Job Postings and Announcements

Scientific Meetings & Calls for Papers

Call For Papers-- "The Cognitive And Neural Organisation Of Speech Processing"

In collaboration with Frontiers in Psychology, we are organising a Research Topic titled "The cognitive and neural organisation of speech processing". We welcome contributions from SNL members. 

Title: The cognitive and neural organisation of speech processing

Editors: 

Patti Adank(p.adank@ucl.ac.uk), Speech, Hearing and Phonetic Sciences, UCL, UK.

Sonja Kotz(kotz@cbs.mpg.de),  Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Bran Sciences, Germany.

Carolyn McGettigan (carolyn.mcgettigan@rhul.ac.uk), Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, UK.

Deadlines:

Abstract on 1 Oct 2013

Article on 1 March 2014

Description:

Speech production and perception are some of the most complex actions humans perform. Speech processing is studied across various fields and using a wide variety of research approaches. These fields include, but are not limited to, (socio)linguistics, cognitive psychology, neurophysiology, and cognitive neuroscience. Research approaches range from behavioural studies to neuroimaging techniques such as MEG/EEG and fMRI, as well as neurophysiological approaches, including recording of MEPs, TMS. 

Each of these approaches provides valuable information about specific aspects of speech processing. Behavioural testing can inform about the nature of the cognitive processes involved in speech processing, neuroimaging methods show where (fMRI and MEG) in the brain these processes take place and/or elucidate on the time-course of activation of these brain areas (EEG and MEG), while neurophysiological methods (MEPs and TMS) can assess critical involvement of brain regions in the cognitive process. Yet, what is currently unclear is how speech researchers can combine methods such that a convergent approach adds to theory/model formulation, above and beyond the contribution of individual component methods? We expect that such combinations of approaches will significantly forward theoretical development in the field. 

Researchers in speech science are starting to converge methods. For instance, TMS and fMRI have been combined to establish the functional localisation and specific functional role in naming in aphasia patients, and manipulation of speech production has been used to test hypotheses about the neural organisation of speech perception. We think these combinations of approaches are extremely interesting and would welcome a discussion on how research methods can best be combined and used in the development of models of speech processing that make predictions about the cognitive processes and neural substrates associated with listening and speaking. 

This research topic explores the cognitive and neural organisation of speech processing, including speech production and perception at the level of individual speech sounds, syllables, words, and sentences. We invite original research and review articles covering these topics in the context of human studies, with a view to further elucidate the neural and cognitive mechanisms that together make up the human speech processing system. Although we are especially interested in papers that report on research using convergent methods to study speech processing, with the aim of constructing a theory/model of speech processing, any submission that can make a link to our central theme is welcome. Our goal is to use findings from a variety of disciplines, perspectives, and approaches to gain a more complete picture of the organisation of speech processing.

The idea behind a research topic is to create an organised, comprehensive collection of several contributions, as well as a forum for discussion and debate. Contributions can be articles describing original research, methods, hypothesis & theory, opinions, etc.

We have created a homepage on the Frontiers website (section "Frontiers in Human Neuroscience") where all articles will appear after peer-review and where participants in the topic will be able to hold relevant discussions, see here also for more informaitons and information on how to submit an abstract:

http://www.frontiersin.org/Human_Neuroscience/researchtopics/The_cognitive_and_neural_organ/1886

.

Autumn School--Methods For Studying Sentence Comprehension, Nov 14-17, Trento, Italy

Methods in language comprehension: New methods for studying sentence comprehension in Cognitive Science, Behavioral Science and Neuroscience.  Rovereto, Italy, November 14-17, 2013. University of Trento

Applications are now open for a four-day autumn school that will cover new methods of data analysis in sentence comprehension and expose participants to cutting-edge methods for analyzing language data collected with behavioral and neuroscientific methods.  The school's instructors are experts in corpus based analysis, EEG, ERP and fMRI methods as applied to complex language inputs.  Each will present a theoretical module and either supervise data analysis sessions or discuss data analysis issues.  The target audience is graduate students and post-docs involved in studying language comprehension using corpus-based tools, electrophysiology, fMRI or combinations of these techniques. 

