On this page you can find the internship projects currently available.
Apprenticeship at CIMeC
Stefania Benetti
e-mail: stefania.benetti@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: Multisensory processes, Brain development and plasticity
Methodology: MRI (sMRI,fMRI, DTI), MEG, Psychophysics and Behavioural Studies
Project description: Main lines of research:
Group website
General topic: Multisensory processes, Brain development and plasticity
Methodology: MRI (sMRI,fMRI, DTI), MEG, Psychophysics and Behavioural Studies
Project description: Main lines of research:
- Audio-visual speech processing: the role of lip-reading in speech perception/production; developmental trajectories of lip-reading abilities across life-time span; learning to process speech without listening or seeing speech; audio-visual speech processing in deaf individuals with cochlear implant; the relationship between lip- and text-reading
- Combining neurobiological and behavioural indices to predict speech and language outcome after cochlear implant in deaf children and adults
- Speech representation in the brain: how ‘auditory’ is speech phonology? The role of premotor and motor cortex in speech representation and processing in hearing and deaf individuals
- Multimodal processing of face-to-face interactions: a dedicated third lateral processing pathway in the brain? An fmri study of how multisensory communicative signals are integrated in the brain using the Bayesian Causal Inference framework.
Type of internship: Curricular
Open positions: 2
Period: All year
Open positions: 2
Period: All year
Yuri Bozzi
e-mail: yuri.bozzi@unitn.it
General topic: Mouse models of autism spectrum disorders
Methodology: Gene expression, neuroanatomy, pharmacology, behavior
Project description: Investigating the role of neuroimmune dysfunction in autism pathogenesis; sensory-motor deficits in mouse models of autism.
Methodology: Gene expression, neuroanatomy, pharmacology, behavior
Project description: Investigating the role of neuroimmune dysfunction in autism pathogenesis; sensory-motor deficits in mouse models of autism.
Type of internship: Curricular
Open positions: 2
Period: All year
Open positions: 2
Period: All year
Luigi Cattaneo
e-mail: luigi.cattaneo@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: Motor control
Methodology: Neuronavigated TMS (both event-related and offline), coupled with anatomical MR information on the grey matter anatomy and white matter tracts (MR-tractography)
Project description: I am carrying out 2 separate projects:
Group website
General topic: Motor control
Methodology: Neuronavigated TMS (both event-related and offline), coupled with anatomical MR information on the grey matter anatomy and white matter tracts (MR-tractography)
Project description: I am carrying out 2 separate projects:
- Description and quantification of variability motor evoked potentials and motor behavior with respect to physiological rhythmic activity (respiration-heartbeat) within an allostatic reference frame. We will investigate the reciprocal interaction between visceral and somatic actions in the framework of predictive coding, i.e. how the brain orchestrates visceral-somatic integration to minimize redundant information and to maximize motor control
- The origin of internally-generated actions in the medial frontal lobes. We will investigate how the medial premotor and posterior prefrontal cortices are the output system of motivated behavior, i.e. the product of value-based decisions.
Type of internship: Curricular
Open positions: 3
Period: All year
Open positions: 3
Period: All year
Albrecht Haase
e-mail: albrecht.haase@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: Neuronal coding, Olfaction, Magnetoreception, Neural network dynamics, Gut-Brain Axis, Learning & Memory
Methodology: Two-photon microscopy, Calcium imaging, Data analysis, Machine Learning, Neural network models
Project description: We offer an involvement in different projects on the above-mentioned topics. Our core facility is a two-photon in vivo imaging platform, our standard models are honeybees, fruit flies, and ants. Interns will receive training in all required techniques, like in vivo morphological and functional imaging, advanced image analysis, machine learning, automatized behavioural assays, statistical data analysis, beekeeping, programming platforms: MATLAB, Python.
Group website
General topic: Neuronal coding, Olfaction, Magnetoreception, Neural network dynamics, Gut-Brain Axis, Learning & Memory
Methodology: Two-photon microscopy, Calcium imaging, Data analysis, Machine Learning, Neural network models
Project description: We offer an involvement in different projects on the above-mentioned topics. Our core facility is a two-photon in vivo imaging platform, our standard models are honeybees, fruit flies, and ants. Interns will receive training in all required techniques, like in vivo morphological and functional imaging, advanced image analysis, machine learning, automatized behavioural assays, statistical data analysis, beekeeping, programming platforms: MATLAB, Python.
Type of internship: Curricular/Post-graduate
Open positions: 4
Period: All year
Open positions: 4
Period: All year
Uri Hasson
e-mail:uri.hasson@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: NeuroAI, Computational models of cognition
Methodology: We model behavior and brain function using computational models
Project description: Interns will be involved in using DNNs to model how the brain represents lexical, visual and multimodal information. Involvement in project requires prior knowledge with Python, and interest or experience in using deep neural networks.
