TopOfNewsletterSeptember 2013

 

 

 

ArticleOneUpcoming Events

 

Plans for the 5th Annual Society for the Neurobiology of Language Meeting are kicking into high gear! The Conference is an exciting opportunity to meet and reconnect with colleagues from around the globe. This year's venue, the Westin San Diego, is located in the heart of the city and is home to more than 200 restaurants, coffeehouses and nightclubs.

 

SNL 2013 will feature three keynote sessions as well as two lively debates about the role of the right hemisphere in figurative language processing and the interaction between semantic and phonological information in reading. State-of-the-art keynotes will be delivered by Janet Werker, Terry Sejnowski and Bob Knight. For more information, visit the 2013 Scientific Program.

 

Hotel Reservations

Have you reserved your room yet for SNL 2013? The SNL hotel discount cut-off is Wednesday, October 16.

The Westin San Diego is offering SNL attendees a special room rate of $190. Attendees will receive complimentary wireless internet in their rooms. Don't get caught without a room --

 

Online Registration

Online registration is available through October 22. Register now to avoid the higher onsite rates. 

 

Notices of Accepted Abstracts

All presenters have been notified of their accepted abstracts.

View Poster Presentation Schedule 

View Slide Presentation Schedule 

If you have not received your notification, please contact submissions@neurolang.org.

Important Dates 

 

Notices of Accepted Abstracts Sent

August 17, 2013

 

Board of Director Elections Opens

October 2, 2013

   

Discounted Hotel Reservations

October 16, 2013

(subject to availability)

 

Online Registration Closes

October 22, 2013

 

SNL 2013

 November 6-8, 2013

San Diego, CA, USA

 

 

In This Issue  

  

  Upcoming Events

 

 

 Job Postings & Announcements 

 If you have a job posting, general announcement, conference or workshop posting that you would like to include in the SNL newsletter, please send it to

 

 

 

 

 

 

City of San Diego

 

JobPostingsJob Postings and Announcements

 

ScientificMeetingsScientific Meetings & Calls for Papers

 

ISGS 6 in San Diego

The International Society for Gesture Studies (ISGS) is pleased to announce the Sixth Conference of the Society for Gesture Studies: Gesture in Interaction. It will be held on the campus of the University of California, San Diego, July 8-11, 2014. Devoted to the study of multimodality in communication, the ISGS is an interdisciplinary group of researchers including anthropologists, cognitive scientists, computer scientists, linguists, neuroscientists, psychologists, and semioticians. The Society convenes for a major international conference every two years, and the 2014 meeting will be the 6th.

 

We invite abstracts that address any aspect of the study of gesture and multimodality, including but not limited to: the relationship between sign and gesture; the cognitive and neural underpinnings of gesture; the contribution of gesture to language production and comprehension; the role of gesture in situated language use; and how gesture mediates interaction in the social, cultural, and technological world. We welcome papers on any aspect of bodily communication and are open to all theoretical and disciplinary perspectives.

 

Plenary Speakers:
Herbert Clark, Stanford University
Susan Wagner Cook, University of Iowa
Marjorie H. Goodwin, UCLA
Marianne Gullberg, Lund University
Asli Özyürek, MPI Nijmegen and Radboud University
Andy Wilson, Microsoft Research

 

Abstract Submission: We invite abstracts of no more than 500 words. Abstracts must report previously unpublished work. Three kinds of presentation are available:

 

Paper presentations: Paper presentations will be 25 minutes, with 20 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for discussion.

 

Thematic Panels: Papers that address a common theme may be submitted as a Thematic Panel. Panels should consist of four talks, which must be submitted individually as Paper Presentations. Each individual abstract should indicate the name of the proposed Thematic Panel.

 

Poster presentation: Poster presentations are an opportunity for more extended interaction. Posters will be displayed during poster sessions, with ample opportunity for discussion.
Abstract Submission opens on September 1, 2013, after which you will be able to submit your abstracts at the following site:  http://linguistlist.org/easyabs/ISGS2014  

 

Important Dates:
September 1, 2013: Submission Opens
November 15, 2013: Submission Deadline
December 15, 2013: Notification of Acceptance
January 15, 2014: Registration Opens
July 8 - 11, 2014: Conference

 

Conference Language: The conference language will be English. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be available.