Extended information on the program, costs, application procedures and deadlines is available on the school's website:

http://www.unitn.it/ateneo/evento/30237/autumn-school-methods-in-language-comprehension

Instructors:

1.  Marcel Bastiaansen (Breda University & Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics)

2.  Stefan Frank  (Radboud University & University College London)

3.  Gina Kuperberg (Tufts University & Massachusetts General Hospital)

4.  Jeremy Skipper (Hamilton College & University College London)

Organizing Committee (from the Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences and the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences: CIMeC of the University of Trento): Giovanna Egidi, Uri Hasson, Remo Job, Francesco Vespignani, and Roberto Zamparelli.

Call For Papers--"The Metaphorical Brain" 

 We are currently organizing a Research Topic at Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, and we welcome contributions from SNL members.

Research Topic Title: The Metaphorical Brain

Topic Editors: Vicky T. Lai, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Netherlands, Seana Coulson, University of California at San Diego, USA

Description: Metaphor has been an issue of intense research and debate for decades. Researchers in various disciplines, including linguistics, psychology, computer science, education, and philosophy have developed a variety of theories, and much progress has been made. For one, metaphor is no longer considered a rhetorical flourish that is found mainly in literary texts. Rather, linguists have shown that metaphor is a pervasive phenomenon in everyday language, a major force in the development of new word meanings, and the source of at least some grammatical function words. Indeed, one of the most influential theories of metaphor involves the suggestion that the commonality of metaphoric language results because cross-domain mappings are a major determinant in the organization of semantic memory, as cognitive and neural resources for dealing with concrete domains are recruited for the conceptualization of more abstract ones. Researchers in cognitive neuroscience have explored whether particular kinds of brain damage are associated with metaphor production and comprehension deficits, and whether similar brain regions are recruited when healthy adults understand the literal and metaphorical meanings of the same words. Whereas early research on this topic focused on the issue of the role of hemispheric asymmetry in the comprehension and production of metaphors, in recent years cognitive neuroscientists have argued that metaphor is not a monolithic category, and that metaphor processing varies as a function of numerous factors, including the novelty or conventionality of a particular metaphoric expression, its part of speech, and the extent of contextual support for the metaphoric meaning. Moreover, recent developments in cognitive neuroscience point to a sensorimotor basis for many concrete concepts, and raise the issue of whether these mechanisms are ever recruited to process more abstract domains.

In order to promote the development of the neuroscientific investigation of metaphor, this Frontiers Research Topic aims at bringing together contributions from researchers in cognitive neuroscience and related fields, whose work involves the study of metaphor in language and thought. Specifically, this special issue will adopt an interdisciplinary perspective on the cognitive and neural basis of metaphor production and comprehension. Here, an important focal point will be to characterize the underlying processes and mechanisms involved in metaphoric language and identify their relationship, if any, to those involved in the organization of semantic memory. For this Research Topic, we, therefore, solicit original research articles, reviews, opinion and method papers, that investigate the cognitive neuroscience of metaphor. While focusing on work in the neurosciences, this Research Topic also welcomes contributions in the form of behavioral studies, psychophysiological investigations, methodological innovations, computational approaches, along with developmental and patient studies that revisit established findings and explore new questions about the neural basis of metaphor.

This Frontiers Special Issue will synthesize current findings on the cognitive neuroscience of metaphor, provide a forum for voicing novel perspectives, and promote new insights into the metaphorical brain.

Deadline for abstract submission: 01 Sep 2013

Deadline for full article submission: 01 Apr 2014

For more information and for submitting your abstract, please visit:

http://www.frontiersin.org/Human_Neuroscience/researchtopics/The_Metaphorical_Brain/1795

International Conference on Multilingualism:Linguistic Challenges and Neurocognitive Mechanisms 

24-25 October 2013 (Thursday and Friday)

Hosted by McGill University in Montreal, Canada

Abstract Submission Deadline: 30th June 2013

Conference Website:  http://multilingualism.conference.mcgill.ca

The conference examines recent advances in our understanding of multilingualism, including simultaneous bilingualism, language learning mechanisms, sign language, transfer effects, brain plasticity and critical periods, providing a critical overview of current developments in this field. Another important goal of this conference is to facilitate and inspire the interdisciplinary exchange of ideas among researchers and students from different backgrounds, and to promote collaborative research projects in the future. 

