How stress and fear change memory networks in the human brain

Organisation/Company

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

Department

Research Management

Research Field

Psychological sciences » Cognitive science
Neurosciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

PhD Positions

Country

Spain

Application Deadline

31 Mar 2025 - 00:00 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37,5

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe – COFUND

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101126533

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

PhD position at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) funded by the TOUCH COFUND project

Topic: How stress and fear change memory networks in the human brain

A PhD position is available at the Translational Mechanisms of Fear Memory lab - at the Institute of Neuroscience from the Universitat Autònoma Barcelona in collabora-tion with the Advanced Neuroscience of Barcelona (INAB) under the supervision of Raul Andero, Roser Nadal, and David Del Rosario. We are looking for a highly motivat-ed candidate that will investigate how stress and fear change memory networks in the human brain.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG) are non-invasive neuroimaging techniques used to study brain activity during stress and fear tasks. fNIRS measures changes in blood oxygenation, reflecting brain activity, while EEG records electrical activity from the brain's surface. These tools are particu-larly useful in both adults and children to explore how stress and fear impact brain function. 
In stress and fear tasks, fNIRS and EEG can identify neural markers associated with heightened emotional states, such as increased prefrontal cortex activation (linked to emotional regulation) or altered theta/gamma activity patterns (linked to anxiety or fear). Research into these brain activity patterns helps us understand the neurobiolog-ical mechanisms underlying anxiety disorders, PTSD, and other mental health condi-tions. 
This research could lead to better diagnostic tools, more effective treatments, and preventive measures by identifying early brain markers of mental health issues, facili-tating targeted interventions before symptoms become debilitating. 
Raul Andero will be the main supervisor of the project and bring expertise in stress, fear-memory, and analyses. Roser Nadal will supervise behavioral and cognitive ex-periments. David del Rosario brings expertise in engineering and will oversee EEG and fNIRS protocols, acquisition, signal processing and experimental design.

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Neuroscineces doctoral programme at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in the framework of the TOUCH pro-ject. TOUCH (“Towards the next generatiOn of excellent yoUng doctoral researchers on mental health by developing an intersectoral & transdisciplinary approaCH”) is a new excellent doctoral programme co-funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) Actions of the European Commission and led by the UAB for the recruitment and train-ing of 24 doctoral candidates in the field of mental health and wellbeing.

The main laboratory applying for this scholarship is the Translational Mechanisms of Fear Memory lab, led by ICREA Professor Raul Andero, which belongs to the SGR “Neurobiologia de l'estres i vulnerabilitat a la psicopatologia”. Professor Andero's group is focused on behavioural and neural mechanisms of stress and memory in the brain. Specifically, the laboratory studies how stress changes molecular processes underlying fear memories in the brains of both animal models and humans. Additional-ly, they aim to further understand sex differences in these fear memory circuits which will help to find more effective treatments for patients suffering anxiety and fear-based disorders such as Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder or spe-cific phobias. The candidate will collaborate with the Dr. Nadal and Dr. Del Rosario laboratories.

We are looking for candidates with an excellent CV, a high degree of ambition and motivation, and with good personal qualities to work in our Team. We offer a 3-year full-time contract (37,5 hours/week) and a gross salary of 2.375 €/month (the salary will be the same for the 3 years).
The candidates must fulfil the following eligibility criteria from the EC: Mobility rule: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the deadline for the programme call. Experience rule: researchers must be doctoral candidates at the date of recruitment, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the deadline of the open calls. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible. Candidates must hold a degree that allows admission to the official doctoral programme at UAB. 
We are looking for a predoctoral researcher with undergraduate studies in Psycholo-gy/Engineering and an MSc in Neuroscience or Cognitive Neuroscience to join our team. The candidate must have research experience in the areas of perception, con-sciousness, thinking, or emotions such as stress and fear.

Responsibilities: 
- Support design and development of experiments. 
- Assist in data processing and analysis using advanced statistical and artificial intelli-gence techniques. 
- Contribute to writing and publishing scientific articles in high-impact specialized jour-nals.

Requirements:
- Undergraduate studies in Psychology/Engineering. 
- Fluent in Spanish or Catalan and English. 
- Research experience in the fields of perception, consciousness, thinking, and emo-tions. 
- Publishing scientific articles would be an asset. 
- Skills in experimental design and execution, as well as data processing. 
    - Experience in one or more of the following techniques: o Electroencephalography (EEG) 
    o Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) 
    o Biosensors 
    
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the investigators for further information raul.andero@uab.cat .

Applicants should apply through the TOUCH online platform by submitting a full CV, a motivation letter, two letters of recommendation and academic and English level certificates. The call will be open from the 1st of February to the 31st of March 2025. More information about the TOUCH project, the recruitment process, and the application platform are available on the TOUCH website.
 

Website

https://webs.uab.cat/touch/

Research Field

Psychological sciences » Cognitive science

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Neurosciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Country

Spain

Geofield

State/Province

Catalonia

City

Cerdanyola del Valles - Barcelona

Website

http://www.uab.cat/

Street

Campus Bellaterra - Edifici Rectorat

Postal Code

08193

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