How stress and fear changes memory networks in the human brain

Research project description

A PhD position is available at the  Institute of Neuroscience from the Universitat Autònoma Barcelona under the supervision of Raul Andero, Roser Nadal and David Del Rosario. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Neurosciences programme at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in the framework of the TOUCH project. 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 training of 24 doctoral candidates in the field of mental health and wellbeing.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate that will investigate how stress and fear changes 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 particularly 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 neurobiological mechanisms underlying anxiety disorders, PTSD, and other mental health conditions.
This research could lead to better diagnostic tools, more effective treatments, and preventive measures by identifying early brain markers of mental health issues, facilitating 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 experiments. 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 PhD Neurosciences doctoral program at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in the framework of the TOUCH project.

Academic background / Skills

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.

Position Summary

We are looking for a predoctoral researcher with undergraduate studies in Psychology/Engineering and an MSc in Neuroscience or Cognitive Neuroscience to join our team. The candidate must have research experience in the areas of perception, consciousness, 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 intelligence techniques.

Contribute to writing and publishing scientific articles in high-impact specialized journals.

Requirements

Undergraduate studies in Psychology/Engineering.

Fluent in Spanish or Catalan and English.

Research experience in the fields of perception, consciousness, thinking, and emotions.

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

It is recommended the candidate has an interview with Professor Andero before applying to this scholarship: Raul.andero@uab.cat.

Research group/s description

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. Additionally, 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 specific phobias. The candidate will collaborate with the Dr. Nadal and Dr. Del Rosario laboratories.