Invited Speakers:

Manuel Carreiras (BCBL, Spain)

Harald Clahsen (University of Potsdam)

Holger Hopp (University of Mannheim)

Sonja Kotz (University of Manchester + MPI)

Rachel Mayberry (University of California, San Diego)

Silvina Montrul (University of Illinois)

Eric Pakulak (University of Oregon)

Elin Thordardottir (McGill University)

Important dates:

01 July 2013 - Registration opens

15 August 2013 - 'Early bird' registration ends

For further information please visit our Conference Website:  http://multilingualism.conference.mcgill.ca

The conference is also part of a number of events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders (SCSD) at McGill. You will have opportunities to visit the research facilities of the School as well as the interdisciplinary Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music that brings together top scientists from all four universities in Montreal.

Last but not least - Montreal is one of the most vibrant multilingual cities in the world !   You may wish to stay an extra day or two to experience 'applied multilingualism', Montreal's famous cuisine, and the city's multi-faceted cultural life.

We hope to see you all in October,

Karsten Steinhauer, PhD  (Chair, Organizing Committee)

Conference Contact: multilingualism2013@gmail.com

51st Annual Meeting of the Academy of Aphasia, Lucerne, Switzerland

This year marks the 51st Annual Meeting of the Academy of Aphasia which will be held in Lucerne, Switzerland from October 20-22, 2013.

We are pleased to announce that Stanislas Dehaene will be this year's luncheon speaker. Dr. Dehaene is Professor and Chair of Experimental Cognitive Psychology at the College dè France and Director of the INSERM-CEA Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit in France.  Further information about Dr. Dehaene can be found at: http://www.college-de-france.fr/site/en-stanislas-dehaene/

The meeting will be held at Hotel Continental Park in Lucerne, Switzerland.

For more information about the conference location, please refer to the Academy website:

http://www.academyofaphasia.org/.  Information will be posted as it becomes available. 

Faculty & Instructor Positions

Assistant Instructor Position--Psychology, New York University at Abu Dhabi 

New York University has established a campus in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and invites applications for several Assistant Instructor positions. We encourage applicants with experience in teaching, preferable at the undergraduate level, and in planning and conducting laboratory experiments in psychology, cognitive science, biology, or related fields. An M.S. or a B.S. with experience in psychology, cognitive science, biology, or a related field is preferred.

The instructors will support NYU Abu Dhabi's educational mission by instructing the laboratory courses that are part of the integrated science curriculum for all science majors at the University. The instructors prepare experiments, take part in departmental activities and responsibilities, and provide assistance with the preparation, development, instruction and assessment of laboratory courses and other instructional venues. The instructors are expected to reinforce and adhere to safety and safeguarding protocols and maintain cleanliness of laboratories and workspaces. 

New York University has established itself as a Global Network University, a multi- site, organically connected network encompassing key global cities and idea capitals. The network has three degree-granting campuses - New York, Shanghai, and Abu Dhabi - complemented by 12 additional academic centers across five continents. Faculty and students will circulate within the network in pursuit of common research interests and cross-cultural, interdisciplinary endeavors, both local and global.

Entering its fourth year, NYU Abu Dhabi has recruited a cohort of faculty who are at once distinguished in their research and teaching.  Our students are drawn from around the world and surpass all traditional recruitment benchmarks, both US and global. NYU Abu Dhabi's highly selective liberal arts enterprise is complemented by an institute for advanced research, sponsoring cutting-edge projects across the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, and Engineering.

Applicants need to submit a curriculum vitae, statement of research and teaching interests, representative publications and three letters of reference in PDF format to be considered. Please visit our website at http://nyuad.nyu.edu/about/careers/faculty-positions.html for instructions and other information on how to apply. 

The application deadline is July 15, 2013. 

If you have any questions, please e-mail nyuad.science@nyu.edu.

