Student research project
Does melatonin suppression see motion?
Testing whether visual dynamics matter for a physiological response to light.
The question
Light can influence melatonin, but does it matter whether a visual scene moves? This question connects visual processing with the pathways through which light affects circadian physiology.
The project
Investigate visual dynamics in a controlled human photobiology study. Work may connect documented light stimulation with melatonin measurements and analysis of individual physiological responses. The advert does not specify the experimental stimulus design.
What you will do
- Review visual motion processing and the measurement of melatonin responses.
- Contribute to preparation, quality assurance and supervised data collection, subject to approvals and training.
- Develop a reproducible analysis that addresses measurement variability and uncertainty.
Possible scope
A thesis could combine experimental delivery and analysis. A shorter research placement could focus on measurement quality or an agreed analytical component. Careful laboratory work and interest in quantitative physiology are valuable.
How to apply
Send a short motivation, CV, relevant skills, preferred project, dates, format and location. Mention external funding. Contact Prof. Manuel Spitschan using the address below.
Location, timing and scope are agreed with the supervisor; availability depends on capacity and the work involved.