Postdoctoral Fellow in brain-computer interfaces and neuroimaging

HSE University

Center for Bioelectric Interfaces


Moscow, Russia

Center for Bioelectric Interfaces in Moscow, Russia, invites applications for postdoctoral research positions in the field of brain-computer interfaces, neurofeedback and real-time neuroimaging.

The focus for this post is on development of novel methods for real-time analysis of non-invasively and invasively collected brain signals for BCI, neurofeedback and state-dependent TMS and tACS  stimulation. We expect familiarity with the EEG recording process, linear algebra and digital signal processing along  with sound technical skills and the interest and ability to conduct his or her own experiments and maintain the hardware. There is also an opportunity to work with invasively recorded multichannel ECoG data including experimental planning and data acquisition aimed at development of prosthetic control and communication applications of the invasive BCI technology.

The laboratory is a structural part of the HSE’s Institute for cognitive neuroscience with ample collaboration opportunities within Russia and internationally. Research facilities include multi-channel EEG, navigated TMS-EEG, behavioral and eye-tracking equipment, as well as local access to MEG, fMRI. The Neuroimaging Group operates in close collaboration with Moscow MEG Centre, Skolkovo Institute of Technology, Yandex company, University of Southern California Medical School, Aalto University, Finland.

Requirements

The general requirements for the postdoctoral fellowship positions are the following:

• Eligible candidates should hold a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Physics or Applied Mathematics;
• Previous experience with analysis of non-invasive EEG and MEG or invasive brain activity recordings  is required and to be proven by the publication record;
• Experience of hardware maintenance and design is a big plus;
• Familiarity with basic signal processing methods and appreciation of real-time processing constraints;
• Demonstrated familiarity with software development in at least of the following environments: Matlab, Python, R, C/C++;
• Knowledge of the modern software packages (PyTorch, Keras) implementing the deep learning methodology is a plus;
• Fluent English (knowledge of Russian is not required);
• Demonstrated ability and high motivation to conduct high-quality research publishable in international peer-reviewed journals. Relevant experience will be an asset although not required.

The position involves:
●      working under the direct supervision of professor Alexei Ossadtchi, Ph.D.
●      participants are encouraged to pursue their own research along with working on Center for Bioelectric Interfaces  research projects such as:
o  ECoG based BCI for motor control
o  ECoG and stereo EEG based speech prosthesis
o  Fine-grained decoding of wrist movements using multichannel surface myography
o  Development of the instantaneous neurofeedback technology (algorithms, hardware programming)
o  Advanced Kalman filtering for brain rhythms extraction
o  Brain-state dependent TMS, tACS stimulation 
●      writing research papers for international peer-reviewed journals in co-authorship with the members of the Center for Bioelectric Interfaces;
●      participation in the events of the Center for Bioelectric Interfaces and HSE’s Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience and other contribution to the Lab’s development;
●      public presentations of candidate’s own research to the academic community;
●      a small amount of teaching is encouraged, though not required.

Selected publications

Petrosyan, A., Voskoboinikov, A., Sukhinin, D., Makarova, A., Skalnaya, A., Arkhipova, N., Sinkin, M. & Ossadtchi, A. (2022). Speech decoding from a small set of spatially segregated minimally invasive intracranial EEG electrodes with a compact and interpretable neural network, Journal of Neural Engineering, 19 066016, DOI 10.1088/1741-2552/aca1e1

Petrosyan, A., Sinkin, M., Lebedev, M. A., & Ossadtchi, A.  Decoding and interpreting cortical signals with a compact convolutional neural network, 2021, Journal of Neural Engineering, 2021,https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/abe20e

Smetanin, N., Belinskaya, A., Lebedev, M. A., & Ossadtchi, A. Digital filters for low-latency quantification of brain rhythms in real-time. Journal of Neural Engineering, 2020,  29.07.20, 2, (импакт фактор издания  4.141)https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1741-2552/ab890f

Belinskaya, A., Smetanin, N., Lebedev, M. A., & Ossadtchi, A. Short-delay neurofeedback facilitates training of the parietal alpha rhythm. Journal of Neural Engineering, 2020, 16.12.20, (импакт фактор издания  4.141) https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/abc8d7

Ros, T., Enriquez-Geppert, S., Zotev, V., Young, K. D., Wood, G., Whitfield-Gabrieli, S., ...Ossadtchi, A., Lebedev, M. & Thibault, R. T. Consensus on the reporting and experimental design of clinical and cognitive-behavioural neurofeedback studies (CRED-nf checklist). Brain, 2020, Vol. 143. No. 3. P. 1-12 (импакт фактор издания 11.337)https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaa009

Kirasirova, L., Bulanov, V., Ossadtchi, A., Kolsanov, A., Pyatin, V., & Lebedev, M. (2020). A P300 brain-computer interface with a reduced visual field. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14.

Lebedev, M. A., Ossadtchi, A. E., Okorokova, E., Erlichman, J. S., Rupasov, V. I., & Linderman, M. (2020). Generating Handwriting from Multichannel Electromyographic Activity. In Brain–Computer Interface Research (pp. 11-23). Springer, Cham.

Lebedev, M. A., Ossadtchi, A., Mill, N. A., Urpí, N. A., Cervera, M. R., & Nicolelis, M. A. (2019). Analysis of neuronal ensemble activity reveals the pitfalls and shortcomings of rotation dynamics. Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-14.

Volkova, K., Lebedev, M. A., Kaplan, A., & Ossadtchi, A. (2019). Decoding movement from electrocorticographic activity: A review. Frontiers in neuroinformatics, 13, 74.

Smetanin, N., Volkova, K., Zabodaev, S., Lebedev, M. A., & Ossadtchi, A. (2018). NFBLab—A Versatile Software for Neurofeedback and Brain-Computer Interface Research. Frontiers in neuroinformatics, 12, 100.

Lebedev, M. A., & Ossadtchi, A. (2018). Bidirectional neural interfaces. In Brain–Computer Interfaces Handbook (pp. 701-720). CRC Press

Conditions

Appointments are normally made for one year. Postdoctoral fellows have an opportunity of renewal of the contract (no more than two times).

HSE University offers postdoctoral fellows a competitive salary, the standard medical insurance plan, a working space equipped with a computer and free Internet access at the University.

The Сenter provides access to

●      multimodal neuroimaging facilities (mobile EEG, MEG, OPM-MEG, electromyography, polygraphic measurements eye-tracking and a virtual reality setup)

●      access to patients with implanted ECoG grids and depth electrodes

●      neuromodulation equipment (brain-navigated TMS, tDCS, tACS)

●      a virtual reality setup and high performance computing facilities

Application Process

Applications must be submitted online. Please provide a CV, a statement of research interest and a recent research paper submitted via an online application form. At least two letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the International Faculty Recruitment Office at fellowship@hse.ru before the application deadline. Please note that direct applications to the hiring Center may not be reviewed.

Read more about the application process here.

The deadline for the applications is January 31, 2022.

Apply now

For more information:
-         about Postdoctoral Fellowship -Frequently Asked Questions
-         about HSE university –official web-site
-         about the Center for Bioelectric Interfaces or contact Alexei Ossadtchi [aossadtchi@hse.ru, ossadtchi@gmail.com] directly;
-         about international specialists' life in Moscow -International Faculty Support .