Mvpa
MVPA
Jorge Almeida (Proaction Lab)
The Proaction Laboratory (Jorge Almeida’s Lab; proactionlab.fpce.uc.pt) at the University of Coimbra (www.uc.pt), Portugal is looking for 3 motivated and bright Research Assistants to work on a prestigious ERC Starting Grant project (ContentMAP; https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/802553) on the neural organization of object knowledge. In this project we are exploring how complex information is topographically organized in the brain using fMRI and state of the art analytical techniques, as well as computational approaches, and neuromodulation. We strongly and particularly encourage applications from women, and from underrepresented groups in academia. General Requirements for the positions: 1. Candidates should have a BA and/or MA in Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Computer Science, Computational Neuroscience or any other related field as long as their work relates to the specific profiles below. 2. They should already have their diplomas (so that we can start the process of recognition in Portugal, which is a necessary step for hiring). 3. Interest in object recognition and neural representation. 5. Very good English (oral and written) communicative skills are necessary. Specific requirements for the positions: 1. Understanding of and experience with fMRI and data analysis, and specifically with MVPA. 2. Strong programming skills (matlab, python, etc.) are a requirement. Salary and duration: The position will start as soon as possible and finish in January 2024. The salary is the standard for a PhD student in Portugal – about 1100 per month tax free. Note that cost of living in Portugal (and particularly in Coimbra) is low compared to major European and American cities. Working conditions: The researcher will work directly with Jorge Almeida in Coimbra. The researcher will also be encouraged to develop her/his own projects and look for additional funding so that the stay can be extended. In fact, the expectation is that the applicants start a PhD one year after starting their positions. We have access to 2 3T MRI scanner with a 32-channel coil, to tDCS with neuronavigation, and to a fully set psychophysics lab. We have EEG and eyetracking on site. We also have access, through other collaborations, to a 7T scanner. Finally, the University of Coimbra is a 700 year old University and has been selected as a UNESCO world Heritage site. Coimbra is one of the most lively university cities in the world, and it is a beautiful city with easy access to the beach and mountain. How can I apply: Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as these positions will be closed as they are filled. Nevertheless, the deadline in May 15. The interested candidates should email Jorge Almeida for questions and applications. Please send an email (jorgealmeida@fpce.uc.pt) with the subject “Research assistant positions under ERC - ContentMAP” with: 1. The Curriculum Vitae with a list of publications, 2. 2 Reference letters 3. A motivation letter with a short description of your experience in the field and how you fulfill the requirements (fit with the position).
Jorge Almeida
I am looking for a Post-Doctoral Researcher. The applicants should have obtained a PhD, and have an overall interest in object recognition, potentially focusing on object-related features like shape, texture material and surface properties. I am particularly interested in researchers with strong expertise in fMRI, and in particular decoding and multivariate approaches. Good programming skills, great communication and mentoring skills, and a great command of English are a plus. The selected applicant will work with me (Jorge Almeida) but will also benefit from the lively academic environment and research groups we are currently building in the Psychology Department of the University of Coimbra, Portugal (Jason Fischer, Joana Carvalho, Alfonso Caramazza, etc). The projects will relate to my work on object and mid-level processing. Below are some examples: Mahon, B. Z., & Almeida, J. (2024). Reciprocal interactions among parietal and occipito-temporal representations support everyday object-directed actions. Neuropsychologia, 198, 108841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2024.108841 Almeida, J., Fracasso, A., Kristensen, S., Valério, D., Bergström, F., Chakravarthi, R., Tal, Z., & Walbrin, J. (2023). Neural and behavioral signatures of the multidimensionality of manipulable object processing. Communications biology, 6(1), 940. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-05323-x Walbrin, J., & Almeida, J. (2021). High-Level Representations in Human Occipito-Temporal Cortex Are Indexed by Distal Connectivity. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 41(21), 4678–4685. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2857-20.2021 The position is for 2 to 3 years, and the salary is the standard Post-Doctoral pay-scale in Portugal (net value 1850 euros per month; this is a competitive salary for the cost of living in Portugal and especially in Coimbra). Start time should be as soon as possible. The Proaction Lab is currently well-funded as we have a set of on-going funded projects including a Starting Grant ERC to Jorge Almeida, a major European ERA Chair project to Jorge Almeida and Alfonso Caramazza, and other projects. We have access to a 3T MRI scanner with a 32-channel coil, to a 7T scanner (in collaboration with a site outside of Portugal), to tDCS, and to a fully set psychophysics lab. We have a 256 ch EEG, motion tracking and eyetracking on site. We also have a science communication office dedicated to the lab. Finally, the University of Coimbra is a 700-year-old University and has been selected as a UNESCO world Heritage site. Coimbra is one of the liveliest university cities in the world, and it is a beautiful city with easy access to the beach and mountain. You should apply as soon as you can. If interested send an email to jorgecbalmeida@gmail.com, with a CV, and motivation/scientific proposal letter.
