Postdoctoral Researcher in Assessing the Realism of Virtual 3D Environments for Learning – SimFi-Ed (W/M) Le Mans Université in France

Postdoctoral Researcher in Assessing the Realism of Virtual 3D Environments for Learning – SimFi-Ed (W/M) at Le Mans Université, within the LIUM – Laboratoire d'informatique de l'Université du Mans (EA403) in France.

This two-year postdoctoral position is part of the ANR-funded SimFi-Ed project, which investigates distraction in virtual reality and the neural correlates of attention. The project focuses on how simulation fidelity in virtual environments influences attention, gaze, and distractibility, with an emphasis on EEG characterisation, ERP analysis, and the development of a distractibility index from gaze and neural signals.

The postdoc will contribute to two main phases: first, designing and running an EEG study in VR with 50 participants to examine how visual defects such as object-placement incongruities and lighting inconsistencies affect attention; second, conducting a follow-up study with 40 participants combining mobile EEG and eye tracking in realistic VR environments. The research also involves fixation- and saccade-locked ERP analyses, representational similarity analysis, and machine-learning approaches linking gaze patterns to ERP-coded signals.

The role is embedded in a multidisciplinary team spanning computer science, learning analytics, vision science, and cognitive neuroscience, and includes collaboration with a PhD student in computer science. Expected outputs include journal articles, conference papers, and a final report summarising the project findings.

Funding: The contract runs from 4 January 2027 to 3 January 2029, with a gross monthly salary between €3,300 and €3,390 depending on experience. The project also provides support for participant compensation, open-access publication, and attendance at international conferences.

Eligibility highlights: Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent. Strong hands-on EEG expertise is required, including protocol design, acquisition, preprocessing, and ERP analysis. Experience with mobile EEG, EEG in virtual reality, statistical analysis, experimental design, machine learning for neural signals, eye tracking, and/or Unity is advantageous. Fluent English, autonomy, rigour, and an interest in interdisciplinary research are expected.

Application deadline: 1 November 2026, 23:59 Europe/Paris. Submit a detailed CV, cover letter, doctoral degree, and letters of recommendation or references. If documents are not in French, translations must be attached. Applications should be sent to Erwan David by email or via the application link.