Theoretical Biophysics faculty position at UC Berkeley

The Department of Physics at UC Berkeley has a number of faculty searches underway, including one for a biophysics theorist at the assistant professor level.  All areas of biophysics theory are being considered, including neuroscience and single molecule work.  Berkeley has a strong presence in systems and computational neuroscience and offers a good environment for theorists to collaborate with experimentalists.  The Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience in particular houses a number of theoretical labs and provides a rich intellectual environment for students and postdocs to interact.

Note that the deadline for applications is Dec. 5.
The Department of Physics at UC Berkeley has a number of faculty searches underway, including one for a biophysics theorist at the assistant professor level.  All areas of biophysics theory are being considered, including neuroscience and single molecule work.  Berkeley has a strong presence in systems and computational neuroscience and offers a good environment for theorists to collaborate with experimentalists.  The Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience in particular houses a number of theoretical labs and provides a rich intellectual environment for students and postdocs to interact.

Note that the deadline for applications is Dec. 5.



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Bruno A. Olshausen
Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute & School of Optometry
Director, Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience
UC Berkeley
575A Evans hall, MC 3198
Berkeley, CA 94720-3198
(510) 642-7250 / 2-7206 (fax)
http://redwood.berkeley.edu/bruno

One PhD Research Position in Neuroinformatics is available immediately for a period of three years at the Institute of Computational Neuroscience of the University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg University, Germany

One PhD Research Position in Neuroinformatics is available immediately for a period of three years at the Institute of Computational Neuroscience of the University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg University, Germany (www.uke.de/icns).

The goal of the project 'Architecture and connectivity of the cerebral cortex'  is to investigate relationships between different structural parameters and the organization of nerve fiber networks in the brain, in order to reveal fundamental structural principles of the nervous system.  The research will be carried out in close cooperation with the Barbas lab at Boston University, USA.  The project requires systematic compilation and multivariate analyses of quantitative neuroanatomic data, eg, Hilgetag & Grant NeuroImage 51(2010), 1006, based on experimental data of our partners as well as the evaluation of literature databases.  In addition, the project involves computational modeling of developmental mechanisms.

Candidates for the position are expected to have a very good university degree (at the level of Master, or German Diplom), and a background in Neuroscience, Biomedicine, Computer Science, Physics or related  disciplines, as well as solid programming skills (e.g., C++/Python/Matlab).  Successful candidates also have practical research experience in at least one of the following areas:  statistical analyses or computational modeling of complex systems.  Candidates also need to have an excellent command of written and spoken English.

Applications  should include a CV, a statement of research motivation and interests, as well as contact details of two referees.  Applications should be send by mail to: Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, GB Personal, Recht & Organisation, Frau Schild,  Kzf.: 2011-11/332, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg oder electronically (as a pdf file of max 2MB) to: bewerbung@uke-hh.de.  Applications should arrive by 12 Dec 2011.

Informal inquiries about the positions can be made to: Prof. Claus Hilgetag (phone: ++49.(0)40.7410.53698 or E-Mail:c.hilgetag@uke.de).  The University of Hamburg seeks to increase the number of female scientists and encourages them to apply. Disabled people with equal qualifications are preferred.



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|| Claus C. Hilgetag, PhD
|| Professor & Director | Dept. of Computational Neuroscience
|| University Medical Center Eppendorf | Hamburg University
|| www.uke.uni-hamburg.de/icns
|| Adjunct Associate Professor | Boston University
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Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice what is adequately explained by stupidity.

PhD Studentship in Computational Modelling of Mental Health

University of Ulster - Intelligent Systems Research Centre (Faculty of Computing and Engineering)

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship tenable in the Computational Neuroscience Team, Intelligent Systems Research Centre (Faculty of Computing and Engineering), Magee Campus, University of Ulster.

The planned programme of research relates to computational and systems neuroscience in the context of mental health. Specifically the research encompasses the development of computational models related to major depressive disorder (MDD), informed by experiment. The successful applicant will develop and evaluate multi-scale models of brain regions implicated in MDD, and attempt to relate model performance to observed behaviours in humans and animal. As such the project will require the successful candidate to develop skills in computational neuroscience and, to a lesser extent, aspects of biomedical sciences.

All applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject, such as in computer science, electronics, physics, mathematics or neuroscience. Applicants must be highly motivated and willing to pursue research and develop skills across the disciplines of computing and biomedical sciences. Successful candidates will enrol as of January 2012, on a full-time programme of research studies leading to the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

The studentship will comprise fees (Home and EU) and an annual stipend of £13,590 and will be awarded for a period of up to three years subject to satisfactory progress. 