Jorge Almeida
I am looking for a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the initial stages (defending very soon, and no more than 2 years and half after obtaining their PhD). The applicants should have obtained a PhD, and have an overall interest in object recognition, potentially focusing on object-related features like shape, texture material and surface properties. I am particularly interested in researchers with strong expertise in fMRI, and in particular decoding and multivariate approaches. Good programming skills, great communication and mentoring skills, and a great command of English are a plus. The selected applicant will work with me (Jorge Almeida) but will also benefit from the lively academic environment and research groups we are currently building in the Psychology Department of the University of Coimbra, Portugal (Jason Fischer, Joana Carvalho, Alfonso Caramazza, etc). The projects will relate to my work on object and mid-level processing. Below are some examples: Mahon, B. Z., & Almeida, J. (2024). Reciprocal interactions among parietal and occipito-temporal representations support everyday object-directed actions. Neuropsychologia, 198, 108841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2024.108841 Almeida, J., Fracasso, A., Kristensen, S., Valério, D., Bergström, F., Chakravarthi, R., Tal, Z., & Walbrin, J. (2023). Neural and behavioral signatures of the multidimensionality of manipulable object processing. Communications biology, 6(1), 940. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-05323-x Walbrin, J., & Almeida, J. (2021). High-Level Representations in Human Occipito-Temporal Cortex Are Indexed by Distal Connectivity. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 41(21), 4678–4685. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2857-20.2021 The position is for 2 to 3 years, and the salary is the standard Post-Doctoral pay-scale in Portugal (net value 1850 euros per month; this is a competitive salary for the cost of living in Portugal and especially in Coimbra). Start time should be as soon as possible. The Proaction Lab is currently well-funded as we have a set of on-going funded projects including a Starting Grant ERC to Jorge Almeida, a major European ERA Chair project to Jorge Almeida and Alfonso Caramazza, and other projects. We have access to a 3T MRI scanner with a 32-channel coil, to a 7T scanner (in collaboration with a site outside of Portugal), to tDCS, and to a fully set psychophysics lab. We have a 256 ch EEG, motion tracking and eyetracking on site. We also have a science communication office dedicated to the lab. Finally, the University of Coimbra is a 700-year-old University and has been selected as a UNESCO world Heritage site. Coimbra is one of the liveliest university cities in the world, and it is a beautiful city with easy access to the beach and mountain. You should apply as soon as you can. If interested send an email to jorgecbalmeida@gmail.com, with a CV, and motivation/scientific proposal letter.
Decoding sounds in early visual cortex of sighted and blind individuals
Removing information from working memory
Holding information in working memory is essential for cognition, but removing unwanted thoughts is equally important. There is great flexibility in how we can manipulate information in working memory, but the processes and consequences of these operations are poorly understood. In this talk I will discuss our recent findings using multivariate pattern analyses of fMRI brain data to demonstrate the successful removal of information from working memory using three different strategies: suppressing a specific thought, replacing a thought with a different one, and clearing the mind of all thought. These strategies are supported by distinct brain regions and have differential consequences on the encoding of new information. I will discuss implications of these results on theories of memory and I will highlight some new directions involving the use of real-time neurofeedback to investigate causal links between brain and behavior.
Decoding of fMRI resting-state using task-based MVPA supports the Incentive-Sensitization Theory in smokers
FENS Forum 2024