Type of internship: Curricular
Open positions: 3
Period: All year
Christoph Huber-Huber
e-mail: christoph@huber-huber.at
General topic: Visual perception and attention with a focus on eye movements
Methodology: MEG, EEG, eye-tracking, behaviour
Project description: Internships are offered for all stages of the full research cycle within three lines of research: (1) the link between gaze behaviour, brain oscillations, and memory/hippocampal activity, (2) naturalistic and trans-saccadic visual perception, including reading, (3) neural correlates of conscious vision
Methodology: MEG, EEG, eye-tracking, behaviour
Project description: Internships are offered for all stages of the full research cycle within three lines of research: (1) the link between gaze behaviour, brain oscillations, and memory/hippocampal activity, (2) naturalistic and trans-saccadic visual perception, including reading, (3) neural correlates of conscious vision
Type of internship: Curricular
Open positions: 3
Period: All year
Open positions: 3
Period: All year
Andrea Messina
e-mail: andrea.messina@unitn.it
General topic: Brain Asymmetry, Behavioral Laterality, Zebrafish models for Neurodevelopmental disorders
Methodology: Gene expression, neuroanatomy, animal behavior, neural development, transgenesis
Project description: Focusing on brain asymmetries, we explore how alterations in cerebral lateralization impact behavioral laterality in zebrafish model for Williams-Beuren syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Type of internship: Curricular
Open positions: 2
Period: All year
Uwe Mayer
e-mail: uwe.mayer@unitn.it
General topic: Neurobiology of Comparative Cognition
Methodology: Animal behavior measurements in combination with neurobiological, neurophysiological and neuroanatomical methods
Project description: We are interested in the study of brain functions from a comparative perspective using birds as animal models. We are currently running various projects investigating the neurobiological basis of spatial and social cognition, visual system and taste perception in domestic chicks. Please write us an email for more details.
Methodology: Animal behavior measurements in combination with neurobiological, neurophysiological and neuroanatomical methods
Project description: We are interested in the study of brain functions from a comparative perspective using birds as animal models. We are currently running various projects investigating the neurobiological basis of spatial and social cognition, visual system and taste perception in domestic chicks. Please write us an email for more details.
Type of internship: Curricular
Open positions: 4
Period: All year
Open positions: 4
Period: All year
Simona Monaco
e-mail: simona.monaco@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: Action and Cognition
Methodology: Behavioural and neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG) methods
Project description:
Group website
General topic: Action and Cognition
Methodology: Behavioural and neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG) methods
Project description:
- We investigate how we use vision and touch to perceive objects and guide actions
- We examine the role of human brain areas in anticipating the sensory consequences of our actions.
Type of internship: Curricular/Tirocinio Pratico Valutativo
Open positions: 2
Period: All year
Period: All year
Eugenio Parise
e-mail: eugenio.parise@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: Infant Cognitive Development
Methodology: EEG/ERP, EEG frequency tagging, Eye tracker, behavioural methods
Project description:
Group website
General topic: Infant Cognitive Development
Methodology: EEG/ERP, EEG frequency tagging, Eye tracker, behavioural methods
Project description:
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Cognitive basis of social communication in infants
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Language development and understanding of words
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Core physic knowledge.
Type of internship: Curricular/TVP
Open positions: 6
Period: All year
Open positions: 6
Period: All year
Manuela Piazza
e-mail: manuela.piazza@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: number sense, mental calculation, dyscalculia, abstraction of structures, cognitive maps, semantic memory, concepts
Methodology: behavioral, fMRI, EEG
Project description: various projects with infants, children, and adults in the above-mentioned areas.
Group website
General topic: number sense, mental calculation, dyscalculia, abstraction of structures, cognitive maps, semantic memory, concepts
Methodology: behavioral, fMRI, EEG
Project description: various projects with infants, children, and adults in the above-mentioned areas.
Type of internship: Curricular; Erasmus/International programs
Open positions: 4
Period: All year
Open positions: 4
Period: All year
Orsola Rosa Salva
e-mail: orsola.rosasalva@unitn.it
General topic: The general aim is to investigate fundamental cognitive mechanisms, present already in the early post-natal development of different species, that allow the development of sophisticated cognitive skills. This is approached using the hatchlings of a precocial avian species (domestic chicks) as animal models. Within the field of animal/comparative cognition, I am currently focusing on the following areas:
General topic: The general aim is to investigate fundamental cognitive mechanisms, present already in the early post-natal development of different species, that allow the development of sophisticated cognitive skills. This is approached using the hatchlings of a precocial avian species (domestic chicks) as animal models. Within the field of animal/comparative cognition, I am currently focusing on the following areas:
- numerical cognition and abstraction of regularities from the environment, allowing flexible and adaptive behaviour
- structural and functional lateralization in the avian brain (and its contribution to cognitive development)
Most research lines are designed to be interpreted in a comparative perspective to the human developmental literature (comparable tasks studied in human infants).