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 9 December 2011

Interviews will be held late December 2011

Project title NeuroDep: Computational Modeling of Major Depressive Disorder

If you wish to discuss the specified research project or receive advice relating to the research in the area of computational neuroscience please contact Professor Martin McGinnity e: tm.mcginnity@ulster.ac.uk

Application materials may be obtained from:

Apply online www.ulster.ac.uk/applyonline or application materials are available from:  Research Office, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA

t: (0) 28 701 24729, e: researchstudent@ulster.ac.uk or w: www.ulster.ac.uk/researchstudy

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/ADO337/phd-studentship-in-computational-modelling-of-mental-health/?utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed

Oportunidades na Bélgica

The Department of Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, is offering two post-doctoral positions, with an earliest possible start date of 1 February 2012. Appointments are for a fixed term of three years (potentially renewable).

 See:

http://www.ugent.be/nl/nieuwsagenda/vacatures/aap/

for the Dutch-language version of the announcements.

Post 1 (Reference:  PP02 2012/02/01):  motor cognition

We expect successful candidates to conduct research in the domain of action representation (motor cognition) and praxis, including disorders and treatment following brain damage.  We expect the candidates to make a contribution to teaching, but the research component of the post is minimally 70%. Proficiency in  the Dutch language is not essential.

 Please contact Guy Vingerhoets (guy.vingerhoets@ugent.be +32 9 331 3351) for informal enquiries.

Profile

- You hold the title of Doctor. You need to have defended before you can start the post;

- You have conducted behavioral and/or neuroscientific research on cognitive processes;

-Experience with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and/or event-related potentials (ERP) is considered an asset;

- You have published in widely distributed, international peer-reviewed journals that are relevant to the field;

- You have presented your work at international conferences that are relevant to the field;

- You are able and willing to participate in the department's teaching program

Post 2 (Reference:  PP02 2012/02/2):  cognitive experimental psychology / cognitive neuroscience

We expect successful candidates to conduct research in the domain of cognitive experimental psychology and/or cognitive neuroscience, ideally within one or more of the department's current interests (e.g., Psycholinguistics, Cognitive Control, Executive Functions, Working Memory, Numerical Cognition, Computational Modeling; see http://expsy.ugent.be/research/).  We expect the candidates to make a contribution to teaching, but the research component of the post is minimally 70%. Proficiency in  the Dutch language is not essential. This post can be filled in on part-time basis.

Please contact Robert Hartsuiker (robert.hartsuiker@ugent.be +32 9 264 6436) for informal enquiries.

Profile

- You hold the title of Doctor. You need to have defended before you can start the post;

- You have conducted behavioral and/or neuroscientific research on cognitive processes;

-Experience with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or event-related potentials (ERP) is considered an asset;

- You have published in widely distributed, international peer-reviewed journals that are relevant to the field;

- You have presented your work at international conferences that are relevant to the field;

- You are able and willing to participate in the department's teaching program

Deadline:  Applications need to be in by 14 December 2011. Please quote the relevant reference number and indicate in your cover letter for which of the posts you are applying; send in separate applications if you wish to apply for both posts.

Please send your application, including your CV and a copy of your PhD diploma (or proof of your defense date) by registered post ("aangetekende brief") to:

Directie Personeel en Organisatie

Universiteit Gent

Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25

9000 Gent

Belgium

PhD-Positions, Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctoral Program "EuroSPIN" (European Study Programme in Neuroinformatics)

Neuroinformatics combines neuroscience and informatics research to develop and apply computational tools and approaches that are essential for understanding the structure and function of the brain.

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctoral Program "EuroSPIN" (European Study Programme in Neuroinformatics) is inviting applications from students having a solid background in mathematics, physics, computer sciences, biochemistry or neuroscience (on a master level or equivalent), in all cases with computer science skills. Documented interest in research like activities (e.g. demonstrated in the form of master thesis work, or participation in research related activities) is of large importance. Also fluency in English is requested.

The four partrners below participate. They are all research leaders in the Neuroinformatics field, but they have complementary strengths. In addition, two associated partners, the Honda Research Institute and Nordita, participate.

Each student will spend most of the time at two of the partner universities, and also receive a joint (or double) PhD degree following a successful completion of the studies. The mobility periods, as well as the courses a student will follow, are tailored individually based on: a) the PhD students background; b) which constellations of partners that are involved, as well as c) the specific research project. During the PhD period each student has one main supervisor from each of the two universities that grant the PhD degree.

There are excellent scholarship opportunities for students accepted to an Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate programme. An employment contract will be given to all selected PhD students during the study time, which is 4 years.

If you are interested, go to our webpage: www.kth.se/eurospin

Deadline for Application (both EU and non-EU students): 30 Nov 2011.

