PhD Position in 3DTechSign: AI and Sign Language Research at BCBL, Spain

Summary

The Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL) in San Sebastian, Spain, is offering a fully funded PhD position for a First Stage Researcher (R1) to join the 3DTechSign project. This project leverages advances in computer vision and artificial intelligence to address the digital gap for sign languages, which are often understudied and underdocumented. The successful candidate will contribute to developing tools for the scientific study of sign languages, focusing on pose estimation, motion capture, and avatar technology, under the supervision of Dr. Brendan Costello.

Designation

PhD Student / First Stage Researcher (R1)

Scholarship Details

Research Area

• Primary Field: Neuroscience
• Specialization: Cognition and Language
• Project Focus: Application of computer vision and artificial intelligence to sign languages, including pose estimation, motion capture, avatar technology, and ethical considerations of AI in sign language studies.

Location

BCBL – Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language, San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain

Eligibility/Qualification

Required Skills:

• Completed at least 300 ECTS credits through official university studies, including a minimum of 60 ECTS credits at master’s level.
• Ability to conduct supervised research.
• Ambition to develop knowledge of research methodologies and the discipline.
• Demonstrated good understanding of a field of study.
• Ability to produce data under supervision.
• Capable of critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
• Ability to explain research outcomes and their value to colleagues.

Desirable Skills:

• Academic background in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, computational linguistics, biomedical engineering, data science, or related fields.
• Experience with sign language data acquisition, preprocessing, or analysis.
• Programming skills (preferably Python) and familiarity with statistical or computational data analysis.
• Knowledge of Spanish Sign Language or another sign language.
• Experience working with a deaf signing community.
• Experience with 3D technologies, including pose estimation (e.g., MediaPipe, Openpose) and motion capture.
• Familiarity with reproducible research practices and Open Science.
• Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team.
• Strong written and spoken English.
• Experience demonstrating effective communication and adaptability in an international research environment.

Scholarship Description

The successful PhD candidate will join the Sign Language group at BCBL and conduct research within the 3DTechSign project. The core objective is to investigate the application of advanced technologies to sign language data and create tools for neurocognition research. Key responsibilities include comparing existing pose estimation tools for sign language data, adapting them for specific research needs, and collaborating on studies related to categorical perception, (semi-)automatic transcription, and synthetic sign stimuli. The student will enroll in the Cognitive Neuroscience program at the University of the Basque Country (EHU) under Dr. Costello’s direct supervision.

The position offers excellent doctoral training in programming, neuroimaging, scientific communication, and specialized training in sign language data management, computer vision, machine learning, and sign language proficiency. The student will undertake a 3-month research stay with international collaborators, participate in scientific meetings, present findings at international conferences, and prepare peer-reviewed publications. BCBL is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and welcomes applications from deaf candidates.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your application through the official BCBL portal. The application requires the following documentation:

1. A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
2. A statement outlining your research interests and motivation for applying.
3. Transcripts of records for your master’s and bachelor’s degrees.
4. Two letters of recommendation (to be submitted directly by the referees by the application deadline).

For technical issues with the application platform, contact hr@bcbl.eu. For inquiries regarding the position’s content, project, or research group, contact Dr. Brendan Costello at b.costello@bcbl.eu.

Last Date for Apply

08 November 2026

Apply Link

Apply for 3DTechSign PhD Position