Work with a NeurotechEU partner: PhD Position in Neuroguided TMS for Auditory-Verbal Hallucinations in Schizophrenia
Brief summary of the PhD project:
Agenda: Submission period (May & June 2026) + Interview period (July 2026). Final decision of position filled: End of July 2026.
The PhD proposal will take place in the context of a randomized controlled crossover trial built on our expertise in neuroguided neuromodulation of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations (AVHs) in schizophrenia patients (SCZ). More precisely, it will implement the first level of adaptive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) delivery. After a training session, 12 weekly sessions will be scheduled per patient, over 3 months, in an ABA design (A: active stimulation, B: sham stimulation), allowing for a 2-week washout period between two active sessions in order to prevent a carry-over effect. The role of the PhD candidate will be to contribute to the recruitment of the SCZ patients, conduct and monitor the TMS delivery, and validate with quantitative (behavioral and imaging) measures the efficacy of the therapy. To do so, mean change in the AVH severity between randomization and endpoint will constitute the primary outcome measure and will be compared between the two groups. More globally, the PhD candidate will be part of a large scale and highly interdisciplinary project focussed on neurotechnologies, called LOOP within the Brain, Society & Technology Institute of the University of Lille, whose goal is to develop innovative therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. This would imply regular meetings in the various fields of expertise covered by the project (from clinical neuroscience to computer science, law and ethics).
Key facts on the PhD project:
- Faculty sponsor/ PI: Pr. Renaud Jardri & Pr. Philippe Domenech
- Appointment term: 36 months PhD position starting between Sept. and Dec. 2026.
- Funding source: Université de Lille - Initiative d’Excellence R-CDP-25-003-LOOP & Institut Cerveau, Société & Technologies.
- Salary will be determined based on the University guidelines for PhD candidates.
- Location/ Department: Lille Neuroscience & Cognition Center (INSERM U-1172), Psychiatry, Subjectivity & Inference (PSI) team, Lille, France.
Required qualifications to apply:
- To have defended a Master in cognitive science/ neuroscience or having an engineering diploma in computer science or signal processing before starting the PhD. These qualifications must have been obtained from one of the universities of the neurotechEU alliance.
- Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate an interest in analyzing neural activity. Expertise in either TMS or fMRI, or in working with clinical populations is a plus.
- Proficiency in French is an asset for patient recruitment and interactions, but if not yet fluent, candidates are encouraged to commit to taking French classes upon enrollment.
- Women and under-represented minorities in academia are strongly encouraged to apply.
Submission Guidelines:
Please submit application materials to renaud.jardri@univ-lille.fr
To be considered, your application must include:
- an updated CV,
- a proof of enrollment in a neurotechEU alliance university for the current degree, or a copy of the degree if already obtained,
- a cover letter highlighting relevant research experience to the project, interest in the position, and the earliest date you could start,
- two letters of endorsement/support from academic mentor/reference (including their contact information), and specifically written for this position.
Agenda: Submission period (May & June 2026) + Interview period (July 2026). Final decision of position filled: End of July 2026.