The TESIS node Parma - represented by the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Parma, Prof. Vittorio Gallese, vittorio.gallese@unipr.it - will focus on questions related to the development of self-conscious emotions, to disorders involving social cognition in early psychosis, to the role of the goal encoding in the emergence of we-centric space. The Parma node has three positions available, two for early stage researchers (36 months duration) and one postdoctoral position for an experienced researcher (22 months duration). For all positions prolongations are possible. Early stage researcher candidates are in possession of a relevant Masters degree (or close to obtaining it) with not more than 4 years of full time research experience. Experienced researcher candidates have 3 to at most 5 years (PhD, including the period of doctoral studies) or 4 to at most 5 years (no PhD) of full time research experience.

One of the Early Stage Researcher is expected to work on a project exploring the development of intersubjectivity and self-conscious emotions from a neurobiological perspective in relationship with interpersonal factors during toddlerhood. This project will be accomplished at the Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB, Chieti, Italy) in collaboration with the University of Parma. A strong emphasis will be on the application of innovative approaches for the investigation of interactive social situations, allowing ecological experimental contexts that resemble real-life situations. The research methods used in the project will include behavioral studies combined with functional imaging of neural and autonomic activity by means of high sensitivity thermal infrared imaging, high density electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography.

The other Early Stage Researcher is expected to work on a project exploring the intersubjective factors affecting psychopathologies, focusing on a group of patients with early psychosis. Questions to be considered are: How is the interpersonal dimension related to the self in psychopathological conditions? Do functional abnormalities of intersubjectivity in schizophrenia specifically concern the intersubjective domain (e.g. vicarious processes) or primarily have their roots in self-disturbances (e.g. coherent and unique sense of self, multisensory integration and differentiation between self and others' bodily experiences)? Which is the role of the mirror mechanism in the integration of motor and emotional information in healthy controls and first episode psychosis? The research method used in the project will be Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

The Experienced Researcher working in Parma is expected to be involved in the investigation of critical factors for the emergence of we-centric space in social interaction. Questions to be considered are: how the emotion expressed by the observed agent facilitates the correct prediction of her motor intention? How the emotional state of the observer (experimental subject) affects the perception of the intentions behind an actor's actions? What is the role of the motor intentionality in the emergence of we-centric space in social interaction? The research method used in the project will be high-density EEG (128 channels). Experience in biological signal analysis, with focus on EEG is requested. Source localization analysis experience and programming skills (Matlab) are welcome.

The Department of Neuroscience in Parma has an international reputation for research in neuroscience, including neuroanatomy, cognitive neurophysiology, brain imaging and developmental psychology. The center has for years been working on various projects pertaining to the role of the role of the cortical motor system in fundamental cognitive processes (action recognition, imitation).The employed fellows will participate actively in an initial training network with expertise in the investigation of intersubjectivity and embodiment. This international network is funded by the European Commission FP7 and provides ideal research and training opportunities during a three year training programme consisting of high impact workshops, summer schools and conferences.

If you are interested in one of these positions, please send your application - preferably by email - including CV and two references (name, email, phone) before the closing date to the responsible coordinating node:

Heribert Sattel, heribert.sattel@med.uni-heidelberg.de, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Vossstr. 2-4, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
Note: To encourage mobility, successful candidates may have spent at most 12 out of the last 36 months in the host country before appointment. Qualified women are especially encouraged to apply.

Closing date: May 31, 2011