Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language
1 week ago
PhD position in 3DTechSign: Technologies for Sign Language Research Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language in Spain
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Available
Deadline
Nov 8, 2026
Country
Spain
University
Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language
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About this position
The Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL) is offering a full-time PhD position in the 3DTechSign project within the Sign Language Research Group. The project focuses on applying advanced technologies to sign language data and developing tools that support research into the neurocognition of sign language.
The doctoral researcher will work on comparing existing pose estimation tools and evaluating how well they perform on sign language data, including the creation of a benchmark motion capture dataset. The validated tools will then be adapted to the specific needs of sign language research. The PhD will also contribute to related topics such as categorical perception in sign language, (semi-)automatic transcription of individual signs and continuous signing, and the creation of synthetic sign stimuli that manipulate temporal and spatial information in the signal.
The student will enroll in the Cognitive Neuroscience program at the University of the Basque Country (EHU) and will work under the direct supervision of Dr Costello. Training at BCBL includes programming, neuroimaging techniques, scientific communication, sign language data collection and management, data analysis and visualization, computer vision tools, machine learning methods, and sign language proficiency. The position also includes a summer school and/or courses in machine learning, a research stay of at least three months with international collaborators, participation in research meetings, conference presentations, and preparation of peer-reviewed publications.
Eligibility highlights: applicants need a master’s-level background and at least 300 ECTS credits in total, including 60 ECTS at master’s level. Strong candidates will have academic training in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, computational linguistics, biomedical engineering, data science, or a related area, together with programming ability (preferably Python), sign language experience, and familiarity with 3D technologies such as pose estimation and motion capture. English proficiency is required, and experience with open science, reproducible research, and work within a deaf signing community is highly valued.
Funding: the post offers a gross annual salary of 21,000€.
Application window: applications close on 2026-11-08. The anticipated start date is flexible between 2027-01-01 and 2027-04-30.
Institution: Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
Funding details
Available
What's required
Applicants must be eligible for admission to a PhD programme, including completion of at least 300 ECTS credits in official university studies with at least 60 ECTS credits at master's level. Preferred background includes cognitive neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, computational linguistics, biomedical engineering, data science, or a related field. Required or preferred experience includes sign language data acquisition, preprocessing or analysis; programming skills, preferably in Python; familiarity with statistical or computational data analysis; knowledge of Spanish Sign Language or another sign language; experience working with a deaf signing community; experience with 3D technologies such as pose estimation (e.g. MediaPipe, OpenPose) and motion capture; familiarity with reproducible research practices and Open Science; ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team while developing scientific independence; strong written and spoken English; and experience gained through non-formal training, international mobility, or professional mobility demonstrating communication and adaptability in an international research environment.
How to apply
Apply through the calls.bcbl.eu website and submit a CV, a statement of research interests and motivation, transcripts for master’s and bachelor’s degrees, and two letters of recommendation. Ensure referees submit their letters before the deadline.
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