediction-driven interactive loops thus enable the brain to learn about (1) the consequences of activity in one region on activity in other regions (the inner loop), (2) the consequences of action on perception (the perception-action loop), and (3) the consequences of action on the behaviour of other agents (the mind loop). The core idea is thus that a cognitive system becomes a conscious cognitive system in virtue of its ability to continuously learn to represent (and hence, predict) the consequences of its own activity.

Position 1 will be dedicated to components of the project (the perception-action loop) aimed at exploring the relationships between metacognition and perceptual awareness and their dynamics, using methods that involve virtual reality, hypnosis, and psychophysics in experimental paradigms ranging from implicit learning to subliminal perception. Some aspects of this project will involve collaboration with Pr. Olaf Blanke (EPFL), as well as computational modelling methods geared towards further developing a neural network model of metacognition. Successful candidates should have a strong background in computational methods such as neural network modelling or bayesian methods.

Position 2 is dedicated to the relationships between theory of mind, self-awareness, and perceptual awareness (the mind loop). Planned studies involve work with autistic patients in collaboration with Pr. Kai Vogeley (Uni Köln), further collaboration using virtual reality methods with Pr. Olaf Blanke (EPFL), and work on the sense of agency in collaboration with Pr. Patrick Haggard (UCLondon). A strong background in experimental methods and an interest in clinical work is expected for this position. Imaging experience is a plus for this position.

Position 3 is dedicated to the inner loop and will involve research leveraging neurofeedback, brain-computer interface (BCI) methods, as well as EEG and EMG methods applied to domains such as decision-making and sensory substitution. Collaboration with Pr. Rainer Goebel (Maastricht) and Pr. Manuel Schabus (Sälzburg) is envisioned. Existing expertise with the relevant methods is a plus for this position.

Further details:
http://www.nature.com