Job ID: 122887
Research engineer (video and audio tracking) for neuroethology
Position: Research engineer
Deadline: 3 July 2025
Employment Start Date: 15 September 2025
Contract Length: 12 months up to 36
City: Lyon
Country: France
Institution: Institute of Cognitive Sciences Marc Jeannerod (CNRS)
Department:
Description:
Deadline: July 2025
Employment Start Date: September – October 2025
Contract Length: 12 months (can be extended by 24 months)
City: Lyon
Country: France
Institution: Institute of Cognitive Sciences Marc Jeannerod (CNRS)
Description:
A fully-funded 12-month (with 24 additional months possible) research engineer position is now available in Dr Arthur Lefevre group (https://www.neuroprime.org/) at the Institute of Cognitive Sciences in Lyon, France. This project is funded by an ERC starting grant.
The objective is to study the neural bases of acoustic communication and affiliation in freely moving and spontaneously behaving marmosets (a small primate). Additionally, we will investigate the effects of oxytocin, a neurohormone that modulates social behavior, on communication and affiliation, as well as the underlying neural activity.
To do so, we are using high channel count electrophysiological probes to wirelessly record neurons in marmosets that are vocally interacting with each other in their home cage. Their vocalizations and cardiac activity are recorded with a wearable jacket. We are also employing chemogenetics to activate or inhibit oxytocin neurons. We need to build a video system to automatically track marmosets in their home cage and automatically label their postures.
The successful candidate will join our international research team ‘Neuroprime’ led by Dr Sylvia Wirth, with expertise in electrophysiology in non-human primates and social behavior. The team is composed of several PhD students and 2 research engineers. The Lyon Institute of Cognitive Sciences is part of a rich multinational community in a central strategic location in France for neuroscience. The institute is renowned for conducting comparative research on several primate species (human (neurotypical and patients), chimpanzee, macaques, baboons, marmosets), focusing on social behaviors and other cognitive functions. It has developed cutting edge techniques such as combined PET-fMRI, wireless electrophysiology with high channel count, automated tracking techniques, etc.
MAIN RESPONSABILITIES
The research engineer main task will be to design a strategy, set up the video system (hardware), and create a pipeline that outputs the monkeys’ position, their gaze direction, their posture and activity. This system will have to be precisely synchronize with other data streams (audio, neural, cardiac, etc.).
Additionally, a secondary project will be to analyze 3D audio data and perform automatic labeling of call types and caller identity
Main tasks
1 – Design of neuroethology experiments.
2 – Preprocess raw data (video, audio).
3 – Write a pipeline for automatic labeling
4 – Participate in writing scientific articles reporting on the data.
PROFILE
- Engineering degree in relevant fields
Knowledge
- Basic knowledge video and audio hardware and software
- Neural networks for automatic labeling
Know-how
- Programming (MATLAB, Python)
- Analysis and modelling of neural and behavioral data
- Statistical analysis
- Fluency in English
Soft skills
- Ability to conduct a collaborative project
- Autonomy
- Ability to work with multidisciplinary and international team members
- Excellent communication and writing skills
Starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Although the nominal duration of the contract is 12 months, it is expected that this initial contract may be extended up to a total of 3 years.
We guarantee an inclusive and respectful working environment for all diversities.
All our positions are open to individuals with disabilities.
Please send your CV, a cover letter, and contact information for 2 references to Arthur.lefevre@isc.cnrs.fr