项目介绍

2026年3月16日

This project is supervised by the experimental neurosurgery research group, in close collaboration with the Leuven Brain Institute. The PhD student is involved in research on brain functions, using both invasive (intracranial recording and stimulation via electrodes) and non-invasive techniques (fMRI). This project is being carried out in close collaboration with various clinicians (neurologists, nurses, neurosurgeons, radiologists) and researchers (engineers, neuroscientists, technicians).
Recent articles on this research:

• Vanhoyland M, Janssen P, Theys T. Single-neuron correlates of visual consciousness in human lateral occipital complex. Nat Commun. 2025 Dec 15;16(1):11008. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-67077-w. PMID: 41397973; PMCID: PMC12705761.
• Bougou V, Vanhoyland M, Bertrand A, Van Paesschen W, Op De Beeck H, Janssen P, Theys T. Neuronal tuning and population representations of shape and category in human visual cortex. Nat Commun. 2024 May 30;15(1):4608. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-49078-3. PMID: 38816391; PMCID: PMC11139926.

Project

How concepts are represented in the human brain is fascinating, but remains a mystery. Our knowledge of the human brain is limited by the inherent limitations of the research techniques we can apply. General non-invasive measurements of brain activity, including electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), provide us with only rough information about neural activity due to limited spatiotemporal resolution, while non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation do not offer sufficient spatial resolution to systematically modulate activity in specific subsets of neurons. The functional organisation of the human brain therefore remains very difficult to investigate, and in order to resolve certain important questions within cognitive neuroscience, submillimetre-scale investigation with millisecond precision is required. We propose a groundbreaking approach to unravel brain areas by using micro-recordings in neurosurgical patients. The implanted electrodes will also be used for electrical microstimulation during certain tasks in order to determine the causal role of specific functional zones.

Profile

• Master’s degree in medicine, (bio)engineering, biomedical sciences, or a similar degree with an equivalent academic level
• Fluent in oral and written English
• Dutch speaking (preferably)
• A profound interest in neuroscience research
• A background in neuroscience and/or expertise in Matlab programming and/or MR imaging is an advantage

Offer

• A position as a full-time (100%) PhD-student (for a total duration of 4 years, provided a positive evaluation after the first year)
• A dynamic research environment including advanced equipment in a clinical setting
• A multidisciplinary team in a large, multidisciplinary research center dedicated to an exciting project
• Salary scales are set according to university regulations

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Tom Theys, mail: tom.theys@kuleuven.be or Mrs. Anaïs Van Hoylandt, mail: anais.vanhoylandt@uzleuven.be.You can apply for this job no later than June 15, 2026 via the online application tool

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.