PhD position in cochlear implant psychophysics

A Ph.D. position in cochlear implant (CI) research is open from January 2012 for three years to work in the laboratory of Mechanics and Acoustics (LMA) in Marseille, France. The project is funded by the ANR (Agence nationale de la Recherche) and is part of collaborations with Bob Carlyon from the MRC in Cambridge, the LNIA laboratory of Marseille and La Timone hospital. The goals are (1) to better understand the underlying mechanisms of electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve via a combination of psychophysical and electrophysiological experiments conducted with human CI listeners, (2) to optimise the choice of stimulus parameters in contemporary CIs and (3) to propose and test novel ways of coding sound information electrically to improve the perception of sounds by implant users.

Applications are invited from students with a high interest in auditory perception, strong quantitative skills, and a Master's degree in engineering, neuroscience, physics, physiology, audiology or a related topic.

The candidate will develop experimental software, will be trained to conduct human subject testing in an independent way, and will participate in the dissemination of results at scientific conferences and in journal publications.

The ability to work with human subjects, good English speaking and writing skills, and previous experience in the field of auditory sciences will be especially considered. Some knowledge of French is required.

For further details, please contact Olivier Macherey at macherey@lma.cnrs-mrs.fr
To apply, send CV, cover letter and the contact details of one or two personal references.