Organization and Coordination Committee:
Carol Padden, Department of Communication, UC San Diego Seana Coulson, Department of Cognitive Science, UC San Diego John Haviland, Department of Anthropology, UC San Diego
Tyler Marghetis, Department of Cognitive Science, UC San Diego Sharon Seegers, Center for Research in Language, UC San Diego

Call For Papers--"The Metaphorical Brain" at Frontiers in Human Neuroscience   

We are currently organizing a Research Topic at Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, and we welcome contributions. Research Topic Title: The Metaphorical Brain
 

Deadline for abstract submission: 01 Oct 2013 

Deadline for full article submission: 01 Mar 2014
 

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 Oct 2013
Deadline for full article submission: 01 Mar 2014


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

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

 

Call For Papers--"Multisensory And Sensorimotor Interactions In Speech Perception"

We welcome contributions to our Frontiers Research Topic: "Multisensory and sensorimotor interactions in speech perception"

 

Topic Editors:

Kaisa Tiippana, University of Helsinki, Finland

Jean-Luc Schwartz, CNRS, France

Riikka Mottonen, University of Oxford, United Kingdom 

 

Deadline for abstract submission: 01 Oct 2013

Deadline for full article submission: 03 Feb 2014

  

Description:

Speech is multisensory since it is perceived through several senses. Audition is the most important one as speech is mostly heard. The role of vision has long been acknowledged since many articulatory gestures can be seen on the talker's face. Sometimes speech can even be felt by touching the face. The best-known multisensory illusion is the McGurk effect, where incongruent visual articulation changes the auditory percept. The interest in the McGurk effect arises from a major general question in multisensory research: How is information from different senses combined? Despite decades of research, a conclusive explanation for the illusion remains elusive. This is a good demonstration of the challenges in the study of multisensory integration.

 

Speech is special in many ways. It is the main means of human communication, and a manifestation of a unique language system. It is a signal with which all humans have a lot of experience. We are exposed to it from birth, and learn it through development in face-to-face contact with others. It is a signal that we can both perceive and produce. The role of the motor system in speech perception has been debated for a long time. Despite very active current research, it is still unclear to which extent, and in which role, the motor system is involved in speech perception. Recent evidence shows that brain areas involved in speech production are activated during listening to speech and watching a talker's articulatory gestures. Speaking involves coordination of articulatory movements and monitoring their auditory and somatosensory consequences. How do auditory, visual, somatosensory, and motor brain areas interact during speech perception? How do these sensorimotor interactions contribute to speech perception?

 

It is surprising that despite a vast amount of research, the secrets of speech perception have not yet been solved. The multisensory and sensorimotor approaches provide new opportunities in solving them. Contributions to the research topic are encouraged for a wide spectrum of research on speech perception in multisensory and sensorimotor contexts, including novel experimental findings ranging from psychophysics to brain imaging, theories and models, reviews and opinions.

 

For more information on how to submit your abstract and manuscript:

http://www.frontiersin.org/Language_Sciences/researchtopics/Multisensory_and_sensorimotor_/1721

 

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.

 

International Conference on Multilingualism:  Linguistic Challenges and Neurocognitive Mechanisms 

24-25 October 2013 (Thursday and Friday)

Hosted by McGill University in Montreal, Canada

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)

 

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.

 

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

 

FacultyPositions

Faculty Positions

 

Research Faculty Position at Chinese University of Hong Kong

A Research Assistant Professor position is available in the newly established Laboratory for Language, Learning, and the Brain at the The Chinese University of Hong Kong (PI: Patrick Wong). We welcome individuals from any disciplines whose research addresses aspects of speech, hearing, language, and communication broadly defined. This is a three-year, non-tenure-track research faculty position subject to final University approval. Candidates with experience in basic and clinical research across the lifespan are all encouraged to apply. We are particularly interested in broad thinkers with good quantitative skills to join our team. Candidates with experience in behavioral, neural, and genetic research will all be considered. The anticipated start date is Jan 2, 2014, but can be flexible. The Chinese University of Hong Kong ranks among top 40 in the world according to QS World University Rankings. Hong Kong offers a multitude of living possibilities that include rural living in the New Territories where the University is located.

 

For inquiries, candidates should email CV to Patrick Wong (p.wong@cuhk.edu.hk).  Visit http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/lin/llb/ for more information about our work. Review of applications will begin immediately.  For formal application procedures, see the University advertisement: http://www.per.cuhk.edu.hk/JobVacancies/TeachingAdministrativeandProfessionalPosts/tabid/202/Default.aspx 

 

Department Chair in Psychology, Rice University

The Department of Psychology at Rice University invites applications and nominations for Chair of the department to begin July 1, 2014. In addition to being at the rank of Full Professor with a PhD in Psychology, candidates should exhibit a strong history of research and external funding, as well as a commitment to the highest standards of scholarship, professional activity, faculty engagement and mentorship, and graduate and undergraduate education.

