Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

Postdoctoral position Sensory Processing and Computation Research Unit

Italy

Commitment & contract: 2-year

Location: CHT Erzelli

Step into a world of endless possibilities, together let’s leave something for the future!

At IIT, we are committed to advancing human-centered Science and Technology to address the most urgent societal challenges of our era. We foster excellence in both fundamental and applied research, spanning fields such as neuroscience and cognition, humanoid technologies and robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and material sciences, offering a truly interdisciplinary scientific experience. Our approach integrates cutting-edge tools and technology, empowering researchers to push the limits of knowledge and innovation. With us, your curiosity will know no bounds.

We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering diversity in all its forms, creating an inclusive environment. We value the unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives of our people. By embracing diversity, we believe science can achieve its fullest potential.

THE ROLE

You will be working in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary group, where junior and senior scientists collaborate, each with their expertise, to carry out a scientific activity with a shared research goal.

The Sensory Processing and Computation Research Unit is coordinated by Peter Neri. The research focuses on understanding how sensory signals are processed by neural devices (e.g. human, insect, or fish brain) to control and drive behavior. This includes thorough and extensive empirical characterizations of the specific process under investigation, which are then used to constrain fully specified computational models that are assessed using mathematics or computer simulations. For this position, the focus will be on understanding how global representations of the world, such as the overall gist of the visual/auditory scene in front of us, can impact early detection of elementary image/sound features.

Within the research team, your main responsibilities will be:

  • Design and perform VR/AR experiments to characterize human visual/auditory perceptual processes
  • Develop computational models to account for the empirical results

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • A PhD in a quantitative discipline, including computer science, engineering, robotics, computational neuroscience, and similar disciplines
  • Documented experience in designing/creating/manipulating virtual environments, writing computer programs using different languages (e.g. python, C#, javascript) and platforms (e.g. Pytorch, Unity3D)
  • Strong publication record
  • Good command of spoken and written English

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

  • Experience in performing quantitative behavioral measurements, implementing ML algorithms, designing/constructing computational models of perceptual processes
  • Knowledge of scripted (C#) development in Unity3D 
  • Ability to work in a challenging and international environment
  • Capacity to work autonomously and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment
  • Possess Analytical Reasoning skills and a growth mindset

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

  • A yearly gross salary ranging between 30K and 55K
  • Private health care coverage depending on your role and contract
  • Candidates from abroad or Italian citizens who have carried scientific research activity permanently abroad and meet specific requirements, may be entitled to a deduction from taxable income of up to 90% from 6 to 13 years.

Please submit your application using the online form and including a detailed CV, cover letter, and contact details of 2 references.

Application’s deadline: July 31st 2025 

 

To discover more about life at IIT, visit the dedicated section here: https://www.iit.it/en/work-at-iit

 

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