NYU Abu Dhabi is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

1-3 Faculty Positions--Interventional Cognitive Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

Postdoctoral Positions

Postdoctoral Position--Speech and Brain Research Group, Oxford

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Speech and Brain Research Group, Oxford

Three-year NIH-funded fellowships are available at the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (MRRI), in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), for research training in cognitive and motor neuroscience and neurorehabilitation. This program is designed to prepare young investigators to adapt emerging theoretical advances to the development of rehabilitation treatments. Available mentors conduct patient-oriented research using approaches that utilize behavioral, computational, imaging, electrophysiologic, and electrical and pharmacologic neuromodulation methods. We welcome applications from individuals with a doctorate in psychology, cognitive science, communication science, kinesiology, movement science, or human neuroscience, who wish to learn to apply basic science principles to the study and treatment of behavioral and brain deficits in adult neurological patients. Applicants must have a track record in research and an interest in developing an independent research career. 

More details, including a list of available mentors, are available at: 

Applications should be submitted to Kevin Whelihan, Research Administrator, (whelihank@einstein.edu ) and must include:

Applications are invited for a post-doc position on cognitive modeling funded by a European Research Council Starting Grant led by F.-Xavier Alario.

PROJECT:

The 5-year project LIPS examines the cognitive and neural mechanisms involved in lexical information processing.  The project combines theoretical cognitive psychology with mental chronometry and neurophysiological (EEG/MEG) recordings.

The person hired will be responsible for developing and implementing quantitative models of response selection. The primary duties will involve designing computational and statistical models and simulations that lead to testable predictions, as well as disseminating findings through journal articles and conference presentations.

REQUIREMENTS:

The candidates must have (1) A PhD degree obtained in a relevant field of research, (2) solid demonstrable scientific expertise (i.e. published articles in international scientific journals), (3) experience in quantitative models of cognitive processing, especially pertaining to response selection or decision making (or other comparable models),  (4) extensive programming skills in {R | Matlab | Python | ...}.

The ideal candidates are highly motivated and creative individuals, capable of working independently and in groups.  Previous experience with language processing research is not a requirement, a stated interest for language research is a plus. The working language is English.

CONDITIONS:

The group offers a rich and stimulating research environment, with strong cross-disciplinary interactions and active international collaborations, in which the selected candidate can expect to participate.  For further information, please visit www.univ-provence.fr/wlpc/alario.

This position is based in Marseille / Aix-en-Provence.  It is intended to start on September 1st, 2013, but the date is negotiable.

The position is full time, for 12+12 months, with a gross salary between 30,000 and 43,000 EUR per year (depending on training & experience) including social benefits and health insurance.

INQUIRIES & APPLICATIONS:

Please visit http://gsite.univ-provence.fr/gsite/document.php?pagendx=10248&project=lpc

The Gaab Lab http://childrenshospital.org/research/gaablab and (babymri.org)) at the Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience at Boston Children's Hospital (Developmental Medicine Center) invites applications for a NIH funded post-doctoral associate in the area of developmental cognitive neuroscience/pediatric fMRI. 

Available resources include a 3.0T MRI scanner, a child-friendly Mock scanner and analysis platforms based in MATLAB/UNIX. The candidate will be expected to oversee pediatric and infant (f)MRI experiments, analyze behavioral and fMRI data, prepare manuscripts for publication, and participate in conferences.

The NIH and foundation funded projects will focus on language processing in autism, neural and behavioral pre-markers of developmental dyslexia in infants and pre-reading children as well as typical reading and language development throughout childhood. The successful applicant should have a doctoral degree in a field related to developmental cognitive neuroscience (e.g., cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience, psychology, developmental psychology, medicine). Individuals with a background in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering or computer science will also be considered. The successful applicant must possess excellent English verbal and written communication skills. Applicants are expected to have a very strong research background in the design and statistical analysis of functional brain-imaging experiments. Experience with one of the fMRI analyses programs (SPM, FSL, Freesurfer) a must. Programming skills (MATLAB, C++; Python) are desirable and experience with MVPA or connectivity analyses a plus. Experience with pediatric functional neuroimaging and language and reading research are useful. Approximate start date is Summer/Early Fall 2013 (the earlier the better). Successful applicants will be appointed at Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School.

For consideration please send a statement of interest, a CV and a list of three potential referees via email to Nadine Gaab, PhD (nadine.gaab@childrens.harvard.edu). The search will continue until the position is filled. 