 

Candidates may represent any area of psychology (e.g., cognitive, developmental, social, human factors, industrial-organizational). Previous academic administrative experience is preferred. Over the next several years, the new chair will build the department both through recruitment and ties to other units on campus and off-campus (e.g., Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Texas Health Science Center).

 

Open until filled; applications sent by December 1, 2013, will assure full consideration.

 

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae to Lyn Ragsdale, Dean of Social Sciences, Rice University, 6100 Main St. MS-27, Houston TX, 77005-1827.

 

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and strongly encourages applications from minorities and women.

 

Tenure Track position at the University of Colorado at Boulder

The Institute of Cognitive Science at the University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position in computational approaches to cognitive and/or affective neuroscience at the assistant or associate professor level with a starting date of Spring 2014 or Fall 2014. The Institute is a multidisciplinary unit with representation from the departments of Psychology & Neuroscience, Computer Science, Education, Philosophy, Linguistics, Architecture & Planning, and Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences. 

 

We seek applicants with a strong research program in human computational neuroscience and neuroimaging that interfaces with one or more of the main research themes of the Institute:  Higher Level Cognition; Language Processing; Training and Education (see  ics.colorado.edu).  The following attributes will be prioritized, and the strongest applicants will show all three: 1) research incorporating human neuroimaging, 2) the use of state-of-the-art computational approaches to address issues in cognitive science, 3) a strong capacity for and commitment to interdisciplinary research. The ideal candidate will be able to teach courses both in his or her speciality as well as courses in Cognitive Science more generally.  Successful applicants will join the faculty of both the Institute for Cognitive Science and the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and are expected to be able to fulfill teaching and research requirements for tenure in Psychology and Neuroscience.

 

Responsibilities include research, research supervision, service, and graduate and undergraduate teaching.

 

For fullest consideration, please apply by September 30, 2013. Applications will continue to be accepted after this date until the position is filled.

 

Applications (consisting of resume/vitae, cover letter, three letters of recommendation, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of research philosophy and minimum of one publication) are not complete until all letters of recommendation are attached to the posting.


To apply, please see Jobs@CU Posting #F00710

Quick Link: https://www.jobsatcu.com/postings/71460 


Email inquiries may be sent to 

 

Assistant Professor Position--University of California, Irvine

The Department of Cognitive Sciences (www.cogsci.uci.edu) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is seeking applicants for a tenure-track assistant professor faculty position, Assistant Professor in Language. We seek candidates who combine a strong background in theoretical linguistics (including phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics) with the empirical, developmental, or computational study of language (e.g., psycholinguistic, computational and mathematical modeling, or neurolinguistic approaches).

 

The successful candidate will interact with a dynamic and growing community in cognitive, computational, neural, and developmental sciences within the Department, the Center for Language Science, and the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience. Individuals whose interests mesh with those of the current faculty and who will contribute to the university's active role in interdisciplinary research and teaching initiatives will be given preference.

 

Interested candidates should apply online at: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF01972 with a cover letter indicating primary research and teaching interests, CV, three recent publications, and three letters of recommendation.

 

Application review will commence on November 1, 2013, and continue until the position is filled.

 

The University of California has an active career partners program, is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to excellence through diversity, and has an Advance (NSF) program for gender equity.

 

Open-Rank Position in Higher-Level Language Processes--Department of Psychology and Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) at the University of Pittsburgh 

The Department of Psychology and the Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) at the University of Pittsburgh seek to fill an open-rank position in higher-level language processes, pending budgetary approval. Applicants are expected to currently hold appointments as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor, although applications from post-doctoral non-faculty researchers are welcome.

 

The Psychology Department ( http://www.psychology.pitt.edu) is committed to excellence in research and in teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. The Department has 36 tenure-stream faculty and houses five graduate training programs: Biological and Health, Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, and Social, as well as cross-program training opportunities. The interdisciplinary nature of psychological science is reflected in both faculty research interests and training opportunities afforded to graduate students.

