Job Opportunities API

Postdoctoral Researcher in Neural Interfaces for Hearing Restoration Job Details | Universiteit Gent JOBS JOBS JOBS Postdoctoral Researcher in Neural Interfaces for Hearing Restoration Job ID: 30166 → Apply before 31/07/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time) → Faculty of Engineering and Architecture → Department: EA05 - Informatietechnologie → Occupancy rate:100% → Number of positions: 1 → Type of employment: Contract of unlimited duration with clause → Term of assignment: 2 jaar → Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree) → Required diploma:PhD ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programs grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students. YOUR TASKS At least 70% of your appointment will consist of academic research. The successful candidate will lead the auditory neuroscience and in vivo research activities of the ERC Starting Grant aTONE. The research will focus on the development and evaluation of next-generation neural interfaces for hearing restoration using flexible bioelectronics, optogenetics and advanced cochlear neurotechnology. Responsibilities include: • Developing and optimizing rodent models for hearing research and hearing loss. • Performing advanced microsurgical procedures involving the auditory system, including cochlear implantation and auditory pathway interventions. • Designing and conducting electrophysiological experiments, including auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), intracochlear recordings, cortical recordings, and chronic neural recordings. • Developing and implementing optogenetic stimulation paradigms of the auditory pathway. • Performing viral vector (AAV) delivery and gene transfer strategies for optogenetic and hearing restoration studies. • Evaluating novel flexible bioelectronic neural interfaces developed within the project. • Performing histological, immunohistochemical and microscopy analyses. • Analyzing experimental data and publishing results in leading international journals. • Co-supervising PhD and Master’s students. • Contributing to national and international research proposals and collaborations. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR • You hold a thesis-based doctorate (obtained max. 6 years ago. This term of 6 years is determined by the date written on the below-mentioned required diploma). Applicants should hold a PhD in one of the following fields (or closely related disciplines): • Neuroscience • Auditory Neuroscience • Neurobiology • Biomedical Engineering • Neurotology • Otology • Hearing Science • Biomedical Sciences Applicants should have demonstrated expertise in several of the following areas: Essential • Extensive experience with in vivo research • Stereotaxic surgery • Electrophysiology • Scientific writing and publication record • Ability to work independently and lead experimental studies • Excellent written and spoken English Strongly preferred • Auditory neuroscience • Cochlear physiology • Cochlear implant research • Auditory brainstem recordings • Auditory cortex physiology • Hearing restoration research • Neuroprosthetics Highly desirable • Optogenetics • Viral vector delivery (AAV) • Gene therapy for hearing loss • Inner ear surgery • Spiral ganglion physiology • Histology and immunohistochemistry • Confocal microscopy • Signal processing of electrophysiological recordings • MATLAB and/or Python • Experience working in multidisciplinary engineering environments The ideal candidate is an independent and highly motivated scientist who enjoys working at the interface between neuroscience, engineering, and translational medicine. WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU • We offer you a contract of indefinite duration with a maximum term of 2 years • The position is initially offered for 2 years term with the possibility of extension assuming satisfactory performance. • Your contract will start on 1/09/2026 at the earliest. • Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1. Click here for more information about our salary scales . • All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits . INTERESTED? Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system. Your application must include the following documents: • In the field ‘CV’ : your CV and a transcript of your academic record (merged into one pdf file) • In the field ‘Cover letter’ : your application letter in pdf format. • In the field ‘Diploma’ : a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages. • In the field “other documents” : The name and contact details of two persons who are willing to give a reference. Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB. As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position. MORE INFORMATION About the Neural Waves Group The successful candidate will join the Neural Waves Laboratory, led by Prof. Georgios Spyropoulos, within the Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at Ghent University. The laboratory develops next-generation bioelectronic technologies at the interface of neuroscience, materials science, and biomedical engineering, with applications in hearing restoration, neural interfaces, neuroprosthetics, epilepsy, and closed-loop neuromodulation. The successful candidate will become part of a highly interdisciplinary and international research environment, working closely with engineers, neuroscientists, clinicians, and materials scientists to develop innovative neurotechnologies that bridge fundamental neuroscience and clinical translation. Project Background The position is funded through the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant aTONE (AudiTOry Neuro-Electronics). The ERC project aims to develop a new generation of soft electro-optical neural interfaces capable of recording, processing, and modulating neural activity using hybrid electrical and optical approaches. By combining flexible bioelectronics, optogenetics, and advanced cochlear neurotechnology, the project seeks to establish new strategies for hearing restoration and to advance our understanding of auditory neural circuits. The successful candidate will play a central role in developing the in vivo auditory neuroscience and translational aspects of the project. For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Spyropoulos ([email protected], mention “ Postdoc: aTONE ” in the subject line). Important: please do NOT send your application by email, applications must be submitted through the online recruitment system. Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via [email protected]. Opens in a new tab. Opens in a new tab. Opens in a new tab. Opens in a new tab. Opens in a new tab. © UGent | Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25 | 9000 Ghent | Belgium × When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Required Cookies These cookies are required to use this website and can't be turned off. Required Cookies Show More Details Required Cookies Provider Description Enabled SAP as service provider We use the following session cookies, which are all required to enable the website to function: • "route" is used for session stickiness • "careerSiteCompanyId" is used to send the request to the correct data centre • "JSESSIONID" is placed on the visitor's device during the session so the server can identify the visitor • "Load balancer cookie" (actual cookie name may vary) prevents a visitor from bouncing from one instance to another Functional Cookies These cookies provide a better customer experience on this site, such as by remembering your login details, optimising video performance or providing us with information about how our site is used. You may freely choose to accept or decline these cookies at any time. Note that certain functionalities that these third-parties make available may be impacted if you do not accept these cookies. Consent to all Functional Cookies Show More Details Functional Cookies Provider Description Enabled YouTube YouTube is a video-sharing service where users can create their own profile, upload videos, watch, like and comment on videos. Opting out of YouTube cookies will disable your ability to watch or interact with YouTube videos.