The Dyslexia Research Collaboration (DYSCO) at KU Leuven is a partnership between the Parenting and Special Education Lab (Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences) and the Experimental ORL Lab (Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine). Parenting and Special Education, led by Pol Ghesquière, is a leading center of expertise in specific learning disabilities in Flanders, with a strong international network. ExpORL, headed by Jan Wouters and Maaike Vandermosten, is renowned for its research in hearing, speech, and language. DYSCO is internationally recognized for its multi-level (cognitive + neural) approach in longitudinal studies, starting from preliterate ages through primary school. By focusing on gamification and digitalization of reading-related assessments and child-friendly neuroimaging protocols, DYSCO has tested hundreds of pre-readers, providing a powerful tool for the proposed project. Each co-promoter brings unique expertise, enabling interdisciplinary research.

Project

Dyslexia, characterized by severe and persistent reading deficits, exhibits significant heterogeneity in underlying neurocognitive impairments. Previous studies have focused on the causes of dyslexia before reading onset, but none have captured the full range of factors in a single individual. We are launching a new longitudinal study (N=120) from pre- to early reading stages, using behavioral, EEG, and functional MRI assessments with auditory-visual and naturalistic paradigms to capture multiple factors underlying reading in each child. Additionally, we will derive data-driven profiles based on structural brain data from 400 preliterate children, mapping these profiles to early neurocognitive deficits, developmental trajectories, and later reading outcomes. Our approach aims to transform the identification and support of reading difficulties with interventions tailored to individual neurocognitive profiles.

We are seeking three PhD students: (1) one focusing on behavioral (visual and auditory processing) in dyslexia, (2) one focusing on EEG (visual, auditory, and naturalistic) in dyslexia, and (3) one focusing on MRI (naturalistic fMRI and structural MRI).

Profile

• Strong interest in dyslexia, developmental cognitive neuroscience, and interdisciplinary work
• Excellent Master's degree in speech and language pathology, educational science, (cognitive) neuroscience, (neuro)psychology, biomedical engineering, experimental psychology, or related fields. Applicants graduating in June or August 2024 are welcome.
• Proficiency in English and Dutch (data collection is in Dutch)
• Good programming skills (or a strong willingness to learn)
• Experience with MRI and EEG techniques and/or dyslexia is an asset
• Inquisitive and creative mindset, excellent problem-solving skills
• Strong commitment and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to work flexibly and independently

Offer

• Full-time PhD position for an initial year, renewable for up to 4 years
• Competitive salary in accordance with university standards
• Membership in two renowned labs as part of a motivated interdisciplinary team (Vandermosten – Ghesquière – Wouters) with an extensive international network
• Membership in the Leuven Brain Institute at KU Leuven, one of Europe's largest research universities
• Opportunity to participate in international conferences and collaborations
• Starting date: October 2024 or as soon as an excellent candidate is available

Interested?

For more information, please contact Prof. dr. Maaike Vandermosten (maaike.vandermosten@kuleuven.be), Prof. dr. Pol Ghesquière (pol.ghesquiere@kuleuven.be), or Prof. dr. Jan Wouters (jan.wouters@kuleuven.be). Applications should be submitted through KU Leuven's electronic application system, including a motivation letter, full CV (with detailed university study results), and contact information for at least two referees. KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality, or impairments.

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