Higher-order correlations among spiking neurons induced by network structure

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Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Stefan Rotter (Bernstein Center Freiburg, Germany)
              Prof. Dr. John Hertz (NORDITA, Stockholm, Sweden)
              Prof. Dr. Erik Aurell (KTH, Stockholm, Sweden)

Aim of the project:
Nerve cells are highly sensitive to synchronous input from larger groups of neurons [1]. Which synchronous patterns are favored by a recurrent network, therefore, depends to a large degree on network structure. Recently, we were able to dissect the contribution of specific structural motifs in networks of arbitrary topology to pairwise correlations [3], based on a minimal model for networks of spiking neurons [2]. The case of higher-order correlations, however, is complicated by the fact that several different concepts to describe multi-neuron interactions are in use. The so-called log-linear model represents a generalization of the well-studied Ising model [4,5] and therefore permits one to exploit techniques from statistical physics. Models based on stochastic point processes, on the other hand, have frequently been employed as generative models in neuroscience [1,6]. These represent a suitable starting point to develop efficient methods for neuronal data analysis, because they admit a natural link to multivariate cumulants [6]. In this project, we strive to generalize our dynamical systems approach to build a concrete physical interpretation of higher-order correlations and find out which network motifs are responsible for their generation. Recent methodological developments in neuroanatomy that allow one to assess the microstructure of brain networks at an unprecedented level (“connectomics”), in fact, generate a demand for a theory of this sort.

1.      Kuhn A, Aertsen A, Rotter S. Higher-order statistics of input ensembles and the response of simple model neurons. Neural Computation 15(1): 67-101, 2003
2.      Hawkes AG. Point spectra of some mutually exciting point processes. J R Stat Soc Series B Methodol 33: 438-443, 1971
3.      Pernice V, Staude B, Cardanobile S, Rotter S. How Structure Determines Correlations in Neuronal Networks. PLoS Computational Biology 7(5): e1002059, 2011
4.      Roudi Y, Aurell E, Hertz JA. Statistical physics of pairwise probability models. Front Comput Neurosci 3: 22, 2009
5.      Roudi Y, Hertz J. Mean field theory for nonequilibrium network reconstruction. Phys Rev Lett 106(4): 048702, 2011
6.      Staude B, Grün S, Rotter S. Higher-order correlations and cumulants. In: Grün S, Rotter S (eds) Analysis of Parallel Spike Trains. Springer Series in Computational Neuroscience, Volume 7, 2010

Profile of the ideal candidate:
We seek a statistical physicist, mathematician or computational neuroscientist who is able to perform creative research along the lines described above. The ability to interact successfully with colleagues from other disciplines, in particular from neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, will be necessary. He/she will be enrolled in the PhD program in Computational Neuroscience at the BCF (http://www.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/teaching-and-training/phd-program). We plan a joint supervision by Stefan Rotter (Freiburg), John Hertz (Copenhagen & Stockholm) and Erik Aurell (Stockholm).

Application deadline is November 30, 2011

Please apply here: www.kth.se/eurospin

"The role of dichotomous properties of D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons for the dynamics and function of striatum"

"The role of dichotomous properties of D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons for the dynamics and function of striatum"

Supervisors: Dr. Arvind Kumar (Bernstein Center Freiburg, Germany)
              Prof. Ad Aertsen (Bernstein Center Freiburg, Germany)
              Prof. Gilad Silberberg (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden)

Aim of the project:
The striatum is the main input station of the basal ganglia and is strongly associated with motor and cognitive functions. It is a recurrently connected network of GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs), which receive strong feedforward inhibition from the fast spiking interneurons and massive excitatory afferents from various regions of the neocortex via the cortico-striatal projection neurons. Interestingly, neighboring MSNs do not share their presynaptic inputs. Recently, we have shown that this special structure of cortico-striatal projections provides optimal conditions for the representation of cortical inputs in the striatum.
The MSN population in the striatum can be segregated into two types:  D1 type MSNs project to the globus palidus external (indirect path) and D2 MSNs project to the globus palidus internal (direct path). Recent experiments have revealed a great degree of differences between D1 and D2 MSNs in terms of their morphology, integration properties, synaptic dynamics and connectivity.
In this project we want to understand the consequences of these different neuronal, synaptic, and network properties of the two types of MSNs for the striatal activity dynamics and representation of cortical inputs. To address this question we will use a combined experimental and theoretical approach. Relevant experiments will be conducted in the lab of Prof. Gilad Silberberg (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden). Analysis of experimental data and development of network models will be done in the lab of Dr. Arvind Kumar and Prof. Ad Aertsen (Bernstein Center Freiburg).

Profile of the ideal candidate:
We are looking for candidates with a strong background in Physics or Electrical Engineering and a genuine interest in Neuroscience, who are interested in interdisciplinary research and are willing to learn and perform neurophysiology in animal experiments.

Application deadline is November 30, 2011

Please apply here: www.kth.se/eurospin