PhD position in computational neuroscience: Deep reinforcement learning closed-loop control for the treatment of epilepsy

As part of the highly prestigious ERC Starting Grant URENIMOD (Ultrasound for Remote Neuroimaging and Modulation), a Ph.D. position is available at Ghent University from September 2025. The project aims to develop a minimally to non-invasive treatment for focal epilepsy with ultrasound neurorecording, modulation, and deep reinforcement learning (DRL) closed-loop control. The technology will be developed through detailed computer simulations and preclinical experiments. The PhD candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team working towards this objective at the WAVES (www.waves.intec.ugent.be) and 4Brain (www.4brain.be) research groups.

Profile
We are looking for enthusiastic candidates to perform research on DRL-based closed-loop control for the treatment of focal epilepsy. The controller will be designed with a morphologically detailed computational model of the ultrasound-sensitive hippocampal formation as environment. The candidate will develop surrogate models of the hippocampus to allow for more extensive optimization of the controller. Finally, the controller will be tested in the intrahippocampal kainic acid mouse model. The applicant should hold an M. Sc. (or equivalent) degree in biomedical, electrical, or physics engineering, or in a related field. The candidate should have excellent programming skills (e.g., Python), expertise in machine learning and fluency in English (speech and writing). Prior knowledge of neuroscience and/or deep reinforcement learning is an advantage.

What do we offer?

  • We offer a pleasant work climate within a dynamic team.
  • We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
  • Your contract will start on September 1st 2025 at the earliest.
  • All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers, etc.

How to apply

If you are interested in this job offer, you can address your application letter, curriculum vitae, and degree certificates to thomas.tarnaud@ugent.be. The candidate will be informed of the result of their application. For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Thomas Tarnaud (thomas.tarnaud@ugent.be).

Ghent University

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

Waves and 4Brain research groups

The UGent-WAVES research group (http://www.waves.intec.ugent.be/) is the expertise center of the Department of Information Technology of Ghent University – imec in Belgium for the interaction of electromagnetic and ultrasonic waves with the human body. UGent-WAVES has a research track in computational neuroscience, performing numerical simulations to optimize neuromodulation treatments.

The UGent-4Brain group (www.4brain.be) has extensive expertise on neuromodulation in patients with epilepsy. Preclinical research at UGent-4Brain aims at finding more effective neuromodulation therapies with less side effects. Within the 4Brain group, translational neuroscientific research is performed to unravel the pathophysiology of neurological disorders and to develop novel therapies.

Prof. Thomas Tarnaud
Department of Information Technology, WAVES
Department of Head and Skin, 4Brain
Ghent University
iGent, Tech Lane Ghent Science Park 126, Zwijnaarde, B-9052 Ghent, BELGIUM
e-mail: thomas.tarnaud@ugent.be