Location Portugal, with option of Lyon, France
Start date Autumn 2026
Duration 1 year, with a possible extension of up to 3 further years, subject to funding
Employment [Full-time or employment percentage to be confirmed]
Application deadline 1 November 2026
We are seeking an organised, independent and motivated coordinator to help deliver an international study of advanced meditation, working across contemplative retreat and neuroscience research settings.
About the study
The Nature of Mind (NOM) Study investigates the phenomenology and neurocognitive mechanisms of advanced meditation, with a particular focus on recognition of the Nature of Mind as described in Tibetan contemplative traditions. The programme combines rigorous experimental methods with detailed first-person investigations of meditation experience.
The consortium is coordinated by Antoine Lutz (INSERM, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, France). Its investigators include Michael Sheehy (University of Virginia, USA), John Dunne (University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA), Olaf Blanke (EPFL, Switzerland), Ruben Laukkonen (University of Oxford, UK) and Miguel Castelo-Branco (University of Coimbra, Portugal).
The project brings together cognitive neuroscience, contemplative science, psychology and neurophenomenology, in collaboration with international academic institutions and experienced meditation practitioners. Extended periods of meditation practice and retreat are combined with behavioural and neuroscientific research sessions.
The position
You will play a central role in the day-to-day organisation and supervision of the study, working closely with principal investigators, researchers, international collaborators, retreat organisers and participants. The role would particularly suit someone interested in the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and contemplative practice who enjoys working in an international, interdisciplinary environment.
Responsibilities and working environment
You will coordinate and supervise the administrative, regulatory, organisational and logistical aspects of the study.
Key responsibilities
- Study coordination. Oversee day-to-day delivery of the research protocol and ensure that study activities follow approved procedures.
- Ethics and regulatory coordination. Support the preparation, organisation and maintenance of ethics and regulatory documentation, and liaise with institutional partners.
- Participant coordination. Support recruitment, screening, communication, scheduling and follow-up, and serve as a point of contact for participants throughout the study.
- Experimental sessions and data collection. Coordinate participants, researchers, equipment, facilities and experimental procedures for neuroscience and behavioural data collection. Ensure that practical arrangements are organised and documented.
- Retreat coordination. Work with the scientific team and retreat organisers to integrate research activities with the retreat schedule and meditation programme.
- International collaboration. Facilitate communication among academic, institutional and contemplative partners, and serve as a point of contact for collaborators.
- Meetings and scheduling. Organise project meetings, research visits, experimental sessions and other study activities.
- Study documentation. Maintain accurate, up-to-date records, protocols, schedules, participant documentation and project materials.
- Problem solving. Anticipate logistical difficulties, identify solutions and communicate issues promptly to the scientific team.
Working environment
The role will be based in Portugal, at the retreat centre, the University of Coimbra, or across both settings, depending on the phase and requirements of the study. During preparation, you may be based in Antoine Lutz’s research group at INSERM in Lyon, France.
During retreats, you will work closely with meditation practitioners and retreat organisers. During experimental data collection, you may work with the neuroscience team at the University of Coimbra, including the Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), coordinated by Professor Miguel Castelo-Branco. The university’s research infrastructure includes MRI, PET, EEG, TMS, fNIRS and other modalities.
You should be comfortable moving between retreat and university environments and adapting to different organisational and interpersonal contexts. The role requires professionalism, discretion, excellent communication and sensitivity to contemplative research.
Candidate profile and application
Candidate profile
We are looking for someone with:
- Strong organisational skills, reliability and attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage teams and coordinate scientific collaborators.
- The ability to work independently, prioritise tasks, manage multiple activities and anticipate logistical needs.
- Confidence working in an international, interdisciplinary research environment.
- Fluency in spoken and written English; Portuguese is desirable.
- A strong interest in meditation and contemplative traditions.
- Experience conducting scientific studies, such as experimental data collection, participant recruitment, preparing ethics applications or study coordination.
Ideally, you will have education or training in a scientific or health-related discipline, such as neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science or medicine, and experience coordinating research involving human participants.
Experience in cognitive neuroscience or behavioural research, ethics and regulatory procedures, project or event coordination, or contemplative science would be an advantage. A strong interest in Tibetan Buddhist meditation traditions, particularly Mahāmudrā and/or Dzogchen, is highly desirable; prior expertise is not required.
What we offer
A one-year position, with the possibility of an extension of up to three further years, subject to funding.
You will work with an international team of neuroscientists, psychologists, contemplative researchers and experienced meditation practitioners, contributing to a rigorous investigation of advanced meditation and the phenomenology of the Nature of Mind.
The role spans retreat-based contemplative practice and advanced neuroscience research. Depending on your background and involvement, there may also be opportunities to contribute to and co-author scientific publications.
How to apply
Please submit the following by 1 November 2026:
- Your CV.
- A short cover letter outlining your relevant experience, motivation and interest in the NOM project.
- The names and contact details of two referees.
Send your application to all three addresses:
antoine.lutz@inserm.fr | sheehy@virginia.edu | nomstudycontact@nomstudy.org
Subject line: Research Study Coordinator NOM Study