Methodology: Behavioural experiments with domestic chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus). Tests of spontaneous preferences between different visual or auditory stimuli in naive animals. Imprinting experiments (learning by exposure through filial imprinting, followed by recognition and generalisation tests). Methodologies for the automated tracking and measurements of animal behaviour
Project description: Students can be assigned to one of the following projects:
Methodology: Behavioural experiments with domestic chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus). Tests of spontaneous preferences between different visual or auditory stimuli in naive animals. Imprinting experiments (learning by exposure through filial imprinting, followed by recognition and generalisation tests). Methodologies for the automated tracking and measurements of animal behaviour
Project description: Students can be assigned to one of the following projects:
- crossmodal transfer of numerical information (e.g., experiencing one numerosity in the visual modality and recognising it when presented acoustically)
- acoustical imprinting studies on numerical stimuli
- lateralisation studies (visual functional lateralisation or structural lateralization of neural responses/neuroanatomical features).
Type of internship: Curricular and Tirocinio Pratico Valutativo (one semester per student only, for the professional training)
Open positions: 4
Period: All year
Open positions: 4
Period: All year
Stefania Pighin
e-mail: stefania.pighin@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: Mental simulation, decision-making under stress, medical decision-making, probabilistic reasoning
Methodology: Behavioral studies
Project description: We are currently engaged in several projects on the aforementioned topics. Students have the opportunity to participate in various stages of the experimental process, including planning, data collection, and analysis. Experiments are conducted both within the laboratory and in real-world settings.
Type of internship: Curricular
Open positions: 2
Period: All year
Valeria Anna Sovrano
e-mail: valeriaanna.sovrano@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: Animal cognition
Methodology: Behavioral observation, visual discrimination test, operant conditioning, drug administration
Project description: Studying fish, as animal cognition's model; spatial representation, objects categorization, visual and extra-visual perception, brain lateralization, biological basis of social behavior, numerical skills.
Group website
General topic: Animal cognition
Methodology: Behavioral observation, visual discrimination test, operant conditioning, drug administration
Project description: Studying fish, as animal cognition's model; spatial representation, objects categorization, visual and extra-visual perception, brain lateralization, biological basis of social behavior, numerical skills.
Type of internship: Curricular/Tirocinio Pratico Valutativo
Open positions: 7
Period: All year
Open positions: 7
Period: All year
Luca Turella
e-mail: luca.turella@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: Control of movements - Understanding of actions and intentions
Methodology: fMRI/MEG/behavioral
Project description: The student can be involved in two different types of projects: the first project aims to characterize the neural representations of the actions we perform in everyday life; the second project aims to characterize the neural networks underlying the understanding of the action and the intentions of others.
Group website
General topic: Control of movements - Understanding of actions and intentions
Methodology: fMRI/MEG/behavioral
Project description: The student can be involved in two different types of projects: the first project aims to characterize the neural representations of the actions we perform in everyday life; the second project aims to characterize the neural networks underlying the understanding of the action and the intentions of others.
Type of internship: Curricular/Tirocinio Pratico Valutativo
Open positions: 4
Period: All year
Open positions: 4
Period: All year
Moritz Wurm
e-mail: moritz.wurm@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: Using dynamic representational similarity analysis to investigate the neural representation of dynamic events and actions
Methodology: MEG, psychophysics, kinematic recordings
Project description: Please consult the group's website for further details of the research projects. Students will be offered the opportunity to be involved in various experimental phases (from literature research to experiment design, data collection and data analysis).
Group website
General topic: Using dynamic representational similarity analysis to investigate the neural representation of dynamic events and actions
Methodology: MEG, psychophysics, kinematic recordings
Project description: Please consult the group's website for further details of the research projects. Students will be offered the opportunity to be involved in various experimental phases (from literature research to experiment design, data collection and data analysis).
Type of internship: Curricular/Erasmus/International programs
Open positions: 2
Period: All
Open positions: 2
Period: All
Roberto Zamparelli
e-mail: roberto.zamparelli@unitn.it
Group website
General topic: Psycholinguistics, sentence processing, mental language generation
Methodology: EEG, ERP, behavioral experiments, data analysis, modeling;
Project description: As part of our "mind reading" project (subjects listen to sentences and are asked to repeat them in their head; we use the EEG signal in one condition to predict the other, focusing on the difference between normal and semantically deviant sentences), we are looking for interns who can help data collection in the Fedrigotti labs, and ideally help with data analysis (ERP, MVPA)
Type of internship: Curricular
Open positions: 1
Period: All year