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PhD and Post-doc positions at Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Dublin, Ireland



I'd like to pass on information about PhD and Post-doc positions available at the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering in Dublin, Ireland.

http://www.tcd.ie/bioengineering/opportunities/#acoustic

and

http://www.tcd.ie/bioengineering/assets/pdf/neuralpos.pdf 

Details below:

RESEARCH POSITIONS IN NEURAL ENGINEERING - Trinity Centre for Bioengineering

Cognitive decline and its consequences is one of the biggest limiting factors to independence in the elderly. The prevalence of cognitive impairment sharply increases with age. In the next decade, the number of people over 60 is forecast to double from Year 2002 count, growing to almost 1.2 billion people. By 2050 this will increase to 2 billion and the cost of caring for the elderly over 80 in OECD countries may triple from current level of 1.5% of gross domestic product. Considerable research is directed at a better understanding of the mechanisms of ageing, specifically those associated with cognitive function. Recent evidence has suggested that age-related changes in behaviour, brain structure and brain function may be far more complex than previously thought.

Speaking is one of the most complex and important human skills. During speaking phonological plans are formed and executed at 5-10 syllables per second using approximately 100 different muscles. Many older persons experience difficulties and breakdowns in speech production, such as reduced speaking rate and increased durations of segments, syllables, and sentences compared to younger adults. These age-related impairments in speech production are likely related to a decline in oro-facial motor control, as shown by decreased accuracy of movement amplitudes and increased temporal variability of movements as well as impairment of phonological processing, in particular the sequencing of phonological units.

Based on these behavioural findings and the results of our previous studies into speech production, the aim of this study is to compare the neural correlates of speech production between healthy older and younger adults using a brain imaging (fMRI and EEG) during specific cognitive challenging speech tasks.

The Neural Engineering Group within the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering invites applications for Post-Doctoral Researcher and PhD student positions with specific acoustic signal processing and neuroimaging skills.

More information can be obtained from Professor Richard Reilly (email: reillyri@xxxxxx)

Or at http://www.tcd.ie/bioengineering/assets/pdf/neuralpos.pdf

 

POST-DOC POSITIONS IN NEURAL ENGINEERING - Trinity Centre for Bioengineering

Post-Doctoral Researcher in Biomedical Acoustic Signal Processing

The Neural Engineering Group within the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Researcher with specific acoustic signal processing skills. This position will be in collaboration with Professor Richard Costello at the Royal College Surgeons in Ireland and funded by the Health Research Board from 2011-2013.

The candidate will also be required to:

·         1) Play a leading role in the development of novel theoretical ideas for analysis of biomedical signals, particularly acoustic signals for the detection, analysis and classification of respiratory function

·         2) Participate in the specification, design and validation of new and improved linear and non-linear signal processing methods and techniques for acoustic analysis.

·         3) Operate independently with weekly or biweekly supervision.

·         4) Write journal papers for publication, research and development grants on innovative methods and approaches for acoustic analysis in biomedical applications.

·         5) Work with clinicians and neuropsychologists to develop and evaluate new and improved signal processing systems.

·         6) Prepare progress and technical reports on the research project.

·         7) Represent the Neural Engineering Group in outside discussions (technical and scientific fora) including collaborations with faculty, researchers and clinicians.

·         8) Work closely with internal Trinity Centre for Bioengineering research staff to develop and validate complete acoustic signal acquisition and processing subsystems and to integrate these subsystems into a complete acoustic respiratory analysis system.

·         9) Act as a technical resource for research staff involved in the development of signal processing technologies and assist in the technical investigation and resolution of biomedical signal processing issues.

Primary Function:

65%: Carry out theoretical studies, development of algorithms, and testing applications. Analyse real experimental data (audio, behavioural). Help develop new and improved signal processing algorithms. Help provide the technical focus and direction for the signal processing development effort required for a project. 20%: Work as project team leader on the specification, design, development, integration and validation of complete signal processing technologies. Participate as design engineer during the initial phase of signal processing software development.10%: Report research progress and results with funding agencies. Identify funding opportunities for development of this research activity.5%: Provide support to other laboratory research staff and students regarding biomedical signal processing issues.

The candidate must have a PhD in signal processing and will have journal publications in the field of audio and acoustic signal processing and be:

·         1) Familiar with Signal Processing tools and Languages (Matlab, C++, etc)

·         2) Familiar with statistical analysis of experimental data

·         3) Able to work autonomously, managing and reporting on their assigned projects

More information can be obtained from Professor Richard Reilly (email: reillyri@xxxxxx)

Or at http://www.tcd.ie/bioengineering/opportunities/#acoustic