Postdoctoral Researcher in Neural Interfaces for Hearing Restoration

Postdoctoral Researcher in Neural Interfaces for Hearing Restoration

Job ID: 30166

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):

• Auditory Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Otology
• Hearing Science
• Biomedical Sciences

Applicants should have demonstrated expertise in several of the following areas:

• 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
• Auditory brainstem recordings
• Auditory cortex physiology
• Hearing restoration research

Highly desirable

• Optogenetics
• Gene therapy for hearing loss
• Inner ear surgery
• 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.
• 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 .

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, w