 

LRDC (http://www.lrdc.pitt.edu/) is an interdisciplinary research center that brings together researchers from several disciplines (e.g., Psychology, Education, Computer Science) whose work on human cognition and learning, effective schooling and training, and educational policy includes laboratory (behavioral, ERP, eye-tracking, MEG, and fMRI) and classroom settings. LRDC is committed to both basic and applied research that connects to the cognitive, motivational, and social bases of learning, and to the use of research in improving education practice and policy.

 

The successful candidate will demonstrate a rigorous research program in language and/or reading, broadly construed. This research program should complement LRDC's current research programs in basic and comparative (cross-language) reading processes, vocabulary learning, sentence comprehension, second language learning, language-based reasoning, and language in learning technology (http://www.lrdc.pitt.edu/readlab).

 

The specific research area is open and might include reading/higher-level language, the role of language/reading processes in reasoning, problem-solving or argumentation. Research that includes a computational approach to language/reading, a strong quantitative emphasis, or a focus on minority language learners is especially welcome. Specific teaching areas are flexible, but a commitment to effective teaching is required.

 

Applicants should apply electronically by sending a cover letter, CV, statement of research and teaching interests, and up to three papers to cogjob@pitt.edu. In addition, three letters of recommendation should be sent to this email address with the applicant's last name and the word "recommendation" in the subject line.

 

Review of applications will begin immediately, with applications completed by October 15, 2013 receiving full consideration.

 

Inquiries regarding the position can be addressed to the co-chairs of the search committee, Natasha Tokowicz (tokowicz@pitt.edu) and Tessa Warren (tessa@pitt.edu). Please include the word "search" in the subject line.

 

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity.

 

PostdoctoralPositions

Postdoctoral Positions

 

Post doctoral position open at the Brain and Language Research Institute (Aix-Marseille University)

Post-doctoral position available for a one year position, starting as early as October 2013 and latest by  

December 2013, to work in collaboration with an interdisciplinary group at the Brain and Language Research Institute (BLRI) in Marseille, France, and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, on the cortical representation and acquisition of Chinese by readers of an alphabetic language (French). The project will be conducted using fMRI as the main tool of investigation. The aim of the project is to determine the impact of the type of training on the learning and cortical representation of Chinese, by native French speakers. The project will be run in Marseille, France.

 

Project Summary. The languages of the world vary substantially across all levels of processing, from their phonetic inventory to syntactic structures. The mapping from spoken to written language is a typical example of this cross-linguistic variation. The main objective of the project is to determine whether and if so how writing training may affect character processing and reading (Longcamp et al., 2003, 2006, 2010), and whether such varies cross-linguistically (Cao et al., 2012, in press; Nakamura et al., 2012). In particular, for those coming from an alphabetic language, the importance of writing may be crucial when acquiring a logographic language such as Chinese (Cao et al., 2012, Guan et al., 2011; Tan et al., 2005; but see Bi et al., 2008). The project will moreover provide empirical evidence as concerns the role of the native language in second language acquisition (Frenck-Mestre et al., 2005, 2008; Foucart & Frenck-Mestre, 2011, 2012).

 

Profile of the desired applicant

  • PhD in Psychology or Neuroscience
  • Must be well versed in fMRI
  • Good knowledge of Matlab is indispensable 
  • Interest in the brain correlates of language, and especially reading, although not mandatory are a plus.
  • Knowledge of Mandarin, though not necessary, is an advantage. Knowledge of French
  • The BLRI is an affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Candidates should send a CV, letter of interest and 2 recommendation letters to the two project Principal Investigators: Marieke Longcamp (marieke.longcamp@univ-amu.fr) and Cheryl Frenck-Mestre (cheryl.frenck-mestre@univ-amu.fr).

 

Doctoral or Postdoctoral Position

The Boliek Lab (http://www.rehabresearch.ualberta.ca/carolboliek/home) and Cummine Lab (http://www.rehabresearch.ualberta.ca/cummine-lab/home) at the University of Alberta invite applications for an NSERC funded position in the area of cognitive neuroscience, language and speech physiology.

 

Drs. Boliek and Cummine have joint interests in advancing our understanding of neural control of cognitive and language processes (e.g., reading) and speech motor control (e.g., voice and articulation) in typically developing children and adults as well as children and adults with cognitive, language or motor speech disorders. Our laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art data acquisition systems, analysis software, and full access to the Peter S. Allen MR Research Centre. Drs. Boliek and Cummine have each been awarded discovery grants from the National Science and Engineering Research Centre (NSERC) that when combined can support a PhD student or Postdoctoral Fellow. By combining research methodology, common overarching research questions, and two active research laboratories, we can provide a rich and multidimensional advanced graduate or post-graduate training program.

