7 Jun
2016
7 Jun
'16
3:25 p.m.
PhD position (urgent):
Understanding the dynamic of facial expression decoding mechanisms by means of an
electrophysiologic approach by fast periodic visual stimulation
Being able to quickly read emotional expression from the face is critical for human social
interactions. Six facial expressions – fear, disgust, sadness, happiness, angry, surprise
– also known as the ‘basic emotions’ have been suggested to be universally recognized
(Ekman & Friesen, 1975). Studies on facial emotional processing have produced evidence
for impairments in neurological and psychiatric populations, such as Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD). However, patients may often compensate on explicit behavioral tasks and
fail on implicit face processing tasks, which suggests that they rely less on automatic
emotion processing, but employ cognitive, language-based or perceptual compensatory
mechanisms.
This PhD proposal will focus on understanding the decoding of facial expression in typical
human population by means of the rapid presentation of brief expression changes and the
recording of implicit measures with electroencephalography (EEG). Specifically, we will
rely on a fast periodic visual stimulation approach (FPVS) during EEG recording.
Intracerebral recordings of patients suffering from epilepsy refractory to medication with
the same paradigms will aim at understanding the neural basis of facial expression
decoding.
The PhD will be supervised by S. Caharel & J. Lighezzolo-Alnot at the Laboratory
INTERPSY at the University of Lorraine in Nancy, France
(http://interpsy.univ-lorraine.fr/content/stéphanie-caharel
<http://interpsy.univ-lorraine.fr/content/st%8Ephanie-caharel>), and L. Maillard at
the CHU of Nancy for intracerebral recording studies. Studies with the FPVS approach in
EEG will be performed in close collaboration with B. Rossion and M. Dzhelyova at the
University of Louvain in Belgium (http://face-categorization-lab.webnode.com/)
<http://face-categorization-lab.webnode.com/)>.
The position involves a temporary appointment for 3 years, with a starting date on
September/October 2016. Applications should be completed ideally by june 20th.
For more information, please contact:
Stéphanie Caharel by email: stephanie.caharel(a)univ-lorraine.fr
<mailto:stephanie.caharel@univ-lorraine.fr>
Candidate requirements
We will consider highly motivated candidates with a degree in neuroscience,
neuropsychology, biomedical sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, physics etc. A high
level of written and spoken English is required. The ideal candidate will have good
programming skills for the setting up and adaptation of stimulation paradigms and data
analysis, experience with neurophysiological techniques such as EEG, and a background in
cognitive neuroscience. Knowledge of the topic of research – face perception - is an
asset.
Supervision
- Stéphanie Caharel, Associate Professor of Neuropsychology, Lab Interpsy (EA 4432),
University of Lorraine (stephanie.caharel(a)univ-lorraine.fr
<mailto:stephanie.caharel@univ-lorraine.fr>)
- Joëlle Lighezzolo-Alnot, Professor of Clinical Psychology, Lab Interpsy (EA 4432),
University of Lorraine (joelle.lighezzolo(a)univ-lorraine.fr
<mailto:joelle.lighezzolo@univ-lorraine.fr>)
- Louis Maillard, Pr. of Neurology, University Hospital of Nancy, CRAN UMR CNRS 7039,
University of Lorraine (l.maillard(a)chru-nancy.fr <mailto:l.maillard@chru-nancy.fr>)
Main Laboratory: Lab of Psychology “InterPsy” (EA 4432) – University of Lorraine:
http://interpsy.univ-lorraine.fr <http://interpsy.univ-lorraine.fr/>
Other Labs associated: CRAN (UMR CNRS 7039) - University of Lorraine; Face Categorization
Lab, UCLouvain, Belgium (http://face-categorization-lab.webnode.com/
<http://face-categorization-lab.webnode.com/>)
To apply, please send application letter, CV, academic results (master’s degree) and two
letters of recommendation before June 20, 2016 to the ED 78 Stanislas doctoral school and
to Stéphanie Caharel (stephanie.caharel(a)univ-lorraine.fr)
<mailto:stephanie.caharel@univ-lorraine.fr)> (with ‘PhD application 2016’ as subject
line)