PhD scholarship in Brain-to-Text Brain-Computer Interface System - DTU Health Tech

Are you interested in exploring and developing a brain-to-text brain-computer interface (BCI) that can translate a person's thoughts into text? If so, this PhD position could be the perfect fit for you. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with experts from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST). Together, you will work on creating a BCI capable of converting imagined speech into text using brain signals recorded from electroencephalograms (EEG).

Responsibilities and qualifications
We are seeking a passionate PhD candidate with a keen interest in brain signals, such as electroencephalogram (EEG), machine learning (ML), and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). As a PhD candidate in our team, you will explore the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of decoding complex EEG data and translating it into comprehensible text. This role requires expertise in advanced signal processing, brain physiology, large language models (LLMs), and other relevant ML techniques.

The successful candidate will join the Digital Health section of the DTU Health Technology department for a three-year period. You will work under the guidance of Prof. Sadasivan Puthusserypady Kumaran, leader of the Biomedical Signal Processing (BSP) research group, and collaborate closely with Associate Professor Sang Wan Lee from KAIST and a KAIST PhD candidate.

Your tasks include:

• Conduct independent research, both with and without data collection.
• Teach and supervise BSc and MSc student projects.
• Co-supervise and collaborate with the KAIST PhD candidate.

It is expected that the PhD candidate is well versed in:

• Programming in Python and Matlab
• Biomedical Signal Processing 
• ML and Statistics
• BCIs

The PhD scholarship is offered in close collaboration with KAIST, as part of a strategic alliance between our institutions. As part of this project, you will be expected to undertake an extended research stay at KAIST.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

Assessment
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted by Prof. Sadasivan Puthusserypady Kumaran.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. The starting date is 1 February 2025, or as mutually agreed. This is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Sadasivan Puthusserypady Kumaran, (sapu@dtu.dk). 

You can read more about the BSP research group here.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 23 December 2024 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Health Tech
With a vision to improve health and quality of life through technology, DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation based on technical and natural science. We educate tomorrow’s health tech engineers and create the foundation for new and innovative services and technologies for the globally expanding healthcare sector with its demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech’s expertise can be described through five overall research areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Digital Health, Personalised Therapy, Precision Diagnostics, and Sensory and Neural Technology. Our technologies and solutions are developed with the aim of benefiting people and creating value for society. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD Students, and a technical/administrative support staff of about 100 persons of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities. 

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.