Interested in pursuing a PhD in the area of action observation/prediction and motor imagery? Come work with us!
Dr. Nicola Hodges (Motor Skills Laboratory, UBC-Vancouver) and Dr. Sarah Kraeutner (Neuroplasticity, Imagery, and Motor Behaviour Laboratory, UBC-Okanagan) invite applications for funded PhD positions to address shared research questions in the area of action observation/prediction and motor imagery. The students will be co-supervised by Drs. Kraeutner and Hodges and may be located at either of the UBC campuses (Vancouver or Kelowna BC).
Projects may involve the use of neuro/bio-physiological techniques (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, electromyography, magnetic resonance imaging). Projects will provide opportunities to hone fundamental and applied skillsets related to experimental research related to covert action modalities. We are looking for individuals with a strong quantitative/analysis background, interest and/or ability to program in languages such as R and python or Matlab, background knowledge in motor behavior/cognitive psychology/sensori-motor mechanisms of motor control.
Dr. Nicola Hodges leads the Motor Skills Laboratory (MSL; msl.kin.educ.ubc.ca/) in the School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus. Research in the MSL is focused on motor skill acquisition very generally; including observational learning, action prediction and anticipation, challenge point framework and practice quality/learning processes, sport expertise and skill development.
Dr. Sarah Kraeutner leads the Neuroplasticity, Imagery, and Motor Behaviour Laboratory (NIMBL; thenimbl.com) in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus. Research in the NIMBL is dedicated to to improving motor learning and relearning through covert practice (motor imagery, action observation), using a multi-modal approach.
Potential candidates will have a background in Kinesiology, Psychology, Rehabilitation, Biomedical Engineering, or Neuroscience. Experience conducting research with human participants is required, with evidence of knowledge mobilization activities (including publications and scholarly presentations). Experience with behavioural investigations in the field of action observation and/or motor imagery, strong analytical skills and programming languages (Python, R, MATLAB) are considered assets. Potential candidates will have the opportunity of undertaking their doctoral studies through Kinesiology (UBC-V), Psychology or Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (UBC-O), with formal program application deadlines beginning Dec 1. The actual location will depend on various considerations.
The successful applicants will work within an interdisciplinary environment, with opportunity to be based in Vancouver or Kelowna, British Columbia (TBD). Applicants will be exposed to a range of research techniques with additional opportunity to be involved in other ongoing work across the labs and outreach initiatives, and mentor junior students. Additional support is provided for knowledge dissemination activities (i.e., presenting work at conferences).
To apply, please send a) a cover letter; b) CV; c) an example of scholarly writing (e.g., a preprint or reprint of a publication, literature review) to sarah.kraeutner@ubc.ca and nicola.hodges@ubc.ca. The cover letter (~1pg) should outline your past experiences, short and long term goals, and why you are interested in working in our labs. If you are a domestic student, we will assist with scholarship applications (note deadlines are typically mid Sep., in the year before starting a PhD). Please get in touch about dept. deadlines and/or see websites UBC-Vancouver (https://kin.educ.ubc.ca/graduate-programs/prospective-graduate/how-to-apply/) and UBC-Okanagan (https://gradstudies.ok.ubc.ca/applying/).
thenimbl.com 