Predoctoral Researcher

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Director of the Clinical Research Group Brain, Cognition and Behavior at Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (C3-CST)

UIC Barcelona is looking for potential predoctoral candidates to apply for a 2023 FPU grants from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia Innovación y Universidades. The 4-year predoc grant will be associated with the project “Virtual-METS : multimodal immersive virtual reality training for improving cognition in adults with metabolic syndrome”, funded by Fundació La Marato TV3 with Dr. Maite Garolera and Dr. Bruno O. Porras Garcia, as PhD supervisors.

The predoctoral researcher will develop his / her doctoral thesis in the C3-CST Lab and the BrainXR Lab research groups (together with UIC-Barcelona and Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, CST), in different research lines related to the use of new technologies to improve early detection, prevention and interventions of mental health and brain disorders, and under the direction of Dr Maite Garolera and Dr. Porras Garcia.

One of the projects in which the predoctoral researcher will participate is related to the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in older adult populations. There is an urgent need for alternative, non-pharmacological solutions to improve cognitive impairment associated with MetS. Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) technology offers a unique opportunity to improve traditional interventions and accessibility for populations with physical, cognitive, or emotional constraints. The Virtual-METS project aims to evaluate the effects of a multimodal IVR intervention that combines cognitive training and physical exercise on eighty-four adults with MetS, aged between 50 and 70 years, and with subjective cognitive complaints.

In addition, the candidate is expected to be involved in other lines of research and projects of the group in the field of digital mental health and mental health prevention and promotion. Another project the participant will be involved aims to address the urgent need to prevent the onset of mental disorders in children and adolescents through the application of a cognitive training program and gamified virtual reality, designed for improving the regulation of emotions in this population.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the Bibliographic Review and Study Design of the group: Collaborate in the definition of the research methodology and select the appropriate tools and techniques for the study.
• Coordination of ideation sessions, co-design and focus groups of the group's digital solutions: Facilitate workshops where multidisciplinary teams work together in the design and improvement of the proposed digital solutions.
• Data Collection and Analysis for the group's studies: Implement and supervise the collection of data for the studies conducted in the group, and subsequently analyze those data to draw conclusions.
• Contribute significantly to scientific publication and other dissemination activities: Contribute to the writing of articles, reports and presentations based on the findings of the project/s.
• Project Management: Assist in the planning, coordination and monitoring of the different phases of the project, ensuring that the established deadlines and objectives are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in psychology and an official master’s degree in general health psychology, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, digital Health or related areas that provide access to PhD programs. Important: the master studies must have been completed after 1 January 2021.
• Not having a Doctor's degree.
• Proficiency in Spanish and Catalan, and advanced speaking and written English level.
• Have obtained an average grade of at least 8.0 (out of 10) in the undergraduate/master studies (average score of both studies).
• Experience in applied research in emerging technologies and mental health, digital mental health, prevention and promotion of mental health, extended realities, ehealth, etc. will be an asset.
• Experience in data analysis and knowledge of the use of statistical software such as SPSS and/or R Studio will be an asset.
• Interest in collaborating in university teaching functions in the department will be an asset.
• The FPU grant criteria give additional points for winning national or international university awards in competitive calls; additional academic qualifications; foreign experience in university centers with collaborative grants such as MEFP, ERASMUS/SOCRATES; and knowledge of other languages.
• The FPU grant criteria gives additional points for previous active involvement in research projects through contracts or associated grants, excluding honorary or non-contract collaborations; university teaching experience and research activities, including publications, conference participation and contributions to scientific events.

We offer:

• Full-time contract as research personnel in training with a maximum duration of 4 years.
• Gross annual salary stipulated in Royal Decree 103/2019 (current salary revised annually: €19.026 gross/year for the 1st year, AND € 23.772 gross/year for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year).
• Reduction of enrollment costs for the doctoral program.

Required documentation (applications must be submitted in a single pdf):

• Brief cover letter, please state the average score of the bachelor and master degrees.
• An academic certificate stating the average grade obtained by the candidate in the degrees that give access to the doctoral program (bachelor and master degrees).

Send an e-mail with subject (FIRST AND LAST NAME CANDIDATE - 2024 FPU PREDOCTORAL RESEARCH CONTRACTS) - with the attached documentation to and

Please include the word 'VirtualMETS' in the subject line.

Deadline for the call for applications: February 9, 2025

Seniority level

• Internship

Employment type

• Full-time

Industries: Higher Education