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PhD position in sensorimotor control, learning, and decision-making at the University of Verona, Italy
The University of Verona (Italy) is offering a 3 years Ph.D scholarship in Kinesiology and Sport Sciences within the Ph.D. School in Life and Health Sciences (deadline August 3rd, 2026). The candidates will have the opportunity to work in the area of sensorimotor control and learning under the supervision of Dr. Matteo Bertucco. The Ph.D. position focuses on how perceived risk and effort costs influence the acquisition of motor skills in contexts that require decision-making. Through a combination of behavioral experiments and computational modeling, the research aims to identify the mechanisms by which the human sensorimotor system integrates cost-related information during learning. Drawing on frameworks from optimal control, risk-aware theories and statistical decision-making, the project will develop models that capture how trade-offs between effort, risk, and expected outcomes shape motor learning and action selection. The results are expected to enhance our understanding of decision-dependent motor learning and support the development of personalized training strategies and neuroadaptive technologies for complex, uncertain environments.
The laboratory is located at the School of Human Movement and Sport Sciences within the Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences. The Department is among the most dynamic and prolific academic environments in Europe in Neuroscience and the School of Human Movement and Sport Sciences has been ranked among the best 10 Schools of Sport Sciences in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (2025). The laboratory is equipped with VICON Motion Camera system, 2 force plates, 16 channels wireless EMG, accelerometers, TMS, TDCS and eye-tracking. Highly qualified laboratories in neuro-imaging, cognitive neuroscience and exercise physiology are also located within the Department with possibilities for interdisciplinary collaborations. Moreover, the laboratory is currently collaborating with national and international universities and research institutions (Europe and USA).
We seek a candidate with a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Biomedical, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. Skills in MATLAB and experience with kinematics, dynamics and EMG data collection and analysis are highly welcome.
Interested applicants should contact Dr. Matteo Bertucco, matteo.bertucco@univr.it
The laboratory is located at the School of Human Movement and Sport Sciences within the Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences. The Department is among the most dynamic and prolific academic environments in Europe in Neuroscience and the School of Human Movement and Sport Sciences has been ranked among the best 10 Schools of Sport Sciences in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (2025). The laboratory is equipped with VICON Motion Camera system, 2 force plates, 16 channels wireless EMG, accelerometers, TMS, TDCS and eye-tracking. Highly qualified laboratories in neuro-imaging, cognitive neuroscience and exercise physiology are also located within the Department with possibilities for interdisciplinary collaborations. Moreover, the laboratory is currently collaborating with national and international universities and research institutions (Europe and USA).
We seek a candidate with a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Biomedical, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. Skills in MATLAB and experience with kinematics, dynamics and EMG data collection and analysis are highly welcome.
Interested applicants should contact Dr. Matteo Bertucco, matteo.bertucco@univr.it