We are seeking two full time postdoctoral fellows to participate in our new Institute of Education Sciences (IES) postdoctoral training program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Two appointments will begin in the fall of 2013, with additional appointments in following years. These postdoctoral fellowships present a unique opportunity to participate in a peer-approved program designed to support the development of excellent scholars in education research.  Fellows will receive rigorous, interdisciplinary training in one or more of the following areas:mathematical development and learning, language acquisition and literacy, learning disabilities,and methodological approaches to the study of learning and development. Our postdoctoral program targets competencies related content in education and cognitive science, research methods, practical knowledge, and outreach to train the next generation of education researchers.  Specific research projects will be based upon the joint interests of the fellow and the faculty mentor(s).  

The program brings together a multi-disciplinary research team, including faculty members with expertise in mathematics development and learning disabilities, spatial learning, language and literacy, intervention design, and quantitative methods. The core team includes Dr. Nancy Jordan, Dr. Roberta Golinkoff, and Dr. Henry May, who will serve as primary mentors for the fellows.  

The appointments will begin in September 2013. Applicants must possess their doctoral degree before that date.  All qualified U.S. citizens and permanent residents with doctoral degrees in relevant disciplines (e.g., education, psychology, cognitive science, quantitative research methods) will be considered. Salary is set by IES at $52,500 annually plus benefits. Additionally, each fellow will receive an annual research and travel allowance of $9,500. 

To Apply: Applicants should send the following materials to Dr. Nancy Jordan at njordan@udel.edu: (1) A letter of interest detailing the applicant's graduation date, research interests, and areas of competence along with short- and long-term career goals; (2) Curriculum vitae; (3) Contact information for three references; and (4) Reprints, preprints, or other scholarly writing samples. The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer, which encourages applications from minority group members and women. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http: //www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html.

Advanced Degree Programs

Doctoral Training--The Erasmus Mundus Program "International Doctorate for Experimental Approaches to Language And Brain" (IDEALAB) 

The Erasmus Mundus Program has been established as an outstanding 3-year doctoral training. Its primary focus is on language acquisition and disorders integrating interdisciplinary approaches.

Research Assistant Positions

Lab Manager/Research Assistant Position--Cognitive Neuroscience, Arizona State University

A research assistant/lab manager position will soon be available in the newly formed Communication Neuroimaging and Neuroscience Laboratory (CoNiLab) at Arizona State University, directed by Dr. Corianne Rogalsky. This position is an exciting opportunity to be an integral part of a new research lab. Our research will be devoted to the cognitive neuroscience of language and music in the healthy and damaged brain, using techniques including fMRI, DTI, neuropsychological testing, and high-resolution lesion mapping.

Responsibilities will include administrative management of the lab, behavioral and fMRI data collection, contacting and scheduling research participants, managing institutional review board (IRB) protocols, and data scoring and analysis. There will be ample opportunities to be heavily involved in fMRI and behavioral experiment design/programming, fMRI and DTI analyses, and lesion-symptom mapping analyses. Responsibilities will also initially include setting up computers, equipment, and procedures in the new lab. This requires an applicant with strong initiative to problem solve, be self-sufficient, and efficiently multitask.

Requirements include spoken and written proficiency in English, a minimum of a bachelor-level degree (e.g., BA or BS), preferably in psychology, neuroscience, computer science, or a related field, and willingness to make a 2-year commitment. Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to effectively recruit and work with participants (including special populations), and other members of the lab are essential. Preference will be given to applicants who also are proficient with the linux computing environment, are familiar with Matlab, and/or have experience with neuroimaging analysis software such as AFNI or FSL.

The CoNi Lab is situated in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at ASU.  ASU is located in Tempe, Arizona, in the metropolitan Phoenix area, which has a thriving neuroscience and neuroimaging community including the Mayo Clinic, Barrow Neurological Institute, and the brand new Imaging Center at Banner Alzheimer's Institute. Tempe features 330 days of sunshine a year.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. The preferred start date is September 1st, but later start dates will also be considered.  If interested, please email a cover letter (including a description of research interests, qualifications, future goals, and available start date), a CV, and contact information for two references to corianne.rogalsky@asu.edu.

Arizona State University is an equal opportunity employer.