The National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is inviting applications from qualified and motivated researchers for a Postdoctoral Position hosted at the Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (INT), Aix-Marseille University, in Marseille, France. The researcher will join the prestigious ERC-Synergy project NASCE (“Natural Auditory SCEnes in Humans and Machines”) to explore goal-directed auditory attention using human magnetoencephalography (MEG) and advanced computational modeling.
Overview of the Position
| Designation | Postdoctoral Researcher / Contract Research Fellow (CDD) |
| Offer Reference | UMR7289-BRUGIO-011 |
| Research Area | Cognitive Neuroscience, Auditory Perception, Human Electrophysiology (MEG/EEG), Signal Processing |
| Location | Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (INT, UMR 7289), Timone Campus, Marseille, France |
| Contract Type | Temporary (CDD) |
| Gross Salary | Between €3,131 and €4,341 per month (depending on experience) |
| Application Deadline | Open until filled (refer to portal for updates) |
Job Description
Within the framework of the ERC-Synergy project NASCE, the successful candidate will lead a research project examining how listeners’ goals alter the neural selection and representation of sound sources in complex, natural sound environments. Combining behavioral psychophysics and magnetoencephalography (MEG), the researcher will independently guide studies from conceptualization and experimental design through data collection, analysis, and publication.
Key Responsibilities and Activities
- Design, program, and validate selective-listening psychophysical experiments using controlled, ecologically valid sound scenes.
- Develop stimuli and experimental software, ensuring precise event synchronization and rigorous data quality.
- Conduct pilot investigations and acquire high-quality behavioral and MEG data with partner facilities.
- Develop and apply advanced signal processing and multivariate analysis pipelines: preprocessing, source localization, time-frequency analyses, and multivariate approaches (e.g., Representational Similarity Analysis [RSA], encoding/decoding models).
- Relate attentional dynamics to acoustic and semantic sound features in close collaboration with the consortium’s imaging and AI modeling teams.
- Author scientific publications, present findings at international conferences, and share datasets and analysis code under open-science frameworks.
- Provide methodological supervision and guidance to doctoral students on experimental protocols and quantitative data analysis.
Work Environment
The researcher will be embedded within Bruno Giordano’s group in the BraiNets team at the Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (INT, UMR 7289, CNRS / Aix-Marseille University). The multi-institutional NASCE project unites experts across neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and cognitive psychology to unravel auditory scene analysis. The candidate will work closely with European collaborators, notably Elia Formisano’s group at Maastricht University (ultra-high-field fMRI and computational modeling).
Eligibility & Qualifications
Candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
- Education: A Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field, paired with strong master’s-level training in signal processing, applied mathematics, or computational programming.
- Experience: 1 to 4 years of relevant post-graduate research experience in human experimental neuroscience.
- Technical Skills:
- Hands-on expertise in setting up and carrying out human experimental studies with MEG and/or EEG recording techniques.
- Advanced programming proficiency in Python for scientific computing and neuroimaging analysis (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, MNE-Python).
- Demonstrated track record of independently developing, documenting, and implementing novel analytical methods and reproducible code pipelines (Git).
- Solid grasp of signal processing, statistical modeling, and human electrophysiology.
- Desired Assets: Prior experience with intracranial EEG (sEEG), auditory perception, selective attention, connectivity analyses, or multivariate decoding is highly desirable.
- Languages: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are mandatory; knowledge of French is an advantage but not required.
Compensation & Benefits
- Remuneration: Monthly gross salary ranging from €3,131 to €4,341, commensurate with post-doctoral experience.
- Paid Leave: 44 days of annual leave and RTT per year.
- Work-Life Balance: CNRS remote working policy with corresponding compensation.
- Commuting Subsidies: 75% coverage of public transportation subscriptions and access to a sustainable mobility package (up to €300).
How to Apply
Interested candidates must submit their application directly through the official CNRS Careers portal. Prepare an updated Curriculum Vitae, a statement of research interests/cover letter detailing your relevant experience, and contact details of academic referees.
Last Date for Apply
Applications should be submitted as soon as possible via the CNRS portal. The call remains open until filled; early application is strongly encouraged.
