PhD Position in Cognitive Neuroscience (PRO-LISTEN Project) at BCBL, Spain

The Basque Center on Cognition Brain and Language (BCBL) in San Sebastián, Spain, invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position within the PRO-LISTEN project. Supervised by Prof. Nicola Molinaro, the successful candidate will investigate the neural and computational mechanisms supporting speech comprehension in challenging listening conditions and multilingual environments.

Position Overview

Research Area

The position is situated within Cognitive Neuroscience, specifically focusing on brain rhythms, speech processing, naturalistic language encoding, and multilingualism. The PhD candidate will join the Brain Rhythms and Cognition research group to study how the adult brain adapts to acquire and process additional languages (such as Spanish and Basque) using advanced magnetoencephalography (MEG), behavioral assessments, and computational models.

Eligibility and Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Completion of at least 300 ECTS credits through official university studies, including a minimum of 60 ECTS credits at the master’s level (qualifying for official PhD admission).
• Demonstrated capacity to conduct research and generate data under academic supervision.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to synthesize complex ideas.
• Clear ambition to advance knowledge in relevant scientific research methodologies.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate research outcomes.

Desirable Skills and Background:

• Academic background in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, computational linguistics, biomedical engineering, or data science.
• Experience in EEG or MEG data acquisition, preprocessing, and analysis.
• Proficiency in programming (preferably Python) and statistical data analysis.
• Familiarity with computational modeling, natural language processing, large language models (LLMs), or temporal response function (mTRF) approaches.
• Knowledge of speech and language processing, psycholinguistics, neural oscillations, or predictive processing.
• Experience with high-performance computing, version control, and BIDS-compliant data organization.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Scholarship and Project Description

The PRO-LISTEN project evaluates how linguistic diversity and sociolinguistic contexts influence neural plasticity. The successful applicant will contribute to longitudinal data collection, developing hierarchical information-theoretic predictors via language models (such as LATXA), and evaluating multivariate temporal response function models with Python and the Eelbrain toolbox.

The candidate will enroll in the UPV/EHU Doctoral Programme in Cognitive Neuroscience and prepare a doctoral dissertation based on the project’s findings. Alongside a gross annual salary of €21,000, the researcher will benefit from a dedicated Personal Career Development Plan, comprehensive training in cutting-edge neuroimaging, opportunities for international research visits, and Spanish/Basque language classes.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the BCBL recruitment portal. Applicants must apply for the call titled PRO-LISTEN and provide the following documents:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A statement of research interests and motivation for applying to the position.
• Official academic transcripts for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
• Two letters of recommendation (to be submitted directly by referees before the application deadline).

Last Date for Apply

The deadline for submitting applications is November 8, 2026 (08/11/2026).

Apply Link

To submit your application and upload the required documentation, please visit the official application portal: BCBL Calls and Job Openings.