Neurobot » PostDoc in computational neuroscience

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Oct
PostDoc in computational neuroscience

University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering

Senior Research Associate in Computational Neuroscience
A position exists for a Senior Research Associate (equivalent of a senior postdoctoral fellow) to work on theories of spike timing-based memory in the hippocampus.

The project is funded by the Wellcome Trust and will involve work in the group of Mate Lengyel at the recently established Computational and Biological Learning Lab in close collaboration with Peter Dayan (Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, UCL, www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk). The project also involves collaboration with the groups of Ole Paulsen (Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford University, noggin.physiol.ox.ac.uk) and Francesco Battaglia (SILS Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, http://www.sils-cns.nl/PGBattaglia.html) providing direct access to relevant in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological data.
The aim of the project is to develop normative theories of spike-timing based interactions (neural dynamics and synaptic plasticity rules) between hippocampal neurons for efficient memory processing that make testable prediction at the electrophysiological level (starting from Lengyel et al, Nat Neurosci 2005; Lengyel & Dayan, Advances in NIPS 2007).
The successful candidate will have a strong analytical background and demonstrable interest in theoretical neuroscience. They should have a PhD or equivalent in computational neuroscience, physics, mathematics, computer science, machine learning or a related field. Preference will be given to candidates with sufficient programming skills to run numerical simulations (eg. in C or MatLab) and expertise with neural network models, analysis of dynamical systems, and Bayesian techniques. Familiarity with the neurobiology of the hippocampus is an advantage.
The appointment will be for 1 year initially (extendable subject to funding) starting 1 January 2010 or as soon as possible thereafter. Salary is highly competitive and is in the range £36,532 to £46,278 p.a.
The cover sheet for applications, PD18 is available from www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/personnel/forms/pd18/. Parts I, II and III should be sent, preferably by e-mail, with a letter of application, a statement of research interests, and a CV (in pdf or plain text formats if possible) with the names and full contact details (including e-mail addresses) of three referees to Ms Diane Unwin, Department of Engineering, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, (Tel +44 (0)1223 3 32600, Fax +44 (0)1223 3 32662, email dsu21(at)cam(dot)ac(dot)uk) so as to reach her not later than 9 October 2009. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 23 October, 2009.
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