 

The candidate will be expected to oversee neuroimaging and physiological experiments, analyze behavioural, physiological and fMRI data, prepare manuscripts for publications and participate in conferences.The successful applicant should have a master's or doctoral degree in a field related to speech pathology, cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience, psychology, developmental psychology, or medicine. Individuals with a background in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering or computer science also will be considered. The successful applicant must possess excellent English verbal and written communication skills. Applicants are expected to have a strong research background in the design and statistical analysis of functional brain-imaging experiments and/or speech physiology experiments. Programming skills (MATLAB, C++; Python) and experience with one of the fMRI analyses programs (SPM, FSL, Freesurfer) are desirable. Approximate start date is Late Fall 2013/Early Winter 2014.For consideration please send a statement of interest, a CV and a list of three potential referees via email to Jacqueline Cummine, PhD (jacqueline.cummine@ualberta.ca) and Carol Boliek, PhD (carol.boliek@ualberta.ca). The search will continue until the position is filled.

 

Postdoctoral Position at the University of Calgary

Dr. Penny Pexman and Dr. Andrea Protzner are accepting applications for a postdoctoral fellowship position in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. The post-doctoral fellow will have the opportunity to collaborate on a joint program using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) to study learning-related changes in the neural dynamics (activity, connectivity, and brain signal variability) of language processing. Applicants must recently have obtained, or expect to have, a Ph.D. in psychology or a related field, and can be either Canadian or foreign citizens. Experience with neuroimaging and language research is preferred. The stipend for this postdoctoral fellowship will be $50 000. Funding for this position is in place, through NSERC grants held by the supervisors. The initial term is for one year, and is renewable for a second year. Starting date is negotiable but the position could be taken up as early as January 1, 2014.

 

Please submit a CV, cover letter with statement of research experience and interests, and names and contact information of 3 referees, to Dr. Penny Pexman (pexman@ucalgary.ca) or Dr. Andrea Protzner (protzner@ucalgary.ca). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

 

Research Associate Postdoc Position in Speech Processing at UCL

Speech, Hearing and Phonetic Sciences

University College London -Department of Psychology and Language Sciences

Full Time: The appointment will be on UCL Grade 7.

The salary range will be £32,375 - £39,132 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

 

Applications are invited for a Research Associate under the supervision of Dr Patti Adank at UCL Department of Speech, Hearing, and Phonetic Sciences. The post holder will be responsible for running Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) studies, including recording of Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) and behavioural studies of speech processing. The post is funded by the Leverhulme Trust for three years.

 

The post requires a highly motivated individual who must have a PhD in Phonetics, Psychology or Cognitive Neuroscience or a related field and considerable experience of working with speech / acoustic stimuli. Experience with TMS / collecting of MEPs and a track record of academic publications are essential.

 

Details on how to apply can be found here: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AHF770/research-associate-in-speech-processing/  


To discuss the further particulars, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to write to Dr Adank at p.adank@ucl.ac.uk 

 

Postdoctoral Fellowship--Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University

The JHU Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory is looking for a postdoctoral fellow to play a leading role in  behavioral and functional neuroimaging studies concerning a newly-discovered form of reading impairment in which visual perception is normal, except that letters and/or digits appear so blurred or distorted that they cannot be identified.  The research will focus on identifying the cognitive and neural underpinnings of the reading impairment; exploring the implications of the deficit for understanding normal reading, visual perception, and visual awareness; and developing effective rehabilitation methods. The fellow will work under the supervision of Dr. Michael McCloskey.  Starting date is flexible within the period July 2013 through January 2014. Funding is available for two years, contingent upon satisfactory performance.

 

Candidates are expected to have substantial experience with fMRI methods in cognitive neuroscience of vision and/or reading.  Knowledge of multivariate analysis methods is a plus, as is knowledge about reading processes and reading deficits, experience with behavioral research involving cognitively impaired individuals, and experience with design of ERP experiments.  

 

To apply, please send a CV, a statement of research interests and experience, 3 letters of recommendation, and up to 3 article reprints/preprints to michael.mccloskey@jhu.edu.  Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. 

 

The Johns Hopkins University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer, and actively encourages applications from minorities and women.

 

NLC2012SNL 2013

San Diego, California, USA 

November 6 - 8, 2013

San Diego by Night

 

Society for the Neurobiology of Language

Back to Top