PhD student positions in theoretical Neurophysics

The Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Göttingen invites applications for PhD student positions in theoretical Neurophysics
The student’s research will analyze dynamical self-organization of the functional architecture of neocortical networks in mathematical models and through the quantitative analysis of high resolution live imaging data from neocortical networks in the living brain. The student’s research will be part of an integrated international project of the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (Göttingen), the Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, USA) and the University of Tokyo (Japan), supported by the Human Frontier Science Program Organization.

PhD students will work towards their doctorate in Göttingen University’s newly established Graduate School, GGNB and collaborate closely with researchers in the US and Japan. We are looking for young researchers with a strong background in computational and theoretical physics or in dynamical systems theory and probabilistic data analysis with a keen interest in interdisciplinary research at the border of Neuroscience and the Physics of Complex Systems. The ideal candidate will have the ability and desire to develop novel approaches for the analysis of dynamical self-organization in living neural networks and to closely collaborate with biological researchers in implementing them in quantitative live imaging experiments. Prior experience in Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, and Theoretical Neuroscience would be advantageous. Prior knowledge of Neurobiology is desirable but not required.
Göttingen is a center of neuroscience in Europe hosting numerous internationally recognized neuroscience research institutions, including three Max Planck Institutes, the European Neuroscience Institute, the German Primate Research Center, and Göttingen University’s Centers for Systems Neuroscience (ZNV) and for the Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CMPB). The BCCN integrates theoretical and experimental research groups from these institutions to foster interdisciplinary research in computational neuroscience specifically supporting close collaboration between theorists and experimental researchers.
Please submit your application preferably in one single PDF-document, including cover letter, CV, list of publications, names of possible referees, relevant certificates until June 15, 2008, to:
jobs@bccn-goettingen.de (Subject: NPhysSO)
While e-mail is preferred, applications may also be submitted in hardcopy to the following address:
Dr. Fred Wolf
Subject: NPhysSO
Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Göttingen
Max-Planck-Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Bunsenstrasse 10
D – 37073 Göttingen, Germany
http://www.ds.mpg.de
The MPIDS is an equal opportunity employer.